Monday, May 24, 2010

17-21 May, And the beat goes on

Most of the overlay outside the blocks has been cut away except for the center section of number 1 compartment.

The starboard hogging chain post has been fabricated and is ready to install.

There were about 16 frames in number 2 outboard compartments that had to be cut out and new ones inserted to make a fair landing for the bottom plate. The deformation was much greater than was appreciated when the old plate was still in place. The forward bulkheads in number 3 outboard compartments were buckled. The buckles were cropped out and new plate inserted. The number 3 port outboard forward bulkhead was warped and was straightened.

The side plate for number 2 compartment has been hung. The knuckles for number 2 compartment have been formed and are ready to install, once the bottom plate welding is finished.

Preparations are well underway for the big lift.

Monday, May 17, 2010

10-14 May The old gal is putting on some weight

Both the 30' side shell plates, port and starboard, were fitted up on number 4 compartment and all the internal welds completed. The port stern knuckle is complete. The starboard stern knuckle is complete except for some finishing passes. The first of the knuckles for number 4 compartment have been formed. Overlay on compartments 3 and 5 have be cut out on the sides and some bottom plate.

Monday, May 10, 2010

3-7 May And the Word descendeth from Above

And the Word descendeth from Above and there was much activity. Rick Griffith, president, passed down on Wednesday that he wanted more men working on the SNYDER. Accordingly, more men were on the first shift and several were on the second and third shift. It may sound like they accomplished a lot in the three days, but they could not have done it were not the internal repairs completed in number 2 and 4 compartments.

The 40 foot long plate for number 4 compartment was fitted up and most of the internal welding completed. All of the internal repairs to the bulkheads, Z-bar, gussets were completed.

The 16 foot plate for the after end of number 2 compartment was fitted in and the internal welding is in progress. The internal repairs to the bulkheads, frames, and intercostals were completed with the exception for six frames in the outboard compartments which make up to the framing for the knuckle. There are three frames on each side. These appear to have been some kind of repair previously and with their set up are not fair to the plate. Once, the plate is in place these will be cut out and the replacements made fair.

The side shell for number 4 port side is ready to be hung. Work is progressing on the starboard side and is nearly complete. Two sections of knuckle have been installed on the stern port side. The pipe for the hogging chain posts were delivered on Friday.

The Z-bar for number 3 outboard compartments has been measured and the angle and flat bar to make up the Z-bar has been ordered. The inboard Z-bar on the starboard side where it fits into a riveted transition piece is totally gone. We have been avoiding disturbing complex riveted structure as the other old Z-bar had enouth thickness so that we did not have to replace all of it. This will be a different srory. While I don't believe that this will create any serious problems, we will proceed cautiously on this repair avoiding as best as possible getting a lot of heat into the structure.

A laser transit was performed on Wednesday evening, and no discernible deformation was found.

Monday, May 3, 2010

26-30 April Easy Boys!

The pace has started to pick up. The repairs in number 4 starboard outboard compartment are completed. The Z-bar, gussets, forward bulkhead repair and one longitudinal bulkhead repair were completed in number 4 port outboard compartment. Three more longitudinal bulkhead repairs remain.

Work was in progress in number 2 center compartment on the after transverse bulkhead where repairs were required in all sections. The bottom was trimmed away from the old ash chutes which will be welded to the new hull shell.

The big move occurred Friday afternoon where the first of the newly fabricated hull bottom plates was slipped into the drydock and under the vessel. This first plate measures 32 feet by 40 feet. It was guided by a set of temporary ramps. This is another first for the yard.

Sunday, the 2nd of May saw 4 1/2 frog strangling inches of rain. Th river has risen 9 feet since then with another 10 feet or so more to go. It is predicted to crest midday on Tuesday. It is not expected to affect the yard work.