The iron and steel plates are first manipulated in a large shed open at the sides and ends, and measuring some 500 feet by 150. Here are situated a large number of powerful machine-tools—bending and straightening machines, punching and shearing machines, drilling machines, hydraulic riveting machines and the like. Some are of the largest sizes made, one punching machine being a 33-inch gap tool. Several other machine-tools in this large shed have special features worthy of notice, and one in particular, a flat keel plate bending machine, must be referred to with some detail. The machine in question was made by the Messrs Thomson themselves, and constitutes perhaps the latest application of machinery to shipbuilding purposes. It is supplied by hydraulic power from the accumulator that works the riveting plant—which is on the Tweddell system—and is composed of a number of arms resting on a horizontal bar. The arms are raised or lowered to suit the different shapes required, by means of a hydraulic ram placed at each end and pressing upon the horizontal bars. Leaving the machine-tool shed, which, by the way, is amply provided, as indeed are the works generally, with travelling and fixed lifting appliances, and while _en route_ for the smiths’ shop, are observed several isolated punching and shearing and other machine-tools for special purposes, and driven by self-contained engines or hydraulic power. The smiths’ shop is a well-arranged workshop, 600 feet long by 60 feet wide, and contains 108 smiths’ fires, besides three furnaces at each end for heating frames and plates, for bending and other manipulative purposes. This department is well supplied with the mechanical contrivances of the forge, including steam hammers of various capacities graduating from 12 cwt. up to over one ton. There are 16 small jobbing hammers in this shop; a massive 70-cwt. hammer of Messrs Thomson’s own make, is used in the production of stern-posts, rudders, and heavy forgings. The smiths’ shop is built upon excellent and somewhat unusual principles, the roof being so constructed as to readily admit of the egress of the smoke from the fires, thus securing good ventilation.