What is it about?
The US Maritime Administration was the first to begin a serious national effort to explore the use of the air cushion principle in the design of large ships capable of delivering cargo at high speed across the world's oceans. Chapter 3 describes the details of that development and the coining of the name "surface effect ship". The chapter includes previously lost information on a test craft built and operated to demonstrate the concept.
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Why is it important?
In the late 1950's and early 1960's the American Merchant Marine was in a declining share of the world market and this chapter describes the specific concept deemed to be a potential solution to stemming that decline. With the American Merchant Marine still experiencing a small share of the world market, this chapter describes the approach used and serves as an important data point in the continued development.
Perspectives
As Chief Engineer on the project, the author provides a unique perspective on the aims and the technologies explored in the design.
Mr Peter J Mantle
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The First Surface Effect Ship, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781316106716.004.
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