Evening journal., 1918-03-19
DOUBLE HULL PLAN
FOR THE New SHIPS
Steel Vessels Not Too Far
Advanced TO be Changed
Accordingly
HOPE TO BALK
The SUBMARINES

WASHINGTON. March ia revom-
tlonary change Of construct. on methods
in the American shipbuildiRg program
has been determined on by the shipping
Board. Immediate steps are 10 be taken
10 build ships for defense and immun-
iiy asa nst submarine attack.
Heretofore the board has rejected all
Ideas for submarine defense as imprac-
licable nd has been engaged fun tit
on q building program designed 10
outstrip sumarine houses by building
vessels faster than the Germans could
sink them. British and American au-
horities after years Of study were con-
WINGED that there was no adequate and
practical defense or protection against
the submarine torpedo
Official announcement was made YES
terday, however, ofsan abrupt change
tn construction methods. Hereafter all
vessels are 10 be constructed Of the two
compartment type, with many addi-
tional transverse bulkbeads. Stripped
of technicality this means that all
ships are to be built with double bot
toms, an inner and an outer hull, am
ply trussed and riveted together and
with the space between filled W tn coal.
oil or waste, 10 absorb and deaden the
force Of torpedo explosion against the
outer shell or hun.
This type Of ship was recommended
n The Shipping Board and the Emerg-
ency Fleet Corporation by Rear Admiral
D. NJ Taylor. chief constructor Of the
navy. It was on the strength Of the
report that Chairman Hurley and other
members Of the Shipping Board and
Emergency Fleet Corporation deter
mined upon a change Of design for all
Of the steel ships. The change will
not apply TO the wooden shipbuilding
program. where it is impractical
The change will give cargo carriers
somewhat along the type OF battleship
and cruiser construction in which the
Two compartment plan is generally fol-
lowed out. Admiral Taylor Is one of
The greatest authorities on defensive
huh construction and has practically
devoted his life to the problem for the
navy. His report covered details OF ihc
type Of construction recommended and
said that it would be practicable for
defence against submarines II the drain
age system was properly disposed.
Plans for the 5000, 1900 ton and
other large steel ships to be built by
the Emergency Fleet organization are
being changed TO care for the new con-
struction. The change likewise will
be made in ships already laid down in
every case where they are not so far
advanced that alteration is impractic-
able.
Though no definite announcement was
made. it is understood that comman-
deered ships ara to be finished accord
ing TO the original plan. though the
change may be made in some Of them.
The change can be affected, 10 Is said
boy officials. without appreciable DELAY
In the building program. Construction
work viii not be retarded, though there
,yin be more work per ship. The cost
win be increased for both labor and
material. The outer shell or hull can
DE made lighter than 10 Is In the pres
cnt design.
Practically half Of the steel ships be-
ing built for the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration are 30 be oil burners. They
win carry their oil supplies in the COM
partments between the two huIls and
rs the oil Is consumed the space may
be filled with wafer
The same principle applies to the coal
burning vessels, though all OF the bunk
rage cannot be carried between hulls.