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VOL. XXXIV. CLEVELAND, DECEMBER G. 1e0OG NO..-2 3 Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Mr. William Gatewood's paper upon the "Construction of a Fireproof Ferry Steamer" was as follows: The purpose of this description is to place before the society the particu- lars of an adaptation of fireproof con- struction in the building of the Jameés- town, an excursion steamer for the Potomac river. The vessel was built by the Newport officers, and a large open deck for pas- sengers, covered by awnings. The propelling machinery consists of com- pound inclined engines, 30 in. and 64 in, in diameter with 66 in. stroke, op- erating feathering paddle wheels, 17 ft. 3 in. outside diameter. There are four single ended Scotch boilers. The vessel is lighted by electricity. A speed of nearly 19 miles was obtained on ing, as the use of the spaces rendered desirable. -In the machinery space, the floors are of ribbed plate, set on steel angle supports. The main bulk- heads are of steel plate, in thickness varying from 3-16 in. to 5-16 in. and stif- fened with steel angles; and the main divisional bulkheads on the lower deck are also of steel plate %%-in. thick with angle stiffeners. The minor News Ship Building & Dry Dock Co., from designs prepared by them to meet the requirements of the Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Co.,and was put in service in June last. The vessel has a length between perpendiculars of 250 ft., length over all of 262 ft., beam over guards of 63 ft., beam molded of 38 ft., and depth molded of 14 ft., 6 in. Plates I to IV show the general arrangement of the vessel, Below the main deck are the barroom, pantry, galley and quarters for the crew. On the main deck are dining room, lobby, parlors and deck space for passengers, both open and enclosed. On the saloon deck are parlors, a few staterooms, toilets, a large enclosed cabin, and some open deck for passengers. Onthe shade deck are the pilot house and rooms for deck FIREPROOF EXCURSION STEAMER JAMESTOWN. the trial trip in Chesapeake Bay. By the term 'fireproof,' is not meant that the vessel is incapable of destruction by fire, but that the amount of combustible material has been limited to such an extent, and what remains is so protected and dis- tributed that the chances of a fire starting on board are greatly reduced; and the spread of a fire would be prac- tically impossible even should one get a start. No trouble was experienced in this connection with the hull below the main deck, as it was constructed of steel throughout, : The lower deck is built of steel plat- ing 3-16-inch thick laid on beams spaced 27 inches to 30 inches apart, and covered with linoleum, brick, mo- saic tiling or interlocking rubber' til- divisional bulkheads on this deck are of corrugated steel plate of No. 18 U. S. S, gauge, with steel angle boundar- ies. ee 'The main deck is built of steel plat- ing %-in. thick, on steel bearers spaced 24 to 36 in. apart, with the stringer somewhat heavier. The run- ners under this deck are of steel chan- nels and the beam stanchions are of iron pipe. The covering on the main deck is of rubber tiling or linoleum. The adherence of the rubber tiling or linoleum to the steel deck was ob- tained by the use of the special ce- ment which it is customary to use for this purpose. The linoleum on this deck where it is exposed to the weather, is secured in addition by thin galvanized steel strips placed on top along the edges and across the joints,