The Pluto had been hurriedly constructed, and any timbers that were available in the emergency were utilized.

Consequently much soft wood, that at other times would never have been found in the state dockyards, was put into her.

The beam at which they were working was of soft timber, and a fine dust fell steadily, as the rough iron was sawed backward and forward upon it.
Two cuts were made under each bolt, wide at the base and converging towards it.

The saws were kept going the whole day, and although the progress was slow, it was fast enough to encourage them; and just as the light, that came through the scuttle, faded away; three of the young men hung their weight upon one of the bolts, and the wood beneath it, already almost severed, gave; and a suppressed cry of satisfaction announced that one bolt was free.
The pieces of iron were two feet long, and were intended for some other purpose, but had been driven in when, on loading the ship, some strong pegs on which to hang carcasses were required.

They were driven about three inches into the beam, and could have been cut out with an ordinary saw in two or three minutes.
"Try the others," Francis said.