There is some confusion in different localities in the use of the terms "Breast Hook" and " Deck Hook." The author has always considered the breast hook as being properly a member landing in way of the upper clamp strake and against the apron, to both of which it is fayed. It usually is worked from a large natural crook knee. The deck hook, he has always considered as being a series of short beams, set against the apron and each other and on top of the clamps. The breast hook ties the upper clamp together and to the stem structure. The deck hook furnishes the connection between the decking, clamps and stem structure. Where the breast hook is omitted the deck hook serves both purposes. Breast hooks may be fitted where no decking is laid. Deck hooks are never fitted except where decking extends to and against the stem structure.

Figure 128 shows both of the above features of construction. It is assumed in this figure that the lower or tween decks, if any is laid, ends against the peak, or collision, bulkhead and therefore does not extend to the stem. A breast hook is shown fitted to the upper clamp strake under this line of beams.

Upper, weather, or main deck decking, is always extended to and against the apron or waterway hook, hence there would be a deck hook as shown in the figure. As before mentioned the breast hook below the deck is often omitted.

Breasthooks are fitted and fastened in much the same manner as hanging knees. Most of the bolts should be headed, driven from the outside and clinched over rings on the inside. Heavy throat bolts are driven, either headed or through rings, well into the apron and stem.

Deck hooks are generally fastened as shown in the figure. The bolts extending fore and aft should he as long as possible. Where care is exercised the timbers forming the hook may be worked to the deck camber before being placed but it is generally best to leave them a little high so that they may be dubbed to the correct camber after being fastened down. To allow for necessary dubbing the bolts fastening the deck hook to the clamps are often plain drifts set in. Where they are button-headed bolts, or plain-headed bolts driven through rings, they should be counterbored and set in.