The protection of ships’ bottoms—a review

Abstract

Introduction: In an island community such as ours, the dependence of the nation's life and economy on merchant shipping must be apparent to at any rate a large proporiion of the population. Yet apart from the occasional passing thought, probably induced by publicity given to a vessel in difficulties at sea, there is remarkably little appreciation of the constant attention that has to be given to keeping ships in a service able and sea-worthy condition. The aspect of this about which there is probably least realisation is the protection of the underwater hull, since this part of the structure is largely unseen when most people view ships.