Limber Passage

A passage or channel formed throughout the whole length of the floor, on each side of the keelson, for giving water a free communication to the pumps. It is formed by the limber-strake on each side, a thick strake wrought next the keelson, from the upper side of which the depth in the hold is always taken. This strake is kept at about eleven inches from the keelson, and forms the passage fore-and-aft which admits the water with a fair run to the pump-well. The upper part of the limber passage is formed by the limber boards, which are made to keep out all dirt and other obstructions. These boards are composed of short pieces of oak plank, one edge of which is fitted by a rabbet into the limber-strake, and the other edge beveled with a descent against the keelson. They are fitted in short pieces for the convenience of taking up any one or more readily in order to clear away any obstruction in the passage. When the limber boards are fitted care should be taken to have the butts in those places where the bulkheads come, as there will be then no difficulty in taking those up which come near the bulkheads. A hole is bored in the middle of each butt to admit the end of a crow for prizing it up when required. To prevent the boards from being displaced, each should be marked with a line corresponding with one on the limber-strake.

Limber Holes are square grooves cut through the underside of the floor-timber, about nine inches from the side of the keel on each side, through which water may run toward the pumps in the whole length of the floors. This precaution is requisite in merchant ships only, where small quantities of water, by the heeling of the ship, may come through the ceiling and damage the cargo. It is for this reason that the lower futtocks of merchant ships are cut off short of the keel.