The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

FLOATING LOADING DEVICES 491 mounted between the hatches, these structures being connected by a fore and aft girder to which the overhead blocks are attached (see Fig. 684). These girders are also provided with a track-way for the fore and aft transfer of coal for purposes of trimming and bunkering coal. The actual capacity attained under test was 138 tons per hour per hatch. Fig. 685 shows the U.S.S. “Jason” coaling the U.S.S. “Mars.” Floating Coal-Loading Devices Fitted with Temperley Transporters.— These are largely used. They either transport their own contents to the ship to be bunkered, or they transfer the coal from a barge to the bunkers of the vessel, so that the loading device lies between the barge and the vessel. As an example may be cited the one in use at Portsmouth, which holds 12,000 tons of coal for bunkering men-of-war, and carries four towers fitted with twelve transporters, so that the coal can be transferred at the rate of 600 tons per hour. A similar but some- Fig. 685. The U.S.S. “Jason” coaling U.S.S. “Mars.” what smaller installation was built by the Thames Ironworks for Devonport. It has a capacity of 100 tons of coal, which can be transferred to the bunkers of other ships at the rate of 50 to 60 tons per hour. The coaling ship “Neptune,” built by the Maryland Steel Co. for the American Navy, is of different construction. Here the running heads or trolleys supporting the grab do not run on girders similar to other transporters, but on taut wire cables. Portable Transporters.—These are usually called in the service “ Temperleys,” and are used in the British Navy for coaling H.M. war vessels, hundreds having been supplied to the British Admiralty, and a considerable number to the French, Geiman, Russian, Italian, Austrian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chilian, Brazilian, and Argentine Governments. Fig. 687 shows a small coaling craft so fitted. They are also used in increasing numbers on merchant vessels carrying coal, ore, and other cargo in bulk. General Remarks.—From the description of these coaling devices it will be seen that considerable strides have been made of late in the design and development in this