"FABRICATED" SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 277, 12 August 1918, Page 6

"FABRICATED" SHIPS

PARTS OF NKW TYPE BUILT AT INLAND WORKS. One of the moat interesting, but least knowu/developments of the present shipbuilding effort in which Great Britain has led the way is that of "fabricated" ships. A "fabricated" ship is a vessel the component parts of which are manufactured in other than shipbuilding yards. Tli,ese component parts are transported to shipbuilding yards, assembled th J re, and put together as complete ships.

It is pointed out that when the Stnte undertook the reorganisation of the United Kingdom's mercantile shipbuilding industry, the principle of standardisation was naturally adopted because in mass' production of a specific object the highest possible speed of output is obtainable. A series of standard ships was designed, and contracts to build them were given out to the private yards of the country. As supplies of steel and labour increased and promised a margin over and above the requirements of the existing controlled shipyards, the idea was carried a stage further. The fabrication of ships was decided on and tho necessary provision made. The aim of the Admiralty De-puty-Controller's Department was still further to increase speed of production. As matters stood, all the shipbuilding yards, engine factories, and boiler shops were largely occupied with standard ship work. There were, however, many other industrial establishments in the country doing work closely resembling shipbuilding and marine engineering. Among them were bridge-building yards and land engine fe.ctories. The majority of them were in inland centres and remote from launching water; but, taken altogether, their resources were so great that jl; was felt that they ought to be used.

'"Fabrication" solved the problem, and a ship was designed the material of which could be satisfactorily fabricated in the bridge yards. It is a bigger vessel than most of the standard ships, and there is not a curved frame in it. Sizo and weight of unit of construction are limited, so that transport is easy and powerful gear for placing it in position is unnecessary. To avoid the same difficulties as regards machinery supply, geared turbines have been adopted instead of reciprocating engines. Every part of the complete ship can, in fact, be fabricated in inland establishments selected near the steel niills which have never done ship or marine engine work, and can bo transported by ordinary means to the seaboard. With .all the slips in private yards filled, it was necessary to look elsewhere for sites for assembling yards. The national shipyards oh the Bristol Channel were laid out for the purpose, and private undertaking? of the same character exist or are projected with the concurrence of tho Admiralty elsewhere. The objection has be?n urged that Stale-owned establishments ought not to have been set up until it was definitely known that the contract industry .could not, provide the required additional facilities. But if. should not be overlooked that in enrrying out its plans the State has a call on labour which is not available to contractors. The bulk'of it is unskilled. labour is, however, being trained in. the use ot pneumatic riveters and caulking tools, and will be (already it is in a large number of instances) sufficiently expert to put the assembled fabricated ships together. The fabrication of the material of ships and engines has now been organised over a considerable area, local committees being responsible in certain districts for definite deliveries of a ship, or a number of ships, in specified periods. Moreover, fabricated ships are taking shape in several assembling yards. Before long, vessels of the type should represent a very considerable addition to. the tonnage output. In the strictest possible sense of the term they will he additional, for their produt :ion will have involved absolutely no interference either with the contract industry or its supplies of labour and material. The State 3 fabricated ship enterprise increases the tonnage output by tapping new sources which are inaccessible or impossible to the private shipbuilder.