EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
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the sides, having the edges grooved and tongued, and secured to each other by f bolts
driven through the edges in a diagonal direction at about 15 inches apart; in addition
to which, long diagonal iron plates, 4 inches broad by fths of an inch thick, placed at
an angle of 65°, and 2 feet 6 inches from each other, were worked each on a
Dantzic fir plank 2-J inches thick and 9 inches broad, the whole secured by a through
bolt in each outside strake, having a screw point and nut setting up on the diagonal
plate inside the vessel.
It must be obvious to all persons acquainted with the nature of shipbuilding, that
the hull of a vessel so built would offer the greatest advantages to the caulking,
requiring but half the usual quantity of oakum, and that stopped from being driven
through the seams by a strong oak tongue bedded in white-lead uniting the edges
of the planks. The uniform strength of the entire hull has very far exceeded all
expectation, and in the opinion of those acquainted with its nature this method is
admitted to be superior to any yet practised.
PLATE XCIX.
DIAMOND COMPANY’S STEAM PACKET RUBY.
This plate represents a drawing of the Ruby steamer, which belongs to the
“ Diamond” Company, plying between London and Gravesend, and is unquestionably
the fastest boat on the Thames. We do not make this assertion upon mere hearsay,
having had frequent opportunities of satisfying ourselves of the fact. It would be
entering too much into detail to give a statement of the progressively improving
character of the various steam boats which have plied between London and
Gravesend during the last ten years ; it is enough for our present purpose to state
that the “Diamond” and “Star” Companies keep up an establishment, upon an
average, of a dozen boats, of a very superior description, every thing connected with
their appointments being upon a most liberal scale. The vessels belonging to the
“ Diamond ” Company are, the Diamond, Pearl, Gem, Brilliant, Topaz, and Ruby ;
and those belonging to the “ Star ” Company are the Mercury, Star, Comet, Planet,
and Vesper, one of the boats, Medway, having been burnt by accident during the
summer of 1837- Until the beginning of the year 1837 (at which time the Ruby
was placed on the station) the Star was considered to be equal in speed to any of
the above ; indeed it may be said that no vessel that navigated the Thames could