Wartime Standard Ships

by Nick Robins

Overview

In both World Wars there arose a pressing need for merchant tonnage both to supplement existing ships but, more importantly, to replace ships that had been sunk by enemy action, and the key to the Allied strategy in both wars was a massive programme of merchant shipbuilding. This need gave rise to a series of standard designs with increasing emphasis on prefabrication and a progression towards welded hulls.This new book tells the remarkable story of the design and construction of the many types that not only contributed to their countrys war efforts, but were also responsible for a cultural change in world shipbuilding that would lay the foundations for the post-war industry. The story begins in the First World War with the National type cargo ships which were the first examples of prefabricated construction. The best known of all types of wartime standard ships, of course, were the Liberty ships and their successor, the better equipped Victory ships, both built in the United States. Some 2,700 Liberty ships were built and this incredible achievement undoubtedly saved the Allies from losing the War. In Canada, the Ocean and Park ships made a further major contribution. Germany and Japan also introduced standard merchant shipbuilding programmes during the Second World War and these are covered in detail. The many different types and designs are all reviewed and their roles explained, while the design criteria, innovative building techniques and the human element of their successful operation is covered.Some of the story has been told piecemeal in a range of diverse books and articles, a few with extensive fleet lists. However, the complete history of the twentieth century wartime-built standard merchant ship has not previously been written, so this new volume recording that history within its appropriate technical, political and military background will be hugely welcomed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781848323780
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	34 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

NICK ROBINS, a geologist by profession, is acknowledged for setting maritime history within the bigger social and political picture. His books describe the evolution of a variety of ship types ranging from tugs and tenders to excursion steamers and cargo vessels. His last book, The Coming of the Comet, was published by Seaforth in 2012.

Table of Contents

Preface x

Foreword Ian Ramsay xi

1 The Concept: Austere, Functional and Lots of Them 1

2 Fit For Purpose: The Design Criteria 11

3 Ships Built in Britain During the Great War 23

4 The American and Canadian Great War 'Bridge of Ships' 33

5 The Commercial Role of the Standard Ships of the Great War 44

6 At War Again - Rebuilding, Lessons Learnt and Lend-Lease 55

7 United States Maritime Commission - C,T and N Classes 65

8 The Empire Ships Built in Britain 77

9 The Liberty Shipbuilding Programme: 'Built by the Mile and Cut Off by the Yard' 88

10 Canadian Shipbuilding and Shipowning, and Australia's Rivers 101

11 Liberty's Successor, the Victory Ships 111

12 German Standard Ships Built in the Second World War 121

13 Japanese Standard Ships 129

14 The Big Sell-Off and Post-War Commercial Success of the Standard Ships 140

15 The Influence of Standard Ship Design on the Evolution of Naval Architecture 152

16 Successes and Failures - An Unparalleled Achievement 162

References 174

Index 175