3-085-758 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Time competitions in the coaling of war-ships at Portsmouth, 1898. 'H.M.S. Caesar; H.M.S. Majestic; Coal Derricks and Lighters; H.M.S. Prince George; Entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. Drawn by our Special Artist, Mr. C. J. De Lacy...the system of coaling...the Channel Fleet, seems to call for considerable improvement...the coal had first to be put in sacks, then hauled up by a steam-derrick either on the lighter or by the vessel's own derrick, and then lowered again; but before that could be done it had to pass up the arm of the slanting derrick so as to land over the deck. All this took considerable time...In these days of triumphant engineering skill such a method strikes the lay mind as at least remarkably primitive in its simplicity and in the loss of time involved. What is wanted is not coal in sacks, but a continuous stream of coal passing on board...A slide down which the coal could be shot...would seem to be a consummation devoutly to be wished at Portsmouth, even were it only to do away with the thick coating of coal-dust which, under the present system, settles down upon everything on board, entailing a large expenditure of elbow grease before her Majesty's ships regain their habitual appearance of the smartest vessels afloat'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.