Effective and durable hull fastenings have been essential for boats and ships throughout history, enabling them to ply the seas. Ships Fastenings: From Sewn Boat to Steamship, by author Michael McCarthy, provides a comprehensive treatment of the parts that hold the boat together, offering fascinating descriptions of a range of techniques from ancient times to the twentieth century. It also includes a history of discoveries and innovations, such as copper sheathing, metallurgy, rivets, welding, and non-magnetic fastenings, as well as the development of underwriting and insurance. This book is a valuable guide for shipbuilders, historians, and archaeologists, as well as enthusiasts and amateur boat builders.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2023
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press

Boats and Ships: The Importance of Durable Hull Fastenings

Boats and ships have been a vital part of human history for thousands of years, enabling us to explore the vast oceans and navigate the world's waterways. However, without effective and durable hull fastenings, these vessels would not have been able to ply the seas. In this second edition of "Ships Fastenings: From Sewn Boat to Steamship," author Michael McCarthy provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the various techniques and materials used to fasten boats and ships together.

McCarthy begins by tracing the history of hull fastenings, from the earliest days of seafaring through the twentieth century. He discusses the different types of fastenings used in various periods, including sewn-plank boats, Micronesia, Viking ships, Mediterranean caravels, nineteenth-century ocean clippers, and steamships. He also provides a history of many of the discoveries and innovations that accompanied changes in the kinds of fastenings used and the ways they were secured.

One of the most significant developments in hull fastenings was the introduction of copper sheathing. Copper sheathing was used to protect ships from corrosion and to improve their speed and efficiency. McCarthy discusses the process of copper sheathing and the various types of copper used in the process. He also discusses the metallurgy of copper and the development of Muntz metal, which was used in the construction of many ships in the nineteenth century.

Rivets of all types were also used in hull fastenings. Rivets were used to join two pieces of metal together and were made from a variety of materials, including copper, iron, and steel. McCarthy discusses the different types of rivets and the techniques used to install them. He also discusses the development of welding in the ancient and modern sense and the types of non-magnetic fastenings needed on World War II minesweepers.

In addition to the development of hull fastenings, McCarthy also discusses the development of underwriting and insurance. The registries kept by Lloyds and others provided not only guides to the suitability of a particular ship but also dictated the form and method of fastening. This was important because it ensured that ships were built to meet certain safety standards and that they were insured against damage.

"Ships Fastenings: From Sewn Boat to Steamship" is a valuable resource for shipbuilders, historians, and archaeologists. It provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the various techniques and materials used to fasten boats and ships together. It is also a valuable guide for the enthusiast and amateur boat builder. Whether you are interested in the history of hull fastenings or the construction of your own boat, this book is a must-read.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648431043
Edition number: 2 Revised edition