AN ENGINEERING FEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2728, 27 June 1906, Page 16

AN ENGINEERING FEAT.

(From Ouh Own Cobrespoxdext.} MELBOURNE, June 13. An interesting undertaking in shipbuilding engineering is in progress at present at the Alfred Graving Dock. Williamstown. It is the lengthening of tho steamer Peregrine- by tho insertion in her amidships of a new section 40ft in length. A similar operation was performed some years ago en the R.M.S. Rome on the Clyde, but this is probably the most pretentious bit of work of the kind ever attempted in Melbourne — if not in Australia. The Peregrine was takon into tho dock on Friday, June 1. A cradle was made to bear the forward portion when it was severed. It was so constructed that tho forward part , could not get out of level or out of line with the section on the blocks. An air drill was used to remove the rivets, and it , did its work so well that by Saturday, the 9th inst., everything was ready to make tho. severance. The way underneath was well greased, and hydraulic power was used to give the great mass, weighing 600 tons, a start. Lines were made fast to capstans, and gangs of men were employed to turn these. For some hours the movement was only at the rate of an inch per hour, but late on Saturday evening the forward portion began to move steadily forward, and in a few minutes it had traversed tho necessary distance. Into the opened section a new smoke room, a water-tight bulkhead, and a water ballast tank will be inserted. The frame for these is already complete, and when placed in position the plates from the hull will be riveted back in their old place. Thousands of visitors went down

on Sunday to see the work, which is being carried out by the Australian Forge Company, of Williamstown.