REVIVAL OF WOODEN SHIPBUILDING AS A WAR INDUSTRY. 

 By Carlos deZafra, M. E., Associate. 



[Read at the twenty-sixth general meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, held in 



Philadelphia, November 14 and 15, 1918.] 



It is interesting to note that the supremacy of nations has been ever propor- 

 tional to their command of the seas. Greek history, Egyptian history, Roman and 

 Spanish history are each most exciting during their respective sea power periods. 

 Little difference did it make were the propelling force man power, as exemplified in 

 the 40 and 6o-oared galleys of medieval days, or sail or steam as of to-day. 



It is also interesting to note that, in the text-books up to shortly before our 

 Civil War, no reference to metal vessels is to be found, because, since iron will not 

 float, the idea of an iron ship was preposterous. Also, its effect on the compass 

 would be fatal ; its corrosion in water and fouling from marine growth were argu- 

 ments against the use of iron. These objections, however, were gradually over- 

 come as the first argument, that of the non-floatability of iron, was found to be based 

 on a fallacy. 



Steel seems to have been introduced as a shipbuilding material about 1870, but 

 there is no denying that the wooden vessel has given excellent service and, in the 

 emergency in which we now find ourselves and notwithstanding the tremendous 

 steel output for shipbuilding purposes, the wooden ship which gradually became ob- 

 solete has again come into its own. 



The allied nations of this great war have been quick to supplement their ship- 

 building programs with provision for a number of wooden ships. This has resulted 

 in a revival of an old and obsolete industry to a degree, in this country, far exceed- 

 ing in magnitude its most glorious days, and this in the face of a war — indeed, in 

 the heat of battle as it were — for it is now that the strength of the United States 

 is being felt in no uncertain degree on the battle front of Europe, and it is our hon- 

 ored Secretary of the Navy who said that the measure of ships was the sole measure 

 of American strength in France to-day. 



In connection with the present shipbuilding activities, there has been consider- 

 able speculation as to what will be the amount of tonnage produced by the United 

 States during the year 19 18. A recent estimate places this amount at 4,000,000 tons 

 deadweight capacity, and I have even heard 6,000,000 tons mentioned in an offhand 

 way. Stupendous events and undertakings are now under way, and the expecta- 

 tions of the allied governments are such as demand tremendous results from us. 



Let us retrospect a little, that we may get a better perspective of the whole 

 proposition and better appreciate what we are trying to do, and are doing, to-day. 



