Div 2Bulk Loading in Wooden Sailing Vessels.

Division 2.—Bulk Loading in Wooden Sailing Vessels.

Limber boards, &c.

22. Before a cargo of grain in bulk is loaded in a wooden sailing vessel, the limber boards shall be lifted, and limbers and water courses to the ship’s pumps shall be thoroughly cleaned.

Bins for bulk grain.

23. (1) Bulk or loose grain shall be stowed in bins prepared for that purpose.

(2) Material for bins shall be of well-seasoned stock; unseasoned lumber shall not be used where it will come in contact with the grain.

Floor of bins.

24. (1) The floor of the bins shall be laid on scantling 2½ inches by 4 inches in size, 16 inches apart from centre to centre, supported by studs of corresponding size, also 16 inches from centre to centre.

(2) The floor shall be raised from 6 to 12 inches over the floor of the vessel, or in the bilge from 6 to 15 inches. In vessels that are very flat or sharp, the distance the floor is to be raised may be decreased or increased, as the case may be, at the discretion of the surveyor.

(3) In no case shall the floor of the bins be laid on loose dunnage.

(4) The floor shall be grain-tight, and shall extend from the keelson to the turn of the bilge. In vessels 300 tons net register and over, it shall be laid with two thicknesses of 1-in. boards, so placed that they break joints at the edges and ends.

(5) Sailing vessels under 300 tons net register may be permitted to have a single floor laid with 1-in. boards placed edge to edge, and having the seams covered with battens 2 inches by 1 inch, or edges lapped 1 inch.

Studs for forward and after bulkheads.

25. (1) The studs for the forward and after bulkheads for vessels not exceeding 14 feet depth of hold shall be equal to 4 by 6 inches in size; for ships of a greater depth than 14 feet, they shall be equal to 4 by 8 inches in size.

(2) The studs shall be set 20 inches apart from centre to centre, firmly secured at the top and bottom, properly braced in the centre, and cleated on the ceiling to resist the pressure of the grain.

Air strakes and open seams to be closed.

26. (1) All air strakes and open seams shall be closed, and the sides of the vessel above the turn of the bilge shall be sealed after the manner of clap boarding reversed, and not furred where it can be avoided. Where furring is used the ceiling shall be made grain-tight at the bilges and sides.

(2) All lodging and bosom knees not fitted tight to the deck shall be cleated grain-tight around the face of the knees.

Trimming bulkheads on vessels with single decks, &c.