A manual of naval architecture for the use of officers of the Royal Navy, officers of the Mercantile Marine, yachtsmen, shipowners and shipbuilders
White W.H.
Third edition, revised and enlarged. — London, John Murray, Albemarle street, 1894. 764 p.The first edition of this book, published in 1877, grew out of lectures delivered at the Koyal Naval College to naval officers and others studying there: In these lectures it was my endeavour to popularize and explain some of the many problems of naval architecture in a manner which should be intelligible to those who were interested in or connected with shipping, but not engaged as naval architects or shipbuilders. Many officers who attended the lectures requested that they might be published ; and from shipowners, yachtsmen, and other persons came inquiries for a book containing, in popular language, a comprehensive summary of the theory of naval architecture.
Existing treatises had been written mainly for the use of those who desired to obtain an acquaintance with the subject which would fit them for the practice of ship-designing. To benefit by these treatises a considerable knowledge of mathematics was necessary. There was
obviously a want in the literature of naval architecture; and, in its original form, this book was intended lo supply that want, and to enable persons, outside the profession of the naval architect, to obtain a general acquaintance with the principles of the construction, propulsion, and behaviour of ships.
The book was written, therefore, in popular language; and the mathematics introduced were of the simplest character. Explanations were given of many terms and mechanical principles, which required no explanations to readers possessing a good knowledge of mathematics. The details of theoretical investigations were omitted, but the general modes of procedure were sketched, and the practical deductions fully explained and illustrated. From this point of view,
the survey of the theory of naval architecture was made as complete as possible.
The principal deductions from theory respecting the buoyancy, stability, behaviour, resistance, and propulsion of ships, were set forth at length. Practical rules were given for regulating the draught and stowage of ships, estimating their tonnage, and approximating to their stability. Writing largely for the information of seamen, it was my endeavour to awaken in their minds an intelligent interest in the observations of deep-sea waves and the behaviour of ships. Such observations, carefully made and properly recorded, are of the greatest value to future ship-designing, and, from the nature of the case, can only be made by seamen. Practical shipbuilding was not treated in any detail, but a comprehensive sketch was given of the structural arrangements in various types of ships, of the relative qualities of the principal materials used in shipbuilding, and the principles which govern the work of the shipbuilder in providing the -strength necessary to resist the action of the various straining forces to which the hulls of ships are subjected during service at sea. It was anticipated that such a book, while primarily designed for the use of naval officers in the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine shipowners, and yachtsmen, would prove useful also as an introduction for students of naval architecture to more formal and mathematical treatises, while it would serve as a book of reference for
naval architects, shipbuilders, and marine engineers.
These anticipations were realized. The book has had a wide circulation in this country and abroad. The Admiralty has approved it as a text-book for officers of the Royal Navy, and it has been issued to H.M. ships. The naval authorities of Italy and Germany have similarly approved of translations of the work. It has been extensively used by the classes for whom it was originally undertaken naval officers, shipowners, yachtsmen, and others interested in shipping.
It has become a text-book for students of naval architecture, and has been welcomed by professional men engaged in the design and construction of ships and propelling machinery.
A second edition was issued in 1882, revised and enlarged. Since that time the work has been reprinted without revision. Pressure of other work prevented me from undertaking a task which
became increasingly necessary as time passed and progress was made in shipbuilding. At length the demand for a new edition became imperative; and under very difficult conditions, arising out of responsible and heavy official duties, the task now completed has been carried out, occupying my scanty leisure for nearly two years.
In this edition the general arrangement previously adopted has been maintained. A large portion of the book has been rewritten, and it has been considerably increased in size. All the sections have been carefully revised and brought up to date. The notable advance made during recent years in the application of scientific methods to merchant-ship construction has made it possible to add greatly to the information given in regard to the stability, strength, and propulsion of vessels of various types. Important inquiries and legislation have taken place also since the previous edition appeared, dealing with the load-line, the tonnage, and the watertight subdivision of merchant ships. These subjects have been summarized and discussed in the following pages, and the information brought together will be of interest to many readers.
The section dealing with steamship propulsion is practically a new and much extended treatment of this important subject. An endeavour has been made to summarize and digest the most recent and valuable theoretical and experimental investigations bearing on steamship performance and the efficiency of propellers. In the chapter on sailing ships will be found a careful resume of the latest investigations of the laws of wind pressure.
I venture to hope that in its new form the book will be of greater value to naval architects and shipbuilders, while it will lose nothing of its interest for other classes of readers. Much of the information contained herein has necessarily been drawn from the work of other writers. The substance of various papers of my own, previously published, has been used. I am indebted also to many friends for valuable information not previously published, especially in regard to ships of the mercantile marine. In all cases it has been my endeavour to acknowledge the sources of information, and these references may be of value to students desiring to follow up the complete treatment of subjects which are only briefly touched upon in the following pages.
To Mr. W. E. Smith, of the Constructive Staff, my thanks are due for valuable assistance in the passage of this edition through the press.
Existing treatises had been written mainly for the use of those who desired to obtain an acquaintance with the subject which would fit them for the practice of ship-designing. To benefit by these treatises a considerable knowledge of mathematics was necessary. There was
obviously a want in the literature of naval architecture; and, in its original form, this book was intended lo supply that want, and to enable persons, outside the profession of the naval architect, to obtain a general acquaintance with the principles of the construction, propulsion, and behaviour of ships.
The book was written, therefore, in popular language; and the mathematics introduced were of the simplest character. Explanations were given of many terms and mechanical principles, which required no explanations to readers possessing a good knowledge of mathematics. The details of theoretical investigations were omitted, but the general modes of procedure were sketched, and the practical deductions fully explained and illustrated. From this point of view,
the survey of the theory of naval architecture was made as complete as possible.
The principal deductions from theory respecting the buoyancy, stability, behaviour, resistance, and propulsion of ships, were set forth at length. Practical rules were given for regulating the draught and stowage of ships, estimating their tonnage, and approximating to their stability. Writing largely for the information of seamen, it was my endeavour to awaken in their minds an intelligent interest in the observations of deep-sea waves and the behaviour of ships. Such observations, carefully made and properly recorded, are of the greatest value to future ship-designing, and, from the nature of the case, can only be made by seamen. Practical shipbuilding was not treated in any detail, but a comprehensive sketch was given of the structural arrangements in various types of ships, of the relative qualities of the principal materials used in shipbuilding, and the principles which govern the work of the shipbuilder in providing the -strength necessary to resist the action of the various straining forces to which the hulls of ships are subjected during service at sea. It was anticipated that such a book, while primarily designed for the use of naval officers in the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine shipowners, and yachtsmen, would prove useful also as an introduction for students of naval architecture to more formal and mathematical treatises, while it would serve as a book of reference for
naval architects, shipbuilders, and marine engineers.
These anticipations were realized. The book has had a wide circulation in this country and abroad. The Admiralty has approved it as a text-book for officers of the Royal Navy, and it has been issued to H.M. ships. The naval authorities of Italy and Germany have similarly approved of translations of the work. It has been extensively used by the classes for whom it was originally undertaken naval officers, shipowners, yachtsmen, and others interested in shipping.
It has become a text-book for students of naval architecture, and has been welcomed by professional men engaged in the design and construction of ships and propelling machinery.
A second edition was issued in 1882, revised and enlarged. Since that time the work has been reprinted without revision. Pressure of other work prevented me from undertaking a task which
became increasingly necessary as time passed and progress was made in shipbuilding. At length the demand for a new edition became imperative; and under very difficult conditions, arising out of responsible and heavy official duties, the task now completed has been carried out, occupying my scanty leisure for nearly two years.
In this edition the general arrangement previously adopted has been maintained. A large portion of the book has been rewritten, and it has been considerably increased in size. All the sections have been carefully revised and brought up to date. The notable advance made during recent years in the application of scientific methods to merchant-ship construction has made it possible to add greatly to the information given in regard to the stability, strength, and propulsion of vessels of various types. Important inquiries and legislation have taken place also since the previous edition appeared, dealing with the load-line, the tonnage, and the watertight subdivision of merchant ships. These subjects have been summarized and discussed in the following pages, and the information brought together will be of interest to many readers.
The section dealing with steamship propulsion is practically a new and much extended treatment of this important subject. An endeavour has been made to summarize and digest the most recent and valuable theoretical and experimental investigations bearing on steamship performance and the efficiency of propellers. In the chapter on sailing ships will be found a careful resume of the latest investigations of the laws of wind pressure.
I venture to hope that in its new form the book will be of greater value to naval architects and shipbuilders, while it will lose nothing of its interest for other classes of readers. Much of the information contained herein has necessarily been drawn from the work of other writers. The substance of various papers of my own, previously published, has been used. I am indebted also to many friends for valuable information not previously published, especially in regard to ships of the mercantile marine. In all cases it has been my endeavour to acknowledge the sources of information, and these references may be of value to students desiring to follow up the complete treatment of subjects which are only briefly touched upon in the following pages.
To Mr. W. E. Smith, of the Constructive Staff, my thanks are due for valuable assistance in the passage of this edition through the press.
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