Why Not Sails,
Abstract
With the shortage of fossil fuels becoming a serious problem and the high cost and environmental hazards of nuclear propulsion, it appears to be a good time to go back and take a hard look at the use of sails as the device and wind as the energy source for ship propulsion. (In the interest of adding credance to what may be considered a questionable endeavor, it should be noted that serious studies are being made both in Britain and West Germany concerning the practicality of sail propulsion for commercial vessels.) The paper reviews the history of sails as a means of propulsion, the capabilities and limitations of modern sailing ship designs with both conventional displacement hulls and unconventional hull forms such as semi-submersible and hydrofoil supported considered. A variety of designs to suit naval and commercial applications are provided for further consideration. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058644
Entities
People
- Kenneth C. Morisseau