Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

BUILDING OF THE TRAIN-FERRY “BAIKAL.” 73 REMOVING BOILER FROM TRUCK. S-) the word “ Zaftra,” which, like “ Manana ” —a word very popular in Spain—means “ to-morrow,” is often heard. The early part of the winter of 1898-99 was not quite so severe as the previous one, and enabled the work to proceed at a fair pace. After the framing had all been 6 The “ faired ” in place, a com- .. 1 Plating. mencement was made with the plating of the sides, and the double bottom was completed. The lack of appliances at this part of the structure was a great draw- back, and a lot of extra labour had to be in which the imported workmen, being much in the minority, furnished the majority of the victims. Although many of the natives were quite unaccustomed to this class of work, they picked it up so rapidly that before very long they were just as useful as the “ professionals.” The Russian workman in this part of the world is a sort of Jack-of-all-trades, his kit of tools consisting of a hatchet and sometimes a saw. With his hatchet he can do almost anything, from chopping firewood • to dove- tailing and carving. He is a very handy man —when he has not looked upon the vodka bottle. Fig. 2 shows the vessel with some twenty-odd frames erected. The process of framing was very slow. All the appliances were of a very primitive na- Framing ture. There were no the . . , , steam-winches or over- Vessel. head cranes, and every- thing had to be done by hand under very close supervision. As the frequent mistakes caused much delay, it was quite out of the question to have the work “ rushed,” as the Russian work- man goes his own pace, and nothing short of an earthquake will make him move faster. He never does on Monday what he can put off till Tuesday, and employed, there now being 700 men at work. The shell plating was heavy and cumber- some to handle, especially at the ice belt, and much difficulty was experienced in getting some of the plates into their proper position. The men were now working day in, day out, the only break being after two o’clock on Sun- days. The vessel grew surely, if slowly, and the month of June saw the shell completed and a large proportion of the superstruc- ture in place. The appearance of the vessel at this time will stood by referring to Fig. 4. All through the winter and up to this time a lot of work had been going on in connection with the prepar- The Shell completed. be best under- (Fig. 9.) PLACING BOILER ON DECK.