The author desires at this time to again remind the reader that the details of wood ship construction which maybe considered the best practice in the different localities where such ships are built are so much at variance in scantlings, arrangement and fastening that it is impossible to show and describe all of them within the limits of these chapters. Practice that is considered good in one locality may not be so considered in another. Types of ships favored in the different localities are different. Individual experiences and opinions differ according to the measure of success operators have had with certain types. The sizes and character of timbers available for the construction of wood ships in different localities vary greatly, and have a very decided influence on design. Taking it all in all, modern designs of wood ships show the tendency of designers in different sections not only to approach the problem from widely divergent angles of experience and observation, but very often upon absolutely different basic principles.

However, even with the confusing mass of contradictory ideas the recent wood shipbuilding has produced, there is a certain relation between the parts of a ship which may be said to exist regardless of their detail scantling arrangements. It is therefore felt that if the reader is enabled to familiarize himself with one or two types of construction in detail, he will at once recognize similar parts of other ships though they may differ in their arrangement.

In the last chapter the tabulation of the order of procedure ended with the fitting of the lower hold bulkheads and pointers. Since this chapter deals with deck details, the work outlined herein would properly begin with the setting of the deck beams. As soon as the beams have been fastened at the ends and pumped to the proper camber, the hatch framing must be gotten out and fitted in place. Breast hooks, deck hooks, chocks for receiving the fastening at the ends of the decking, and mast partners are also fitted at this time. It may also be found convenient to fit at this time such heavy chocking as may be required in way of deck fittings, winches, etc. All hatch coamings except those to be placed on top of the decking should be fitted and fastened before the decking is laid. Light chocking in way of vents, pipes, etc., is not fitted until the pipes are in place.

The exercise of a reasonable amount of care in seeing that all of the above details are in place before the decking is laid will often save much trouble and expense later on.

Hatch details, such as covers, strongbacks, etc., are gotten out at any time when the arrangement of the work permits.

The above tabulation refers to the deck only. While this work is going on, and as soon as the ceiling fastening has been completed, the outside planking is started, and in most cases the planking and the work on the deck will be going on at the same time.

In the last chapter the method of obtaining the camber on the beams was explained, and it will be remembered that only a part of the camber is ordinarily cut on the beam, the balance being obtained by springing. In the case of half beams and short beams at the ends of the vessel the full camber must be cut as there is no opportunity of springing such beams. For this purpose molds are made, having the correct full camber for both the upper and lower faces of the half beams, or short beams as the case may be. The beams are then laid out by these molds and worked to the full camber.

The correct shape for half-beam molds is obtained by laying out a full camber curve for the full beam of the ship as has been previously explained, and fitting the mold to that portion of the curve over which the half beam actually extends. One mold is generally sufficient for all half beams. This method applies to all half beams in any type of hatch framing.

Beams and half beams are generally fastened at the outer ends with two drift bolts driven well into the clamps. For the beams, this is largely a temporary fastening to hold them in place while they are being sprung to the full camber, after which the knees or shelves are fitted and the main beam fastening driven. Very often, in order to assist the drift bolts in holding down the ends of the beams during the pumping it is necessary to clamp heavy blocks just above the beams and on the inside of the frames or stanchions in such position that wedges may be driven between the lower ends of the blocks and the ends of the beams. This keeps the fastening from starting and in a little while after the beams have been sprung they may be removed. Half beams are not fitted until the beams have been sprung to their full camber and the hatch trimmers have been placed. The outer ends of half beams receive the same fastening as described for beam ends.

The hold stanchions may or may not be fitted immediately after the beams are sprung. Very often it is more convenient to fit temporary shores to hold the beams up until such time as the hold stanchions can be fitted. Where shores are used there should be two to each beam, one on each side of the center-line, or location of the hold stanchion, so as to leave the stanchion location clear.

All beams should be worked and finished smooth before being placed in the ship. The lower corners are commonly chamfered except in way of shelves or hanging knees. If the deck frame is properly handled there should be practically no dubbing necessary to secure a fair surface for laying the decking.

It will be noticed that the beam spacing in Fig. 122 is the same as that of the frames, while in Figs. 123 and 124 it is different. Where hanging knees are used in place of shelves the tendency is to make the beam spacing the same as that of the frames with a beam against each frame, as then all of the knee fastenings will land in the frames. Where the beam spacing is not the same as that of the frames as in Fig. 124 chocks to receive fastening are fitted in the frame bays in way of hanging knees not landing on the frames. In Fig. 123 where shelves are used there is no particular disadvantage in having a beam space different from the frame space, but even in this construction the modern tendency is to make the two spacings practically the same.