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METHOD OF FLOATING SUNK- EN OR STRANDED VESSELS. In the accompaning illustrations are shown two views of a method of float- ing sunken or stranded vessels, the invention of W. W. Wotherspoon, of New York, N. Y.,-and Ra O- Ring, 6: North Tonawanda, N. Y. This method involves the treatment of the wrecked vessel so as to render the compartment or hold where the in- jury has occurred air-tight, or sub- stantially so; the introduction of air into said hold or compartment under pressure to expel the water; and, finally the provision of a means permitting access into the hold while the pressure is maintained, in order that proper repairs mdy be made. In the practical application of this 'method, all openings in the flooded compartment, such as ventilators, ports, or funnels, are. closed air tight, so that the necessary pressure of air may be obtained therein to expel the leaking water. The deck of the hold, to with- stand the internal pressure, is first- strengthened. This. strengthing may be accomplished by having beams or braces applied between the deck of the injured compartment and the deck above, or other means suitable to the formation or structure of the vessel. The compartment is next closed air- tight by the application of a plate or covering to the hatchway, the plate be- ing fastened by stay-bolts against the edge of the coaming. A rubber gasket is interposed to form the air-tight joint. The application of an air-lock, such as is employed in connection with caissons, consisting of a chamber having a door communicating with the flooded compartment, and the second door com- municating with. the outside, pro- vides a means for access into. the compartment while the pressure 1s maintained. The next step consists in fore. "TAE Marine KEVIEW introducing air into the compartment, under pressure, to expel the water, preferably by means of an air-com- pressor mounted on the upper deck of the vessel, a pipe, connected to the Lig ds, CT ae dir-compressor, leading direct into the compartment. While the pressure is maintained, workmen, through the medium of the air-lock, may enter the hold and make such repairs as may be necessary to enable the ship to be towed into port, 'ment rendered air-tight, 47 or repair permanently, according to the nature of the injury. Fig. 1 represents a view of a strand- ed vessel resting on a rock. A_ hole is stove in one of the compartments or holds, flooding same. Fig. 2 is a some- what similar view, showing compart- braced to withstand the internal pressure. An air-lock is shown applied to the com- partment, and means for the intro--- duction into the compartment of air under pressure. It is understood that the above mentioned of procedure may be applied in connection with ary hold or compartment which has become in- jured. When two or more compartments have been injured and the water has filled in, they may all be treated in . the same manner, the air being in- troduced simultaneously into all of them from a single source of pressure. Under these circumstances, the degree of pressure of air necessary to expel the water may vary in the different: compartments according' "to the location of the leak, the list of the vessel, and other conditions such as would cause the existence of different hydrostatic pressures. To meet these conditions, it is proposed to provide for