3.6 Floors and bulkheads
When the inner layers of mesh were all tied in place work was started on the
floors and bulkheads. For the floors, lengths of rod were bent in the form of a U to
the desired width of floor 50, 75 or 100 mm (2, 3 or 4"), depending on location. The
arms of the U are left longer than the desired depth of floor. These rods are then
pushed through the layers of inside mesh with the arma allowed to protrude beyond the
reinforcing rods. The arms are then bent back in line with the longitudinal
reinforcing rods and tied to them with wire ties. Fig. 20 shows a general view of
these U shaped rods in place to form the floors in the region of the engine bearers,
while Figs. 21 and 22 show close-ups of the U shaped rods being pushed through the
inner layers of mesh from the inside, and the arms being bent back in line with the
longitudinal rods outside.
When this had been completed, transverse rods were tied in place and both sides
of the floor thus formed covered with layers of mesh. Fig. 23 shows the completed
floor in the region of the engine bearers. Note that the top of the floor wasleft
open to allow the filling of the floor with mortar and the insertion of a vibrator to
ensure complete penetration during the plastering stage.
To allow drainage of bilge water, limber holes are left in the mesh and bamboo
plugs inserted to prevent the holes being filled during the vibrating and rodding of
the mortar.
Bulkheads were formed by pushing horizontal and vertical rods through the mesh
layers and bending the ends back in line with the longitudinal rods, as had already
been done with the floors. Fig. 24 shows the horizontal and vertical rods in place
before covering with mesh, while in Fig. 25, a workman is tying off bulkhead rods on
the outside of the hull. Fig. 26 shows combined floor and bulk rods neatly tied off
on the exterior of the hull. Note the pipa frame incorporated in the mesh layers.
The transom frame had not been covered with rods until this stage to facilitate
the passing of mesh, rod lengths and tools into the hull. The reinforcing rods for
this were then tied in place, strengthening webs at the C/L and 1 m (33") to port and
starboard were formed of rod, and the inside of the transom covered with mesh. Fig. 27
shows the hull at this stage, with work ready to begin on the decks.
3.7 Decks and hatches
Longitudinal rods at 75 mm (3") centres were laid and tied to the deck beams.
Transverse rods at 75 mm (3") centres were pushed through the mesh and tied on top
of these longitudinal rods. Protruding ends of these rods were bent back and tied in
place, as had been done for the bulkhead rods.
To avoid a sharp corner at the join between dock and hull, curved sections of
rod were tied in place to form a radius, as shown in FiE.28 . Fig.30 shows a general
view of the deck rods in place, with hatch openings cut but before the formation of
the reinforcing rod coamings.
After the mesh on the underside of the dock had been tied in place the upper
layers were laid and tied. Fig. 29 shows a layer of square welded mesh being laid on
the deck to form the side of a hatch coaming.
At this stage lengths of 100 x 50 mm (4 x 2") channel iron were bent to the
required deck curve, placed under the deck, and held in place by short lengths of rod
welded to the dedk reinforcement. The purpose of this channel was to provide a quick,
cheap and relatively light under-deck reinforcement, to which heavily stressed deck
fittings such as the winch, trawl warp, lead blocks, etc., could be fautened.by
through bolting.