LAUNCHING THE SHIt

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Equipment Numeral, which is perhaps of more interest to the deck
executive than the others, is determined by the Second Numeral,
L x (B + D), with some modification for superstructures; for
example, a ship of the dimensions of the Caledonian Monarch, a
vessel of 9,400 deadweight, has an Equipment Numeral 37195, and
we find, on referring to Lloyd's Tables, that such a vessel must
have three bower anchors weighing 63| cwts. each, tested to
50J tons.
Stud chain cable, 270 fathoms, minimum size 2J inches, proved
to a load of 91 tons, breaking test 127J tons, minimum weight
682 cwts.
One stream anchor, weighing 17£ cwt., tested to 18| tons
and 90 fathoms of 1 J-inch stream chain, or, as an equivalent to chain,
90 fathoms of 4f-inch steel wire of breaking test, 47 tons.
A towline, .120 fathoms of 14-inch hemp, or, as an equivalent,
120 fathoms of "5-inch wire.
Two hawsers, 90 fathoms each of 8 inch hemp, or 2f-inch
wire.
Two warps of 7-inch hemp, or 2J-inch wire.
A vessel of approximately 5,000 tons deadweight having an
equipment number 24200 is provided with bower anchors weighing
45 cwt. each and a 12-cwt. stream anchor with a 4£-inch steel wire.
The size and number of shrouds is regulated by the length of the
mast measured from the upper deck to the hounds. A mast, 50 feet
long, must be fitted on each side with three shrouds of at least
3|-inch wire, one topmast backstay of 3-inch wire and one forestay
of 3|-inch wire.
LAUNCHING THE SHIP.
The weight of the vessel during construction is borne on the
keel blocks and on bilge shores, but when being launched she slides
down on launching ways. These are rectangular timbers laid the
whole length of the ship, parallel to each other, to form a trackway
extending beyond the slipway into the water. They measure
about 4 feet wide and 18 inches thick, placed on each side of the
keel about one-third of the vessel's breadth apart with a declivity
of about eleven-^xteenth inch to the foot.