Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

HOW A BATTLESHIP IS FOUGHT. 443 extent the effect of likely fire upon their easily ignited hulls. Now, however, it is too late. They are therefore swung off their chocks or shaped seats, their detaining ropes are sent spinning along the davits that hold them suspended by multiple wheeled pulleys, the entire fastenings are released, and hey presto! the boats are floating, free and alone, in the wake of their former home. The steel davits that had served for the smaller boats, and the weight of which does not preclude such an operation, will be unshipped and laid on the deck, or perhaps even slung into the sea, as dictated by the decision of the moment. All this time, too, the water securely lashed, as, too, are the anchors, chain cables, and articles of all kinds on the outer surface of the ship that might, by the remotest possibility, become loose (or, in naval parlance, “ take charge ”) in the thick of the fight, when no hands could be spared to set the matter right. Other men have been surrounding the bridge and other positions, where officers might find it necessary to stand for the better fighting of their ships, with thick, hanging fringes of rope and matting. These will form a fair protection against shell “ blast ” and splinters ; for it is by no means certain CLEARING DECKS FOR ACTION. {Photo, S. Cribb, Soulhsea.) on each side of the ship resounds with the splash of useless wooden gear being cast ruthlessly away. Elsewhere squads are flinging stanchions and protective side chains flat to the deck or swinging them outboard. They are then that a captain will prefer the protection of the conning tower to the greater freedom, though doubtless greater danger, of his bridge. The ship is now a mere skeleton of her former spick-and-span self; her contour, as she steams towards the foe—also preparing for