A NEW LIFEBOAT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1930, 4 March 1885, Page 3

A NEW LIFEBOAT.

A model of a lifeboat possessing many points of differenco from thoso at present inusoatHome has been made by Mr Chrichton Strachan, of- St Kil.da. The' model is on a scale' of' l|in' to. the • foot. .It is a well-finished piece of .workmanship, and the details have been carried out with painstaking accuracy. .The stem . and stern-posts, as well -as the keel andconcussion ribs are made of T steel. This plate has a centre-piece, to which, the' phnk ends are secured; and for the gar'-'' board streak to.but against,;..- The 'deck planking is atliwartship, :and - the inner sides are vertical; 'and all tiiiagives additional staunchness and -strength to the boat to resist concussion when- bumping against a ship's side. There is also a valve, which can be Used as a centre board. The build of the boat, is of. such a character .that capsizing is impossible. The floating power of the boat is to be supplied by electricity, and instead of the cylinders being of copper, they are to be madeofpapermache. Thesteer-oarinstead of hanging over'the stern, is passed through '■ an aperture in the stem-post, and the when required, is taken through an opening in the stern. The principle sought to be established by the inventor commends itself when explanations of the working of the model are,.given, and it'is, to be hoped that his idea will be carried out on a practical scalp. A very moderate • sum would suffice for this. The model has been named the Tirocinium, Mr' Strachan has also a plan .of a lifebuoy weighing. only 2j[lb,. It can; be. distinguished in the day-time by a small flag, and when thrown into the water of (unght. there is-a flare, which lasts for pome time, arid points out the position of the buoy. ' .-Thb buoys are stuffed with prepared pith, which is 'very Fight, and a life waiatcoat of this composition, weighing not more than Islb, will buoy up anyone'beyond the possibility'-'of sinking; This pith duty prepared* should pass into very general use if it possesses the qualities claimed for it by the inyontQi', The model of tho lifebuoy is on view at Mr j&racjian's office, Chancery lane, next Temple Court— Molhoune Acgm.