This Raft is composed of three or more air-tight (luft-dicht) cylinders of gutta-percha or other elastic material 20 to 22 feet long, and 24 to 26 inches in diameter (Engl. measure). These cylinders are encased in strong canvas cylinders, and connected together, by means of heavy canvas-flanges (Seitenstück). On the top of, and across these cylinders, are placed 5 to 6 strong planks, 2 inches thick and 14 inches broad, which are lashed, at each end, and between the cylinders, by means of ropes, passed in holes of the planks and through the side-pieces of the canvas cylinders. These planks answer the double purpose of stretchers to keep the cylinders apart and in shape, when inflated and also as seats for passengers. Between these seats are fixed the sick-transport cots, ready to receive the patients, and furnished with the slings, to be hoisted up, through the port-holes on the sick-deck of the Hospital-Ship, as before described. When the Raft is not in use, the cylinders are flattened out and rolled up across these planks, which remain attached to the cylinders. Across these plauks, at each end, and lengthwise of the outercylinders, are fastened,-by means of bolts at the end of the planks and rope-lashings to the flanges of the outer-cylinders,-beams of suitable dimensions, which answer the double purpose of gunwale (Balkwäger, Dollbord) and for attaching row-locks or tholes (Ruderklamp, Dullen) for the oars, for propelling and manoeuvring the Raft. To each of the air cylinders is attached an air-valve (Luft-klappe) which can be opened and shut at leisure, and when it becomes necessary to use the Raft, an inflating bellows (Aufblähungs-blasebalg) which always attends the Rafts,-is attached to each air-valve and the Raft is got in readiness to be launched in the space of eight or ten minutes. The gutta-percha or inside cylinder is but an air reservoir and has no strain to bear. The canvas or outer cylinder, being of smaller dimensions than the inner or air cylinders, it becomes impossible to inflate the air-cylinder to its full extent or beyond its strength; consequently, the entire wear and strain falls upon the outer or canvas cylinders, which can be repaired by any person, either on board ship or in foreign countries, if necessary. So that, by this method of construction, strength and durability are combined with simplicity and cheapness. Rafts, composed of floats, constructed of gutta-percha, coated with canvas, will prove of more than ordinary value to Hospital-Ships. The chief qualities of these Rafts are:-1°. They can be cast overboard in the roughest sea, as the raft cannot be stove (schmoren, unter Wasser drücken) when alongside of the vessel,-(an accident to which life-boats are liable)-nor be swamped or capsized. 2°. They can be got ready for service in eight or ten minutes. 3°. When not in use, they can be collapsed, rolled up and stowed away in a small space, so that a dozen of these rafts would hardly occupy more room than a good sized life-boat of ordinary construction, The Raft, of which we have here given a description, as desirable for an Hospital-Raft, is not a new invention of ours. In fact, it bears relation to all classes of floats, constructed of flexible air and waterproof materials coated with canvas; capable of being collapsed and folded up into a small space; as an Hospital-Ship has no room to carry enough life-boats of ordinary size, to answer the exigencies of a catastrophe in a sea-battle. Different sorts of life-saving rafts are used by the North-American vessels; but, one of the best sort appears to be the patent of Edward L. Perry, (Constructor to the Life-saving Raft-Company at New-York); *-which we have here taken for a model. This 3-cylinder raft, when inflated and ready for use, has a length of 22 feet and a breadth of 13 feet, with a buoyant capacity of ten thousand pounds, and a deck surface for passengers of 264 square feet; and when rolled and packed up for stowing away, it takes up only a space of about two feet in diameter, by thirteen feet long, with a weight of about five hundred pounds. It is propelled by eight oars. On trial, it was pulled to windward through a heavy sea in a gale of wind, with six oars, at the rate of five miles an hour, making very little or no water and riding the sea to prefection, with thirty men on it. For the object of the Red-Cross at Sea, this raft is to be strongly recommended, with some additions for the special service of a Hospital-Raft. (*) Resolutions of the Intern. Confer. of 1869. Sec. II. No. 14. GENERAL INDEX. Note. The numerals in this Index refer to the respective ABANDONMENT.-Abandonment of jurisdiction, 48. Abandonment of ACTS OF COMMERCE, 58. AGENTS.-International agents, 141-147. Mutual ranking of inter- AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.-Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, 146. ALLEGIANCE, 40. ALLIANCE.-Different kinds of alliance, 177. Neutral alliance, 228. AMBASSADOR.-Right of sending, receiving and refusing ambassador, AMBASSADRESS, 129. AMICABLE ARRANGEMENTS, 157; 158. AMNESTY, 301; 305. AMSTERDAM.-Coutumes d'Amsterdam, 127. ANGARIE.-Droit d'angarie, 251. ANNUITIES, 79. ANTICHRESIS, 139. ANTWERP.-Laws of Antwerp, 127. APPROACH.-Right of approach, 97. ARBITRATION.-International arbitration, 21; 158. ARMED NEUTRALITY, 228. ARMISTICE, 131; 195; 299. ARMS.-Consular use of national arms, 152, subs. 2, 7. ARRET.-Arrêt du prince, 251. ARRIVAL.-What constitutes arrival of ship, 152, subs. 19. ARTICLES.-Ship's articles, 70. ASSESSMENT.-Assessment of damages, 63. Assessment of general ASSIGNEES.-Official assignees; their duties, 80; their powers, 82. ASYLUM.-Right of asylum, 44; 112; 255–262. Asylum claimed by AUBAINE.-Droit d'aubaine, 51; 138. AUDIENCE, for delivery of letters of credence, 147. AVERAGE.-General principles of the law of average, 63. General Aver- age on goods in lighters, 63, subs. 5. Master's liability for BALANCE OF POWER, 153; 154. BALANCE-SHEET, in bankruptcy, 80, subs. 15. BANISHMENT, 40. BANKRUPTCY LAW, 79. BANKRUPT.-Arrest and release of bankrupt, 80, subs. 3. Bankrupt's BARRATRY, 70. BELLIGERENT.-Belligerent right to raise troops, 185. Relations be- BILLS.-Bills of exchange, 59. Bills of lading, 73. BLOCKADE.-Pacific blockade, 167. Hostile blockade, 269-281. Valid blockade, 270. Siege blockade, 271. Maritime and com- BOMBARDMENT, 168; 188. BOOKS OF MERCHANTS, 58. BOTTOMRY.-Insurance on bottomry, 62, subs. 16. Nature and legal BRUSSELS CONFERENCE, 182-184. BUOYS, 152, subs. 14. CABLE. Submarine cables, 123. CAPACITY OF SHIPS, 71, subs. 6. CAPTOR.-Rights of captor, 208. Duties of captor, 283. CAPTURE. Right of capture, 202-205. Capture on the principle of CAPTURED GOODS, 211. CENTRAL AMERICAN CANAL OR RAILWAY, 134. CERTIFICATE.-Expert's or surveyor's certificate, 152, subs. 31. Con- CHANNELS, 91. CHARTERPARTY, 71. CHIEF-OFFICER'S LIABILITIES, 73, subs. 10. CHILD AND PARENT, 53. CHRISTIANITY, 3. CHURCH AND STATE, 21. CIVIL LAW, 37. CLAYTON-BULWER TREATY, 134. COAST FISHERY, 93. COAST-TRADE, 93. COLLISION.-Collision of ships, 77; 109. Obligation to stand by, after collision, 117. COLONIAL. Modern colonial policy, 35. Rights and responsibilities COLONISATION.-Origin of colonisation, 34. Colonisation companies, 16. COMMERCE.-Commercial law, 58. Neutral commerce, 229. COMITY. International comity, 29. Maritime commercial law, 126. COMMISSION.-Insurance of expected commission, 62, subs. 20. Com- COMMON SENSE, 12. COMMUNICATION.-Consular communications, 152, subs. 9. Postal and COMPANIES. Public companies, 58. Trading or colonisation com- COMPOSITION, IN INSOLVENCY, 81. |