The box fitted over the hole on the left side of a water tank.

A view of the left side of a riveted steel water tank on wooden sleepers on the quayside at Parkeston, Harwich. The box has been fitted over the hole (seen in N22637) using clamps attached onto a vertical bar on the tank. The hole in the box is much larger than that depicted in N22637, suggesting a modification to the design.

Aurora's log records leak stopping parties under instruction in the late morning of 6, 11, 13, and 14 October 1916 [Ship's log, TNA, ADM 53/34496].

In the back right is the main mast with its fighting top of the destroyer depot ship HMS Dido (1896), a converted cruiser.

The original caption described this as 'Mr Roger's Tank', although the identity of Mr Rogers is unknown.

This part of a series (N22636-N22340) showing the same tank with two methods of fixing similar boxes to the tank sides. The purpose of this tank is not known but it seems to be illustrating a way of reducing water ingress resulting from a shell hole in the side of a ship. The box is fitted over the hole and the water can continue to pour in through the hole in the box. Once the box is securely fitted the valve operating the hole in the box can be closed. This should reduce the water entering the ship.

Object Details

ID: N22640
Type: Roll film negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Hooper, Lieutenant Geoffroy William Winsmore
Date made: October 1916
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Captain Gunn Collection
Measurements: Overall: 107 mm x 82 mm