MAGNETS FOB LIFTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 101, 30 April 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

MAGNETS FOB LIFTING.

SCHEME TO RAISE H.M.S.

VICTORIA,

The ingenious scheme which has been talked of for raising the ill-fated Victoria, of the British navy, which now lies at the bottom of the Mediterranean, in 450 feet of water, of the Harbour of Tripoli, has called attention to the possibilities in the employment of powerful magnets for raising iron and steel vessels sunk in deep water—too deep to admit of the use of divers. The weight of this wreck in water is estimated at 7.000 +Am. It is--'suggested that powerful hydraulic rams and dynamo machines and a series of heavy electro-magnets be arranged on pontoons at the scene of the wreck. A magnet lowered over the side and coining within "reasonable distance of the sunken vessel would be drawn toAvai'ds it, and would stick with a power of lop tons to any part of.its iron or steel.with which it came into contact. As each magnet made attachment, which would-be indicated by' 'means of an electric- dial on the pontoon, a pyill would be given to the rope to ascertain whether a connection has been made to a firm part of the wreck. Were this test not satisfactory, the magnet would.come off, .and its position would be' changed until; a firm grip; had been made. When all the magnets had been fixed, the" wreck would be ready for raising-. Each, lifting rope'would be attached to the lifting pontoon by means of a sheave on the head of a hydraulic lifting', ram with a -twelves-foot-" stroke, which would. give an, effective lift of 24, feet. Each hydraulic "cylinder on the pontoon would be in connection with .all the others, and. a balancing accumulator would prevent any rope getting more than .a normal strain of. 100 tons. When the rams hadjnade their full stroke, the lifting ropes would-all be. simultaneously held in position. The ranis would -then be-lowered, and another liftof 24 feetgiven to /the Wreck, which, as, it l-eached the surface, would be,; towed to shallower water,, and-there'beached;