Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-15
AU q U 8 r. A.
IRON AND UOODEN VESSELS


The loss of the Atlautic has caused an
earnest discussion of the relative merits of
wood and iron for vessels. The Atlantic
was kui}f OF iron. - In a.few moments atfer1-
she struck the rock on which she was
wrecked she went to the bottom, allowing
no time to the unfortunate passengers bcs
low to escape, who were sutfocated or
drowned in their berths by hundreds.
ThonghtfiI men say that had she been
constructed of wood she could not have
gone down so quickly, and that the min
utes thus saved would have permitted the
escape Of the passengers to the deck and
probably been the means Of the preserva-
ton of their lives. The Boston Globe
says ian eminent shipbuilder OF Brooklyn
told a.newspaper reporter, the other day.
that he was inclined to believe in the SUI
periority of wooden vessels, though he
acknowledged that iron ships had certain
merits. He said that if the Atlantic had
been built OF wood, she would probably
have kept afioat much longer, and thus
have prevented so great a sacrifice of hui
man life A wooden vessel is not so like
ly to be seriously injured by striking on a
rock, and the debris keeps out good deal
of water. The greater natural buoyancy
Of the material prevents such instantane-
Gus sinking as follows the displacement
OF All iron plate. A wooden steamer has
been known to keep afloat after striking
a rock, though the stern had been carried
away, in addition to other injuries. The
difference betwe en- an iron and wooden
ship is like that between a tin pail and a
wooden bucket. The former will float
when empty, but sink if water is put into
it, while the latter will float though full of
water. Air tight compartments as we
pointed out the other day, were of no use
to the Atlantic, On account of her dispro-
potiOnate length, resulting in their being
crushed by the shock which broke her
back. In iron steamers they are always
source. of weakness, from the bolts
which, placed one above another. fasten
them to the ships side. Their effect has
been compared to the perforated line be-
tween postage stamps, and If, as is prob
able. the Atlantic fell over on her side,
this would account for her rapid destruc-
ton This evil is avoided in wooden YES
sells by having the compartments secured
by blocks Of wood fastened on the inside"
But in addition to the disadvantages of
iron ships as shown in the disaster which
befell the Atlantic, there are others which
experience has proved. Their bottoms
become foul easily, injuring their sailing
qualities, and are difficult to be kept clean.
I'm regard to durability" says the Globe,
''the advantage is with wooden ships, as
is shown by the report of an English COM
mittee of Investigation, that no iron YES
sci is trustworthy after twelve years SER
vice. 1t is easy to ascertain, by boring,
the actual condition of wooden ship,
but an iron one evades the tests. There
are some advantages in the use Of iron for
steamship construction which will per-
haps result in its retention, greater care
being given to the quality of the material
employed. Such vessels are said to con-
tain more cubic feet of space and weigh
less than if built of timber, and may be
considered cheaper. 1t is obvious, how
ever, that considerations OF cheapness
have been carried too far, and the use of
an inferior quality Of iron will account for
the large number of such vessels that
have lately been lost. When iron steam
ships were first built, great care was used
in this respect, and the safety as well as
speed of the vessels having led to higher
rates of freight than could be secured by
wooden ships. the English builders con-
stracted them Of inferior and less expen-
sive materials.
There is little doubt not only that the
reaction which is taking place in favor of
wooden vessels, but the demand for an
improved quality of iron ones, will add to
the impetus which has been given to the
revival of ship building in this country
In this, England is our chief competitor,
and the national causes which interfere
with her interests in this respect favors
ours; as inc reverse Oh tne prOpOSltlOn
has been shown by the decline of this
branch of industry among us since the
war. The increased cost of iron coal
and labor in Great Britain is having its
effect in throwing the carrying trade into
our hands. Although the restrictions
which helped TO dismantle our shipyards
still exist, and the facilities which we once
possessed have been lessened by the trans
fer into other branches of industry of the
skilled labor which cannot be easily crea-
ted; yet the demand for tonnage will in
time restore us to our old position, and
probably vastly improve it. Our wooden
ships can now be sold in Liverpool and
London at fair profit, and the advantage
which we possess for the construction of
iron steamers are such as to ensure us q
fair share Of development in this branch
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