ir tanks to prevent sinking,
with the result that metal boats are as unsinkable as wooden ones. The
metal boats are considered in the United States Navy as superior to
wooden ones, for several reasons: They do not break or collapse; they
do not, in consequence of long storage on deck, open at the seams and
thereby spring a leak; and they are not eaten by bugs, as is the case
with wooden boats.

Comparatively few of the transatlantic steamships have adopted metal
life-boats. Most of the boats are of wood, according to the official
United States Government record of inspection. The records show that a
considerable proportion of the entire number of so-called "life-boats"
carried by Atlantic Ocean liners are not actually life-boats at all,
but simply open boats, without air tanks or other special equipment or
construction.

{illust. caption = CHAMBERS COLLAPSIBLE LIFE RAFT}

Life-rafts are of several kinds. They are commonly used on large
passenger steamers where it is difficult to carry sufficient life-boats.
In most cases they consist of two or more hollow metal or inflated
rubber floats which support a wooden deck. The small rafts are supplied
with life-lines and oars, and the larger ones with life-lines only, or
with life-lines and sails.

The collapsible feature of the Chambers raft consists of canvas-covered
steel frames extending up twenty-five inches from the sides to prevent
passengers from being pitched off. When the rafts are not in use these
side frames are folded down on the raft.

The collapsible rafts are favored by the ship-owners because such boats
take up less room; they do not have to be carried in the davits, and
they can be stowed to any number required. Some of the German lines
stack their collapsible rafts one above another on deck.

NIXON'S PONTOON

Lewis Nixon, the well-known ship designer, suggests the construction of
a pontoon to be carried on the after end of the vessel and to be made of
sectional air-tight compartments. One compartment would accommodate
the wireless outfit. Another compartment would hold drinking water, and
still another would be filled with food.

The pontoon would follow the line of the ship and seem to be a part of
it. The means for releasing it before the sinking of the vessel present
no mechanical problem. It would be too large and too buoyant to be
sucked down with the wreck.

The pontoon would accommodate, not comfortably but safely, all those who
faile