Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

HOW A BATTLESHIP IS FOUGHT. 445 at least will not fail him. In the bunkers black figures toil on the coal, and “ trim ” it into form for the better service of the stokers, who, with a method that is pro- voking in its regularity, feed each furnace in turn, shovel-load by shovel-load. Following on the fire-feeders come those who clear away the ashes, so that the coal newly thrown in may burn with the greatest effect. These have two main tools—the “ devil,” a long hooked iron bar to stir up and level out the white-hot, roaring bank of coals ; and the “ rake.” And down there, in a temperature of tropical intensity, sweating and faint, these men “ devil ” and “ rake ” for their country, as much heroes as any in that im- mense steel beehive. In the torpedo flats, several feet below the level of the water, the torpedo crews are fixing on the war-heads, setting their shining weapons to run at the depth arranged, examining the safety r t catches, removing the safety pins, driving up the pressure in the compressed- air discharge cylinders, and, finally, sliding the steel cigars into the long metal tubes com- municating directly with the outer sea. An incidental work is that of the surgeons. If two are carried, arrangements are made whereby one can operate at each end of the ship ; and, to meet the requirements that may arise, ward-room, gun-room, and even admiral’s quarters will be turned into operating chambers or sick-bays for the wounded. Next, buckets of water and water-soaked oatmeal are placed in every corner of the ship. Last of all comes a general testing of means of communication. The brain of the ship is IN THE ENGINE-ROOM OF A BATTLESHIP. {Photo, Gale and Polden.)