SS Skeldergate drawing questions

[Frank Burroughs]

deckB003.jpg

what is a stream anchor?

Well, that is it. Thanks for any replies that clean any of this up.

The plans were drawn from "British Ocean Tramps, vol 1" by P. N. Thomas, pg 70 and 71

[Ivan Cloherty]

Attachment 31575

have patience while I dial this in.

edit: okay this is readable!

First question. What is the "control rod"?

Control Rod, is usually a rod on boat deck near the funnel which allows you to shut down the main engine if access to the engine-room is not possible (fire etc)

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2nd question: What is "ba. bk."?

Only thing that comes to mind is Breathing Apparatus, normally in those days a Siebe Gorman bellows operated system, to be kept well away from the engine room

[Ivan Cloherty]

Attachment 31577

What are "torpedo vents"?
what is "1000 gallon san. tank"?

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What is the reason for the compass platform being on top of the bridge?

Torpedo vents are small vents fitted horizontally to an external bulkhead, they are pointed at both ends (closed) and direct air to a central opening cover by a steel band (not a cowl)

San Tnk is a Sanitary tank usually filled with sea water used for flushing toilets in the accommodation and is pumped up each morning;

Compass on top of the bridge allows the OOW to take bearings of land objects or azimuths of stars etc

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What is the crane on the bow for, the anchor?
what is the "fore peak tank"
What is the symbol with a L combined with a C mean? It has something to do with the bulkhead.

Davit (not crane) is used for multiple purposes, hanging off heavy objects, lowering or raising objects into and out of the forepeak store, Not lfor anchor handling.

Forepeak tank is used for holding fresh water or ballast water

C/L means centre line on a plan

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Frank I'll let others have a chance, I knowall the answers raised so far, but my coffee's getting cold, You mentioned you had a seamanship book at sometime, all the answers should be in there. but as Arnie would say I'll be back!

[Doc Vernon]

I have increased all Pics to make it more readable to all, hope that all your questions will be answered. Ivan has made a great start !

[Ivan Cloherty]

Attachment 31580

What is the tunnel well and hold well?

Tunnel well is a structure running from for'd to aft and covers the propeller shaft which runs through holds four and five.

Hold well is the space in the holds either side of the tunnel well

[Ivan Cloherty]

Attachment 31582

Is this the weather deck and the deck below it the 'tween deck?

"R B" stands for what?

the opening for the hold has bars across it top put the hatch coverings on. Do these come up when larger items need stowed below?

"P. O. mess room" What does the P. O. stand for?

Is the saloon another mess room?

The bars going across the hold are King and Queen beams, they are removable but are in important part of the ship's thwartship structure, they are used for putting the hatchboards on and keeping them in position. They are removable so that large objects/cargo can be placed below decks


P O stands for Petty Officer, such people as the Bosun, Carpenter, Donkeyman etc

Saloon is the officers dining room, as opposed to messroom which is the ratings dining room and more often than not also their meeting room.

[Frank Burroughs]

Yes, I am amiss by not looking these up before posting. The merchant marine handbook is not as fun as rattling the forum's cage. I do appreciate your hot cup of coffee and time. I'll try not to take too many shortcuts.

The problem is there are a dozen books to read or listen to. This is a good problem! I found in drawing this ship a number of messes. Trying to read through a few books to see how the class distinction falls among the crew and officers. Fun, and enlightening, reading.



Thanks for all that reply!!

[Ivan Cloherty]

Attachment 31583

what is a fidely?

I see a cabin for cook boys. There is another for just boys. Is this cabin to do with the black gang?

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Wonder what this is?

Wonder no more, that is a tension spring on the rod and chain steering gear.


There is a cabin for cook boys (galley boys) the one for boys is for deck boys (not black gangs)

Fidleys are skylights over the galley stove, which are open in good weather, but can be closed in bad weather to stop e
seawater ingress/

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what are tonnage openings?

The tonnage openings as shown in your diagram are used to change the vessel from a closed shelter deck to an open shelter deck and are used to reduce Suez Canal dues.

Forget this for your novel, it confuses most seamen as well.

[Ivan Cloherty]

[
what is a stream anchor?

Well, that is it. Thanks for any replies that clean any of this up.

The plans were drawn from "British Ocean Tramps, vol 1" by P. N. Thomas, pg 70 and 71

Stream anchor is usually an Admiralty style anchor (as used on sailing ships in days of yore) this is normally kept in the poor area at the stern. When anchoring in a river with both anchors out for'd the stream anchor is placed over the stern, the vessel then steams ahead, drops her bow anchors well ahead of where she wants to be, and then falls back astern until she is midway between the stern and for'd anchors. This prevents the vessel swinging to the tide in a narrow river, thus stopping the vessel grounding and leaving free passage for other vessels to pass.

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Sorry Doc for using so much space, but found it impossible to answer the questions without the drawings.

[j.sabourn]

Your little what you call crane on the bow is for your Suez Canal search light. It comes through a plate called the breasthook mentioned previously .JS. Over to the next man.JS.