FLOATING WORKSHOP FOR THE BALTIC FLEET.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 885, 7 October 1854, Page 2 (Supplement)

FLOATING WORKSHOP FOR THE BALTIC FLEET.

To the Editor of tbe Times. Sir.—lt might perhaps interest some of your readers to know of n very judicious step which tbe Admiralty bare laken to provide speedy means of effecting repairs of the machinery of any of the engines of the Baltic fleet, bv having" determined on equipping the Volcantr steam Frigate as a complete engineer's workshop, i teud upon tbe fleet in the Baltic, and so carry the workshop along side of any ship requiring repairs of its machinery, thus effecting such repairs then and there with all promptness. By tbe judicious arrangement of tbe Surveyor of the Navy, the first deck of the Volcano has been fitted so as to yield a most commodious workshop, 10 feet high , from floor S roof, 104 feet long, by 30 feet wide, i a which are placed in most convenient arrangement a 12horse power independent steam engine and boiler, to supply power and motion to the various machines and tools forming the equipment of this floating workshop, which tools aud machinery consist of one very powerful turning lathe, and three others of graduated capabilities one powerful and one smaller planing machine, two boiler-plate punching and shearing machines, four drillin" aiid boriug machines, one Nasmyth's patent steam hammer, and four forges, one cupola capable of melting 30 cwt. of iron or brass for the execution of any castiug of that or less weight, together with appropriate foundry apparatus and material; one hlowing fan to supply, blast to the forges and foundry cupola, besides grindstones, anvils, vices, and all the minor implements, forming a very complete and efficient engineer establishment. There can be no douht that thi* convenient floating workshop will prove of the utmost vulue to the service. I have had the honour to he intrusted with the equip, ment of this vessel, for which I have sent off the whoL> of the above-named machinery, and which !► now being fitted to the vessel in question, lying for that purpose in the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich, and will be ready for sea in a few days. Should you think a notice cf this most practical and judicious proceeding of the Admiralty worthy of your attention, I shall feel much pleasure in having thus supplied you witb these authentic particulars. Believe me I am Yours most respectfully, Jam Li Nasmytu, Bridgwater Foundry, Pairicofr, Neae Manchester, May 31.

The Eastern Steam Navigation Company's Great Stiameb of 22,000 Tons.—The immense screw and paddle steamer, building at the yard of Messrs S:ott, Russell, at MillwalJ, for the Eastern Steam Navigation Companj, is to be completed in {waive mouths. Her keel has been laid down, and several of her bulkheads, compartments, are raistd, and the works are proceeding a with energy and expedition. A railroad has been hid down along the entire length of her way, to facilitate the conveyance of th; materials from the factory to the different parts of the vessel. The exact dimensions of the ship areas follow :—Tonnage, builder's measurement, 22,000 tons; tonnage T>urthen, 10,0,0 tons; I extreme length, 680 feet; extreme breadth, 83 feet; extreme depth, 58 feet ; power of engines (screw sad paddle) 2600 horse. Her engines are in the course of erection by Messrs. James "Watt and Co. of Sob >, and Me.-srs. Scott Russell, and will be fitted in *tbe vessel before she is fljated off. The hull will be entirely of • iro:i, and of more than usual strength, the magnitude of her size ei;abli:iflr Mr. Brunei, the architect, to intrpmany precautionary measures couducive both il support and security. From ber keel up to six feet above the water line, is double, of a cellular construeti n. The upper deck will also be strengthened on the same principle, and will forms complete beam, similar to the tube of the Britannia bridge, so tSiat any external injury will not affect the tightness or the safety of the ship. She is divided into ten separate water tight compartments, each being 60 feet in length, enabling her to take out sufficient fuel for a voyage to Australia and back to England without stopping. ■*■•■