and 2.5 meters total depth, and with a draught of 1.5 meters will be
capable of carrying a load of 100 tons (of 1,000 kilos each).
Correspondingly the duplex vessel will be able to carry 200 tons, with
a minimum draught of 2.4 meters and a width of 5.4 meters, but, with a
favorable height of the water level, the draught of the semi-barge may
be increased to 1.65 and that of duplex vessels to 2.7 meters.

Where not limited to certain proportions by the dimensions of the
locks to be passed, the vessel may in the first place be made longer;
the width and height may also be increased accordingly (provided that
the proportion of breadth to width is kept within the ratio 4:2.5), so
that the semi-barges may be constructed for a single burden up to 300
tons, or 600 for the duplex vessel.

As regards the nature of the cargo, parcels would not be admissible in
this instance, but any kind of homogeneous cargo would be suitable
which would bear laying over on one side.

Thus this style of vessel would be well adapted for petroleum tank
vessels, for the transport of all kinds of cereals, flour, coffee, and
sugar in sacks--these latter being held in position by an arrangement
of planking and boards so as to prevent any overturning of the goods
on the vessels being folded up or taken apart. Similarly in the case
of a cargo of loose grain or other loose produce, the same must be
prevented from being upset by a kind of wooden casing.

Two semi-vessels loaded with different cargoes may be coupled
together, provided that there is not too much difference between their
respective draughts. Slight differences may be balanced by the water
compartments being filled to a greater or smaller extent.