Fouled hulls causing loss of speed
Fouled hulls causing loss of speed
One of the major problems facing the RN during both WW1 & WW2, was the fouling of ships hulls which caused a reduction in speed, which given the state of warfare at sea at the time could prove crucial in staying afloat.
Does anyone know the typical speed reduction for a ship with a fouled hull?
Andy H
Does anyone know the typical speed reduction for a ship with a fouled hull?
Andy H
not loss of speed, but more fuel consumption (in the end, it is the same thing...) I think the data applies to all ships.
from: http://www.cda.org.uk/megab2/corr_rs/tn30/sec15.htm
best regards
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppfuhrer
from: http://www.cda.org.uk/megab2/corr_rs/tn30/sec15.htm
more data in the linkClose monitoring of the operation of these vessels has shown that the steel hulled boats need to be taken out of the water for cleaning every six months whilst fouling of the copper-nickel hull is minimal. Initial fuel savings were about 15%. This figure grew to nearly 50% when compared with a fouled steel hulled boat due for cleaning. After four years the steel hulls were so far corroded as to need significant replacement of plating
best regards
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppfuhrer
Re: Fouled hulls causing loss of speed
Depends of course on how bad (old) the fouling is and Xaviers note of increased fuel consumption is noted. When the SCHEER was about to break-back to Germany her max. speed, due to fouling, was down to about 24½ knots. In a de-fouling operation undertaken in the South Atlantic (the ship was ballasted to a 15-degree or so list, alternatively port and starboard - and before bunkering for the return - so she was relatively high in the water) she regained a top-speed of about 26 knots but managed in tight corners and with everything taken out of the diesels, almost 27,3 knots. I may be wrong - but understand that the fouling is most severe on waterline and the next ten feet down.Andy H wrote:One of the major problems facing the RN during both WW1 & WW2, was the fouling of ships hulls which caused a reduction in speed, which given the state of warfare at sea at the time could prove crucial in staying afloat.
Does anyone know the typical speed reduction for a ship with a fouled hull?
Andy H
Re: Fouled hulls causing loss of speed
The only info I have handy concerns the monitors Roberts and Abercrombie. For these fat-hulled ships, bottom fouling "translated into a loss of two knots after six months out of dock, while endurance would fall from 3600 miles to 2700 miles at 10 knots." (Fleets of World War II) For these ships, 2 knots represented a 15% drop. Please note that the rate of bottom fouling would vary; ships operating in the cold North Sea would not suffer as quickly as those operating from warm Pearl Harbor.
Thank you both for your added comments.
I think it's important that when people start quoting stats at each other especially concerning ships, that they remember that all the figures given in most books, are 'ideal' in there nature. which as we know can be far from the truth at the given time of an event
Again thank you
Andy H
I think it's important that when people start quoting stats at each other especially concerning ships, that they remember that all the figures given in most books, are 'ideal' in there nature. which as we know can be far from the truth at the given time of an event
Again thank you
Andy H
Thank you both for your added comments.
I think it's important that when people start quoting stats at each other especially concerning ships, that they remember that all the figures given in most books, are 'ideal' in there nature. which as we know can be far from the truth at the given time of an event
Again thank you
Andy H
I think it's important that when people start quoting stats at each other especially concerning ships, that they remember that all the figures given in most books, are 'ideal' in there nature. which as we know can be far from the truth at the given time of an event
Again thank you
Andy H