TABLE OF CONTENTS It has been said that the problem for a Naval Architect is to design a ship that will carry a certain deadweight at a reasonable rate of stowage in a seaworthy vessel at a predetermined speed on a given radius of action as cheaply as possible all in conjunction with a General Arrangement suited to the ship's trade.
The Naval Architect must therefore keep in mind all of the following:
Main Dimensions
Hull form
Displacement
Freeboard
Depth
Capacities
Trim and stability
Economic considerations
Longitudinal and transverse strength
Structural scantlings
Resistance and powering
Machinery
Endurance
Wood and Outfit
Lightweight and deadweight
Material costs
In determining the Main Dimensions for a new ship, guidance can be taken from a similar ship for which basic details are known. This is known as a basic vessel and must be similar in type, size, speed and power to the new vessel. It is constantly referred to as the new design is being developed.
When a shipowner makes an initial enquiry, he usually gives the shipbuilder four items of information:
Type of vessel
Deadweight of...
