THE RAISING QF 7THE

“TOPIAY 19

THE SUNKEN ““UTOPIA

currents and the wind. The broadside view gives an idea of this superstructurc seen sideways (as well as of the position of the hole made by the .usn1), and the scc- tion clearly explains the system of internal struts and shores. The method of attach- ing this superstructurc was new, simple, quick, and ingcnious, rendering unnecessary all boring and drilling by the divers. In the case of the _ Austral, boring = and drilling was avoided by taking advantage of the side-light holes to fix the first of the raising framework. This, however, was a far more laborious and clumsy expedient than that here adopted, in which the gunwale logs, as the founda- tion timbers of the superstructure were called, having been lowered into position, were c/amped to the vessel's bulwarks with just such clamps—much larger and stouter, of course—as are used by joiners. Thus a little screwing-up was all the work necessary’ for the divers in fixing the gunwale logs. The superstructure itself had been planned and prepared by Mr. Armit, at Glasgow, in ten days, and this without a sight of the wreek, and entirely upon tele- graphic information. The strain imposcd upon this superstructure during its ercction by the various sea-currents and the strong south-westerly winds setting dircctly into the Bay, may readily be imagined.” Tt is sufficiently wonderful that such strains should be resisted by the completed fabric, but that they should do no damage to it whilc

BROADSIDE,

1n an incomplete . and, so to speak, . tentative state, 15 wonderful in- deed. We repro- i duce a ~ | graph showing SN the completed ) structure—a pic- ) RN turc which gives, R moreover, a capi- L‘\K“ tal idca of the S situation of the - sunken ship off —..c | Gibraltar town, and of the diving and other opera- tions in progress at the time. Next, the great breach made by the ram of the Auson had to be dealt with. This was an appalling hole, 26 ft. long by 15 ft. wide, torn through iron plates, frames, parts of the engines, and a transverse iron bulkhcad—and all without the slightest damage to the ram which caused it ! Truly a great illustration of the power of the ram, that old wecapon of our fathers, the Vikings, now made modern. The lower edge of this great breach was in 52 ft. of water, and the divers set to work to cover up the hole with oak planks sccured with screw bolts. This they did so efficiently that the patch was not only per- fectly watertight for the remainder of the time spent in the operations, but was left without docking or any further attention during the voyage to the Clyde shipbuilding

photo-

s "/"’""0‘-:_1

el -

SECTION.

yard! The divers who accomplished this feat were Messrs., Stirrat and Templeton. B