; beam 16 ft.; over sponsons 25 ft. The
vessel was fitted with a propeller, rudder, and steering gear at each
end, to enable it to run in either direction without having to turn
around. The boat was designed for the purpose of working the train
service across the bay of San Juan, in the island of Puerto Rico, and
for this purpose a single line of steel rails, of meter gauge, is laid
along the center of the deck, and also along the hinged platforms at
each end. In the engraving these platforms are shown, one hoisted up,
and the other lowered to the level of the deck. When the boat is at
one of the landing stages, the platform is lowered to the level of the
rails on the pier, and the carriages and trucks are run on to the deck
by means of the small hauling engine, which works an endless chain
running the whole length of the deck. The trucks, etc., being on
board, the platform is raised by means of two compact hand winches
worked by worm and worm-wheels in the positions shown; thus these two
platforms form the end bulwarks to the boat when crossing the bay.
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