As nearly as possible, In these chapters, the various features of the ship will be discussed in their order of erection, or emplacement, upon the vessel. This is not altogether possible, as many items may be in the course of preparation at the same time.

In the first chapter keels, stems, stern- and rudder-posts, and shaft-logs were discussed in general, and while the keel is the first item erected, the other pieces mentioned are, or should be, in the course of preparation at the same time. Simultaneously with this work the frames are being molded and sawn. As soon as the keel is laid and properly lined, the framing stage is set up, and the square frames assembled and erected. Then the framing stage is torn down and the stem and main stern-frame are erected and shored in position. Fitting the half-frames and cants then completes the vessel's frame, but before this can be done the keelsons must have been laid and all the dead-woods placed and fastened. Keelsons will be discussed in the next chapter.

In this chapter various features of the vessel's frame are discussed. While several types of frames are shown, it should be borne in mind that there are many variations which may be used without changing the principles involved.

Tabulation of the Order of Procedure to Complete the Frame

Main Operation

Coincident Operation

Setting of keel blocks.

Preparation of keel.

Laying of keel.

Molding and sawing of frames.

Erection of framing stage.

Preparation of stem structure, stern-post, rudder-post, and stern-frame parts.

Assembling and erecting square-frames.

Erection of stem structure, stern-post and stem-frame parts.

Preparation of main and sister keelsons.

Laying of main keelsons.

Assembly of half frames or cants.

Erection of cants and half frames.

All ship frames are usually built double, that is, of two tiers of timbers, so arranged that the timbers of one tier overlap the butts of the timbers in the other tier. The various timbers of the frame are sawn to proper shape and bevel from stock called "flitch." Flitch may be ordered rough sawn, or planed on one or both sides. Planed flitch is coming more into use, as it is easier to mold and work.

It will be remembered then that a frame consists of two tiers of timbers, and that when we speak of a timber in general reference to the frame, we mean one-half of the frame at the point under discussion. For instance, if plank fastening were specified two fastenings per timber, it would mean four to each frame.

For purposes of identification in working and assembling, the various timbers of the frame have been named., Referring to Fig. 38 it will be seen that the timbers crossing the keel are called floors. The uppermost timbers are called top timbers and the timbers between the floors and the top timbers are called futtocks. When a vessel has a bulwark where only one timber extends above the deck, this timber becomes a stanchion. Then there will be floors, futtocks, top timbers and stanchions, all in the same frame.

Inasmuch as half frames and cants do not cross the keel they have no floors and will consist of futtocks and top timbers only.

The futtocks are numbered, beginning with No. 1 for the futtock abutting the floor nearest the center line of the ship. In half frames and cants the shorter of the two futtocks abutting the deadwood is called No. 1. (See Figs. 44 and 45.) They are numbered thence in order up to the top timbers. It will be seen that on the same side of the ship the first, third and fifth futtocks will be in one tier, and the second, fourth and sixth futtocks in the other tier. First futtocks or futtocks of the same number may not be in the same tier on both sides of the ship, as will be seen later on.