Doing what?

The size and shape as well as the number of these boxes rules out them being for the lifeboats. That only leaves the ship. The only thing I can think of is that they are putting them in the hatches for extra buoyancy in case the hold floods.

Very odd, but I can't think of anything else. A good brain teaser Stein.

Another shot of the (in)famous buoyancy boxes:
http://www.old-picture.com/american-history-1900-1930s/buoyancy-Making-boxes.htm

Best regards from Lisbon,
Paulo Mestre

And here's a website on her. (Just googled the caption, which as so often is the case, gave the answer).http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-civil/civsh-l/lucia.htm Regards, Stein

'Doing what' was always a question asked of dockers

Didn`t Q Ships in both World Wars carry extra buoyancy in case of getting a torpedo in the hull, just a thought more than likely wide of the mark.
David

Well found Stein - another "unsinkable ship" that sunk eh?

Brian