CONCRETE SHIPS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 145094, 20 September 1916, Page 6

CONCRETE SHIPS.

REMARKS BY AN EXPERT. ’ In connection with a recent cablegram. statins that concrete ships had been built in Sweden, Mr. Goorcc Wilson, of Wilson’s Cement Company, was interviewed by an Auckland Star reporter. Mr, Wilson said:—“ltaly has in the past constructed very largo pontoons and also punte of concrete. The latter are used for going out to vessels as lighters. Concrete has also been used in British warships for the strengthening of the bottom of vessels. It also has the adsautage that it keeps the inside of the plates free from rust. For over a decade the Baltimore Yacht Club has had a yacht of about 120 tons built of concrete, and tho reports regarding her arc that in fine weather she is beaten by the ordinary yachts, but in rough, heavy seas she passes the others. Of course, there is no more difficulty in making concrete vessels float than there is in doing the same with iron vessels. When tho first suggestion was made to construct vessels from iron, it was laughed at as ridiculous, hut that day is past long ago. Of course it is only reinforcement that has made tho construction of .ships from concrete possible. Sand barges on the Thames have been in use for some time. Tho reports state that tho barges are 300 tons, and can be constructed in three weeks, which is certainly quick work. The Baltimore yacht has been on the rocks once or twice, and stood the bumping well. That, of course, was to be expected, as there is virtually no .ioint in properly constructed concrete. I do not think, however, there is any subject under tho sun which has been before the people so long, and yet is so little understood, than the question of concrete structures/*