Schiffswerft: To the (involuntary) renaissance of the wooden ship at the beginning of the 20th century and how it was built

Hello,

generally the height of the wooden ship is seen from the 16th to the 19th century. Then, after the composit construction method in the transition period (e.g. Clippers) ships were built of steel.

However, there was a return of the wooden ship (even if, without sail) caused by us Krauts.

When the USA entered into the First World War, there was an immense need in transport capacity. Also the success of the German submarines with the sinking of allied ship space required the new building of ships. This need could not be covered only by steel ships, so that was fallen back on the construction of wooden ships.

In the following I would like to introduce books from beginning of the 20th century from which a book deals with the geometry of shipbuilding, while both other deal directly with the construction. I have discovered all three books at the Internet archives. Indeed, the pdf files offered there were not readable enough to me in the printed out state, therefore I downloaded the books and reworked them with Word. Following the images and links to the single books (release of the revised files with permission of the Internet archives).

Still a tip: The construction method differs of course in details from that of the sailing ships, but the books give a good overview about the construction in themselves.

(A text-book of) laying off, or, The geometry of shipbuilding, Attwood & Cooper, 1918
Here Attwood and Cooper describe after a short explanation of the geometrical basics how on the Loft floor from the plan the lines of the ship or the components are provided. The book might be rather something for the specialists who are interested in the construction process and his basics.

Original link from Internet Archive: Laying Off
revised version: revised

The elements of wood ship construction, Curtis, 1919
Here the construction of the ship is described beginning at the keel up to the windows. A lot of drawings show individual parts and how to join them.

Original link from Internet Archive: Wood Ship Construction
Revised version: revised

How Wooden Ships are Built, Cole Estep, 1918

Mhhmmm, a book for the woodworms among you. In more than 180 pictures and drawings it is shown here how wooden ships were built. The span reaches from the felling and transport of the trunks, about the facilities of the shipyard, up to the construction of the rudder post.