By this system every bulkhead con necting door throughout the'-'vessel below the water line may be closed automatically, and in the space of less than a minute, by the turning of a wheel on the bridge of the steamer. This is effected by,a sys tem of hydraulic pressure. As soon as the vessel has Wn struck, the watch-oflicer on the bridge turns the wheel which operates the automatic

doors. Thereupon electric bells arc sounded at every door, ringing for about '2O seconds as a warning. At the .same time all the doors close, gradually descending from the top. This slow motion is to prevent in jury to persons who might be under thorn.
With all the bulkhead doors ciosed the water which Is poured into the vessel is confined mainly to one com partment, and thus the vessel is pre vented from (illing. All the bulkhead doors may he opened again automat ically from the bridge. The same signal which gives no tice throughout the vessel that the automatic doors are closing warns the crew in the upper decks of the vessel and they are drilled to close all the doors above the water line.
That the commanding officer may be sure that every door is closer) there is a board in the cliarthou.se on which is an electric bulb number ed to correspond with each door. As the door is closed the. corresponding bulb on the hoard in the churthou.se glows. If this automatic system should fail to work, all the doors may be closed by hand in the usual manner,

FOWLS AND THEIR VALUE.
WONDERFUL STORY OF THE AMERICAN HEN.
