FINS FOR SHIPS

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1936, Page 2

FINS FOR SHIPS

TO STOP ROLLING. RUGBY, September 18. ■ A test was held yesterday off Ventnor, Isle of Wighr,. of the DennyBrown Stabiliser, to prevent rolling of ships in rough seas. The stabiliser, it is claimed, will reduce rolling to such on extent as will provide comfortable conditions 'for all on board, except in very heavy weather. . The device had been produced by Dennys, of Dumbarton, and Brown Brothers, of Edinburgh, after three years’ retirement. It consists of two retractable fins, one on either side of the sh p which can be worked like horizontal rudders. The stabiliser tested yesterday weighs only 15 tons and costs between £7OOO and £9OOO. The drag is said to be slight as to reduce the speed of a 19-knoti Channel boat, by less than half ■a knot, and the makers state that this would be offset by the ability to keep a more accurare course in heavy weather.

Features of the stabiliser were explained in a. film shown on board a Channel sreamer in which tests were made, and it was stated that it could be fitted to ships of any size. The test was attended by representatives of the Admiralty, the .Board of Trade, the Japanese Navy, the' American and Brazilian Embassies, and 1 several British and foreign steam ship companies.