I've been websurfing unsuccessfully for a source that describes the process of how the metal plates were joined to form the hull of the Titanic. If someone were to provide me with such a reference, or a description, it'd be much appreciated.
T.I.A., Mark
There is still a lot of riveted construction around. If you take a careful glance at bridges in your locality you will likely find some examples from as late as the 1970's. The plate holes were predrilled if possible. The rivets were heated in little forges that can be moved around the site. One guy heats rivets then throws them to a catcher who catches the rivet in a metal funnel then quickly with tongs locates the rivet in the hole. One person behind has an air hammer that forms/sets the rivet. The guy in front has bucked the head. The rivet as it cooled would pull the plates even tighter. My father who worked in a Czechoslovakian iron works in his youth definitely had a hearing problem. He only was in there a couple of years before emigrating. Randy
T.I.A., Mark
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