Concrete Ships.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 4, 1 December 1918, Page 377

Concrete Ships.

The project for the building of concrete ships in New Zealand was discussed by the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association recently. Mr. R. Y. Constable, naval architect to the Union Steam Ship Company, did not give the proposal much encouragement, as he thought that what New Zealand could do in the matter would be infinitesimal. Cement, he said, had no hope, under ordinary conditions, against steel or wood. Another speaker suggested the reinforcing with concrete of the 40-odd old iron hulls in New Zealand to make them seaworthy. He also thought a measure of support should be given to the question of constructing wooden ships. The engining of the concrete ships was a very serious point. No plant south of the line was capable of building the boilers, and he was afraid that the difficulties of obtaining the plates from Home would be very great.