Note 18 — Chapter IV · PROGRESS IN THE SCIENCE OF SHIPBUILDING.

An obvious means of dealing approximately with stability, to which limits of space will not permit more than simple reference, consists in so manipulating the data obtained by calculation for known ships that it may be made available, either in the form of curves or of tables, for determining the stability of proposed vessels. Methods of accomplishing this may of course vary to suit the ideas and convenience of designers. A well-arranged system was brought forward, jointly by Mr F. P. Purvis, head of Messrs W. Denny & Brothers’ scientific staff, and Mr B. Kindermann, one of his assistants, in a paper (see list at end of chapter) read before the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in April last. While the results exhibited in the paper are immediately applicable to ships of one particular form, whatever the length, breadth, depth, or draught may be, this method still requires much development to make it at all universally applicable.