Figure 24 shows a general view of the South Yard Shipbuilding Plant of The Baltimore Dry Docks & Ship Building Co. and shows four of the 8,800-ton ships in different stages of completion. Note the large travelling cranes which handle the fabricated material and place it as it is needed during the different stages of construction. FIG. 18-View looking forward, showing after shell completed. FITTING OUT This is the term applied to the work that is done between the time the ship is launched and when she is finally completed and delivered to the owners. It consists of completing that part of the structural work of the Hull that was not finished at time of launching and the installation of the heavier parts of the machinery; like the main engine and boilers. These are too heavy for the cranes that handle the material as the ships are being built on the ways. The first thing to be done, after the hull has been launched and brought alongside the fitting-out pier, is to lift in the main engine and boilers. Part of the deck and the upper part of the engine and boiler casing are often left loose so these large parts of machinery can be put down. The stern tube, the propeller shaft and the propeller, should be in place before launching. The line shafting should be laid in place in the shaft alley, but should not be coupled up, as there is less liability of trouble with the alignment of the shafting if it is done after the hull has her "set" after being afloat. The auxiliaries should all be in place at time of launching. After the main engine and the boilers have been accurately set and bolted in place, the installation of piping can be proceeded with. Prior to this time, the plans of the general arrangement and details of the piping, valves, fittings, etc., must be com pleted and all the material bought, or made, so as not to delay completion. Most of the piping for salt water is made of copper and connection between pipes, or to valves or fittings, is made with cast iron flanges into which the copper pipe has been expanded by hammering with a ball pein hammer. The main and auxiliary steam piping is either of seamless steel tubing or lap welded FIG. 22-Launching-stern view. steel pipe, and is rolled into forged steel flanges by a power expanding machine, which works on the same principles as the hand boiler tube expander. This type of steam piping and method of joining has been in general use in marine work for a number of years and has proven very satisfactory. To allow for the expansion in steam or feed piping, it is better to have large right angle bends or loops, where space allows, instead of the expansion or slip joint. It is difficult to pack slip joints tight enough to prevent leaks, without also preventing them |