Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

THE BUILDING OF A BATTLESHIP. ii generally alter her shape slightly in the process of launching, owing to the strains which she has to undergo. This accounts for the very curious fact that two ships built from identical designs never give the same result in the matter of speed. The most striking instance of this phenomenon is to be found in the case of the cruisers Blake and Blenheim, the former of which has always been a dismally slow ship, while her sister the Blenheim has a fine record for good steaming. After the launch the inner works are completed ; the armour placed in position, the engines and boilers erected ; the decks closed up where gaps have been left for the passage of the boilers, and the vessel is then ready to receive her armament. The big barbettes fore and aft each receive their two huge 12-inch guns; in the casemates, which are structures of armour built into the hull of the ship, with on the outside 6-inch plate and on the inside 2-inch armour, the 6-inch quick-firing guns are installed ; and the battleship is ready to begin her trials. The first trial is the turning of the engines in the basin, to ascertain whether all the parts fit properly and work. Then follow the steam trials at sea at various speeds, which usually reveal small defects, perhaps requiring some trouble to correct. The bearings in the engines often heat and need fresh adjustment. After the steam trials come exhaustive gunnery trials, in which all the mechanism for handling the guns is tested, and many rounds are fired from each gun. This final trial safely accomplished, the last touches are put to the ship, and she passes into the reserve, or goes directly into commission, hoisting the British flag, and joining one of the main squadrons which guard the British Empire. From first to last her cost will, if she is of the newest type, the King Edward class, displacing 16,500 tons, have been from £1,250,000 upwards, and the time occupied in her completion about three years. H. W. Wilson. Photo: Symonds & Co., Portsmouth. READY FOR ORDERS.