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34 the apparatus consists of a casing provided at its lower or upper part with a series of slots, a slotted ring, revolubly supported and having a screwed knob passing through the outer casing, being in the interior of this casing. A slotted basket is sus- pended in the center of the casing in which a float is arranged, the float be- THE MarRINE REVIEW point under the bow downward to a horizontal line beneath the propeller and ends with a step for the rudder post. Extending downwards and rear- wards from beneath the engine in the forward part of the interior is a pro- peller shaft tube, the propeller being in an aperture in the keel. The pro- peller shaft is coupled at the after end yy = >Hi = ) ee FIG.2. ing free to rise or fall on a guide at- tached to the basket. The 'basket is weighted at its base with lead, and is so suspended that it will not follow the oscillatory movement of the ship, but always retain its vertical position. The basket terminates in a recepta- cle provided with two electric contacts, the contacts being attached to insu- lated conductors; the conductors are uuiced: to form a cable, and . pass through the casing to an alarm de- vice arranged in a suitable place on the ship. In case the ship springs a leak and the lowest part where the 'apparatus thas been set up is flooded With water, the water penetrates -through the slots in the casing to the interior, raises the float, and by forc- ing the contact closes the circuit and sets the alarm device in motion. In case the portion of the ship in which the apparatus is arranged is to 'be cleaned, the slotted ring is shifted by means of the knob in such way that the slots in the outer casing are closed. Several such apparatuses may be arranged at different parts on the ship, and the alarms mounted at one ceriter. The indicator is the invention of C. Bergstrom, Finland, Russia. MOTOR BOAT BUOYANCY. To increase the buoyancy and speed of motor boats is the object of the accompanying design, the invention of Victor M. Salo and John Rukonen, Chicago, Ill. Built into the body of the boat is a fin keel constructed of thin metal, the bottom edge of which tapers from a of the tube, and is supported in bear- ings at either end of the propeller. Any form of motor, coupling, or bear- ings may be used. GOVERNMENT INSPECTION LAUNCH. The government has just completed an inspection launch for the use of the United States engineer district in connection with its supervision of the navigable channels of Puget Sound and tributary waters. The boat is a gasoline launch 63 ft. 3 in. long; 12 ft. beam, and draws 4 ft., driven by a §0-H. P. Ralaco four-cycle engine. The launch is of the cruiser type, of course, capable of carrying a much larger number. It is expected to maintain an average speed of 12 miles, which can be. increased to 13 whee necessary. The purpose of the boat is to look after navigation interests upon the sound, so far as obstructions in the navigable waterways are 'concerned, and to do such incidental survey and errand work as the needs of the local office require. It will be kept contin- uously in commission. Its principal work will be in connection with fish traps, for which duty the government has heretofore chartered a special boat at heavy expense during the fishing season. It is estimated that the pres- ent boat will do this work and a great deal beside, and be continuously ayail- able at about half the cost under the previous system. The operations of the 'boat will be under the direction of Inspector F, S, Greely. The master of the boat will be George Leighton, recently mate on the Gen. J. M. Wilson. is ©. Larsen. The boat was designed by Lee & Brinton, naval architects of Seattle, and built by James W. Hall, of Eagle Harbor. The engines were built by . the Rathbun-Lacy Co., of Toledo, O. The boat was given her trial trip on Dec. 14, 1907, and is christened the Vigilant. The engineer It has been authoritatively stated that the new repair yard which is be- ing established on: the Elizabeth river, near Norfolk, Va., by Edwin S. Cramp, will be ready for business in about three months. There will 'be three LAUNCH FOR GOVERNMENT ENGINEER. with white oak frame and floors and fir planking. A safety acetylene sys- tem has been installed for lighting and also for cooking. A 7-in, search- light is carried on top of the pilot house. The boat is designed to carry a per- Manent crew of four persons, but is, marine railways,-one for the accom- modation of vessels up to 2,000 tons, one for vessels up to 800 tons, and one for vessels up to 600 tons. The largest of the three is to be on the order of a dry dock and will be of the most approved modern construc- tion.