104 NIOHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
of the best quality, well seasoned, free from sapwood, shakes, ana
objectionable knots.
6. Bo the Board of Trade make any limit to the width of the planking
in a clincher built boat?
Yes. The extreme breadth of a plank is not to exceed 5$- inches
except in the four strakes next to the keel, of which two may be
7 inches, one 6J inches, and one 6 inches.
In boats 18 feet in length and under the breadth is reduced by
about 1 inch.
The landings should not be less than f of an inch in breadth.
7. What is the thickness of the planking in a clincher built boat?
It varies between J and f of an inch. The eight bottom strakes
(four on each side of the keel) are generally iV of an inch thicker than the
other planks in the same boat.
8. What is the spacing of the plank edge fastenings?
Not less than 3J inches. One fastening goes through each timber
and one between each timber through both edges of every plank.
9. Describe the fitting of the timbers, and how they are secured to the
planking?
The timbers are made of hard wood, Ijxl inch in large boats,
steamed and bent to shape. They are fitted on top of the hogging but
underneath the keelson, and except at the extreme ends of the boat
must be in one continuous piece from gunwale to gunwale
They must not be spaced wider than 6 inches centre to centre, and
all fastenings must be of best wrought copper properly clenched on
rooves.
In ordinary clincher built boats the timbers are secured to the
planking by one fastening in each side of every plank.
10. What woods are boat knees made from?
Oak, ash, or elm, grown to form. Grown to form means that they
must be cut from wood having a natural bend, and not from a plank,
in which case some part of them would have to be cut across the grain.
11. How are the knees fitted and secured?
They are fitted above the side bench and thwart, the horizontal
part being secured with a bolt passing through the three thicknesses,