Transactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Volume 39 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...may float under all conditions with due displacement, draught of water, and stability; and (3) the science which provides for so adapting form to fluid resistances that vessels may be propelled, either by external or by internal forces, with due economy and security. The first of these divisions occupied no part of Dr. Woolley's paper, but I have introduced it here, because of the great importance it has assumed in these days of long and large ships. A full exposition of its principles would have to start with an investigation of all the strains to which ships are subjected, and to comprise a theoretical explanation of the manner in which these are all provided for. This investigation has not, within my knowledge, yet been made, or even attempted, in any connected or exhaustive manner. The transition from wood shipbuilding to iron, which had made some progress in 1800, has been succeeded by the abandonment of iron for steel, and nickel steel now appears likely to replace steel; while other alloys, such as bronze and aluminium, have occasionally been more or less employed. It would be a great advantage, doubtless, were a theory of strain and of strength worked out in such a form as to prescribe minimum scantlings and proper butt and joint connections for all forms of sea-going ships, and for all parts of them, adjustable by means of constants to the use of various metals of known strength and durability. But the production of such a theory, and its embodiment in appropriate formulae, is a task reserved for the future, and is one not unworthy of the labour of some of our younger men. All that has been done in this respect during the existence of our Institution is to prepare the way for such a theory, and much work of this preparatory kind has been accomplish...