The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-15
Iron on the Sea.

The comparative value Vi lrou duu "oou
for shipbuilding was the subject OF a very
interesting and instructive paper lately read
before the British Iron and Steel Institute by
| Mr.. Charles M. Palmer, an eminent ship
wright Of the Tyne. His statements cannot
fail to strike the attention OF practical men
everywhere Basing his calculations upon
the experiences OF British shippers for
series OF years, Mr.. Palmer shows that for
commercial purposes, an iron ship oil one
| and one quarter inch thickness OF skin is
equal to wooden ship Of six inches thick
| without joints, if such thing were possible.
This estimate is made on the well-establish-
ed rules eff comparative tensile strength OF
materials. In the matter OF weight, the
| disproportion between iron and wooden
tonnage is much greater than is commonly
supposed. An iron vessel OF one thousand
tons will weigh IS per cent less than a
wooden vessel of the same measurement,
the displacement of water being the same;
but the iron ship has further advantage in
having more space for cargo, and in the
fact that it can be built longer and with finer
lines, thus adding to her sailing qualities.
An iron ship is not likely to strain in
heavy sea, whereas the straining of wooden
ships oftep destroys or greatly damages
valuable cargoes. Moreover, the use OF
iron masts, steel yards and wire rigging
effects very large saving in weight aloft,
and affords greater opportunity for the ap-
plication of improved apparatus for reehng.
sails and other labor-saying appliances, by
which an important economy in running ex-
psnses is effected. It is generally believed
that, in the matter of first cost; the iron ship
is necessarily more expensive than wood
en- ship of the same measurement, and eH-
perience has shown this to be the case in this
country; but, according to the carefully
prepared statistics presented by Mr.. Palmer,
it appears that au iron vessel OF one thou
sand tons, taking first cost, repairs, man
agement, aud all other elements into con-
sideration, will carry merchandise 25 per
cent. cheaper than wooden ship OF the
same capacity, and last, with fair usage,
from one.third to one-half longer. 1t is Tor
these reasons, we'll understood by shippers
that iron is fast superseding wooden tom
mage in the commercial marine OF the world;
and it may now be considered an established
fact that any nation seeking to build up o
carrying trade upon the ocean in competi-
ton with those countries which now enjoy
a practical monopoly Of that trade, must
do so with iron, and not with wooden tom
mage.
The first iron ship that went to. sea was
built at Birmingham, and put together in
London, no longer ago than 1920. The pre-
judce in favor of the old material was very
difficult to overcome, and as late as 1850
there was only one ten of iron to nine and
half tons oil wooden vessels constructed in
British yards. Since then the rntio has
rapidly increased and in 1865 the iron ton
mage exceeded that OF wood. During the
past five years wooden .shipbuilding has
rapidly declined. Mr.. Palmer thinks the
amount of iron put into ships within the
boundaries of Great Britain within the last
twenty years cannot fall short of 2, OIL, 100
tons, and estimates the quantity used in
lSIOalone at 250, 900 tons. Iron shipbuild-
ing in the United States is scarcely worth
mentioning, and the causes which operate
against it are said to be chiefly the high
price of labor at the fouudries and ship
yards The average percentage Of excess
in wages in the United States over Great
Britain is set down as follows: In foundries
and machine shops, 81 per cent; in rolling
mills, 4s per cent; and in ship-yards, Al
per cent. Added to this the protective tarlli
swells the cost Of iron imported from Eng
land, and the result is that the American
shipowner is forced TO be behind the times,
and use wood instead OF iron. Mr.. Palmer
believes that within O comparatively short
time the carrying trade OF the world will be
done in iron steamers. Even in the long
voyages to India, China and Australia,
where sailing vessels have heretofore been
used to most advantage change is likely
soon to occur. Recent important improve.
ments in marine engines have lessened the
consumption OF fuel 10 such an extent that
iron screw steamers are sure to soon drive
out all competitors. This result is rendered
the more certain by the completion OF the
Suez Canal
From these views, which are entitled 10
great weight, it would seem that the age OF
iron has begun upon the sea as we'll as on
the land.>