UNSINKABLE SHIPS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2418, 16 December 1880, Page 3

UNSINKABLE SHIPS.

A trial was given on the Thames recently of a model launch built to illustrate a Mr Lamb s system of unsinkable ships. The principle consists in attaching to the sides of the hull of a vessel a series of flat air-tight metallic cylinders or drums, the inner heads of which are built into and form part of the framing and inner skin of the vessel. These drums project on cither side of the ship and are eased in, tbe under sides of the cases normally res'ing upon the surface of the water and becoming slightly immersed under a load. Ihe result is a light draught with great free-board, and it is claimed, that, a greater stability under canvas and a higher rate of speed under steam or safl are thereby attained, besides several other contingent advantages. The system is illustrated by moans of a steel-built steam launch 37ft long. Oft deep,' and sft Sin beam internally. She has seven cylinders fitted on each side, each cylinder being 3ft Gin in diameter and Ift 8m deep, and which give h#r a width on deck of Oft over all. She draws 2ft of water without her load, and lias a freeboard of Ift. The principles of the system and the construction of the launch, which has no pretensions to beauty, were explained to the visitors during a short run, in which a fair speed was maintained, the vessel moving very steadily, Ihere can be no question of the safety of such a vessel under most circumstances as regards her immunity from sinking,, although in applying the principle in practice several questions of detail will have to be met w hich bare not been considered in the launch in question.