The general arrangement of piping was designed so that it was possible to pump from any flooded compartment by two independent systems of 10-inch mains having cross connections between them. These were controlled from above by rods and wheels led to the level of the bulkhead deck. By these it was possible to isolate any flooded space, together with any suctions in it. If any of these should happen accidentally to be left open, and consequently out of reach, it could be shut off from the main by the wheel on the bulkhead deck. This arrangement was specially submitted to the Board of Trade and approved by them. The double bottom of the vessel was divided by 17 transverse water-tight divisions, including those bounding the fore and aft peaks, and again subdivided by a center fore-and-aft bulkhead, and two longitudinal bulkheads, into 46 compartments. Fourteen of these compartments had 8-inch suctions, 23 had 6-inch suctions, and 3 had 5-inch suctions connected to the 10-inch ballast main suction; 6 compartments were used exclusively for fresh water. The following bilge suctions were provided for dealing with water above the double bottom, viz, in No. 1 hold two 3-1/2-inch suctions, No. 2 hold two 3-1/2-inch and 2 3-inch suctions, bunker hold, two 3-1/2-inch and two 3-inch suctions. The valves in connection with the forward bilge and ballast suctions were placed in the firemen's passage, the water-tight pipe tunnel extending from No. 6 boiler room to the after end of No. 1 hold. In this tunnel, in addition to two 3-inch bilge suctions, one at each end, there was a special 3-1/2-inch suction with valve rod led up to the lower deck above the load line, so as always to have been accessible should the tunnel be flooded accidentally. In No. 6 boiler room there were three 3-1/2-inch, one 4-1/2-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In No. 5 boiler room there were three 3-1/2-inch, one 5-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In No. 4 boiler room there were three 3-1/2-inch, one 4-1/2-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In No. 3 boiler room there were three 3-1/2-inch, one 5-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In No. 2 boiler room there were three 3-1/2-inch, one 5-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In No. 1 boiler room there were two 3-1/2-inch, one 5-inch, and two 3-inch suctions. In the reciprocating engine room there were two 3-1/2-inch, six 3-inch, two 18-inch, and two 5-inch suctions. In the turbine engine room there were two 3-1/2-inch, three 3-inch, two 18-inch, two 5-inch, and one 4-inch suctions. In the electric engine room there were four 3-1/2-inch suctions. In the storerooms above the electric engine room there was one 3-inch suction. In the forward tunnel compartment there were two 3-1/2-inch suctions. In the water-tight flat over the tunnel compartment there were two 3-inch suctions. In the tunnel after compartment there were two 3-1/2-inch suctions. In the water-tight flat over the tunnel after compartment there were two 3-inch suctions.