Chapter C

THE following will be some of the Improvements in the Picking-up
Machinery and in the Vessel to fit her for her next voyage, and it
is believed that the Great Eastern will be as perfect and as
admirably adapted for her work as human hands can make her.

The whole apparatus will be strengthened and improved by grooved drums, and more boiler power added, and other drums will be provided for lowering away buoy-rope when grappling.

The paying-out machinery will have steam-power added to it, the spare drum fitted on the machine will be used for picking-up in connection with the paying-out drum; an extra drum and brake-wheel will also be placed near the stern for the purpose of paying-out grapnel lines and buoy-rope, in case it is found more convenient than at the bow.

The grapnel-rope, with shackles, swivels, &c., will be made sufficiently strong to lift or break the bight of the Cable in the deepest water. The hawse-pipes and stem of the ship will be guarded to prevent the Cable from being injured. A guard will be placed round the screw to prevent the Cable and buoy-rope fouling.