Construction of the Aquitania's Hull
By Joseph B. Rayder
Above - The starboard deck elevation profile and boat deck of the Aquitania, constructed 1910-1914.
(Schematic image file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Schematic image file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
As with any ship that is built there is always precise and careful planning which requires the work of many persons. It had been decided by Cunard’s managing director Mr. Alfred A. Booth and board of directors that the Aquitania would be constructed to accommodate 3.500 persons; 750 first class, 600 second class, 2.000 third class, and 900 crew. A contract was made between the Cunard Line and Messrs. John Brown & Company of Clydebank, Scotland for the building of this new liner.
Parson turbine engines were chosen to be fitted into the Aquitania in order that she would sustain efficient service between Liverpool and New York. The system adapted to configure these turbines was that of a treble series arrangement installed in the aft turbine machinery platform directly six decks below the first class smoke room. The steam generated by the boilers was firstly supplied to the high pressure turbine adjacent to the port wing shaft from where its exhaust was then delivered to the intermediate pressure turbine adjacent to the starboard wing shaft. From here the exhaust was dispersed into the center low pressure turbine which was adjacent to both the inner shafts. The steam pressure diminished as it traveled through each turbine while the remaining steam was then delivered to the condensers which acted as a still to which 18.700 individual pipes were accessed. The length of the auxiliary machinery room was 369’ and its width 60’. Installed for propelling machinery was the direct drive parsons turbine system capable of producing 56.000 horsepower. They were arranged according to the triple screw expansion system on four shafts resulting in Aquitania's quadruple screw expansion system.
Having the turbine engines layout determined, it was then possible to decide on an appropriate propeller configuration that would be suitable to serve the Aquitania in speed efficiency. In comparison to the White Star Lines Olympic and Titanic which used a triple screw configuration it was decided that in relevance to the design of Aquitania’s hull, the chosen size of the rudder, and the gross weight of the liner that a quadruple screw configuration would easily serve the turbine layout and the propulsion of the ship. Naval Architect Leonard Peskett, who was the primary designer of the vessels hull and superstructure, had designed the Aquitania to contain a double bottom running the full length of the hull from the bow to the stern. This double bottom was in fact a requirement of the British Admiralty in an effort to protect the machinery in the event of collision. As a standard, the double bottom had maintained a depth of five feet and four inches having been increased to six feet and three inches under the turbine room. A major improvement in safety was Peskett’s decisive innovations on the watertight bulkhead system; forty-one watertight compartments were installed each being able to be filled or pumped with water separately. The Aquitania’s hull was divided into eighty-four separate compartments.
On 21 April 1913 the Cunarder Aquitania was launched from her builders yard marked 409 and entered the Clyde waters for the first time. However, it is necessary for one to take a quick look into how this ship and other great liners of similar size and weight have been launched in the past. It was a process most intricate and delicate leaving minimal room for any error. Transferring tons of weight from a gantry into the water consists of precision and special care to ensure the liners safety. Tons of lubrication which had been composed of soft soap and tallow was used to grease the Aquitania's keel and underside. At the moment of christening with a few moments of little to almost no motion the great liner would slowly began to slide along the gantry stern first into the water. With anticipation and increased momentum the liner would gain speed and in the final moments would be launched entirely into the water. Weight chains and cables would help slow the liner to a complete stop and the ship would be maneuvered under escort of tugs to her fitting out basin. It should be noted that to start the launch of a liner such as the Aquitania hydraulics were used to give the liner its start down the slipway. Since the Aquitania had been hydraulically riveted together her structure had attained a strong and secure bonding but launching a liner freely from the gantry into the water did not go without its concerns for the liners safety. As an example, in relation to the Aquitania's length of 901 feet, the gantry had to be positioned at an angle from the very beginning of construction to allow the liner to be launched into the Clyde, avoiding the liner from freely launching across the water into the bank side opposite the builder’s yard.
Special preparations had to be made in order to make the Aquitania ready for her launching. A sufficient space between the wood logs and transverse blocks which supported the ship had to be maintained and was achieved by inserting wooden V shaped wedges between the keel and blocks. Standing waysmade of pitch pine were affixed along each side of the ship and after the ship was fully launched into the water these were released. Standing ways are a method by which a ship is cradle down her slipway as she is being launched. The Countess of Derby Alice Stanley was the honored guest who christened the Aquitania. Crowds of nearly 100.000 spectators had come together to see the great Aquitania launched; many of whom had watched the vesselbeing built as it rose above the skyline of Clydebank. At the moment the ship was christened a button was pressed which started the hydraulic launching system which had been employed to release the bow after christening. A hydraulic cylinder was placed at the ship’s bow and steel clips attached alongside the Aquitania on both sides and after the button had been pressed the clips and bow cylinder were released making the Aquitania completely free for launching. From the moment the hydraulic launching system was activated three minutes marked little evidence that the liner was moving save a continuous and growing groan from within the mammoth liner. As the liner began its backwards descent into the Clyde at ten feet per second the launch lasted one minute and thirty-one seconds.
Parson turbine engines were chosen to be fitted into the Aquitania in order that she would sustain efficient service between Liverpool and New York. The system adapted to configure these turbines was that of a treble series arrangement installed in the aft turbine machinery platform directly six decks below the first class smoke room. The steam generated by the boilers was firstly supplied to the high pressure turbine adjacent to the port wing shaft from where its exhaust was then delivered to the intermediate pressure turbine adjacent to the starboard wing shaft. From here the exhaust was dispersed into the center low pressure turbine which was adjacent to both the inner shafts. The steam pressure diminished as it traveled through each turbine while the remaining steam was then delivered to the condensers which acted as a still to which 18.700 individual pipes were accessed. The length of the auxiliary machinery room was 369’ and its width 60’. Installed for propelling machinery was the direct drive parsons turbine system capable of producing 56.000 horsepower. They were arranged according to the triple screw expansion system on four shafts resulting in Aquitania's quadruple screw expansion system.
Having the turbine engines layout determined, it was then possible to decide on an appropriate propeller configuration that would be suitable to serve the Aquitania in speed efficiency. In comparison to the White Star Lines Olympic and Titanic which used a triple screw configuration it was decided that in relevance to the design of Aquitania’s hull, the chosen size of the rudder, and the gross weight of the liner that a quadruple screw configuration would easily serve the turbine layout and the propulsion of the ship. Naval Architect Leonard Peskett, who was the primary designer of the vessels hull and superstructure, had designed the Aquitania to contain a double bottom running the full length of the hull from the bow to the stern. This double bottom was in fact a requirement of the British Admiralty in an effort to protect the machinery in the event of collision. As a standard, the double bottom had maintained a depth of five feet and four inches having been increased to six feet and three inches under the turbine room. A major improvement in safety was Peskett’s decisive innovations on the watertight bulkhead system; forty-one watertight compartments were installed each being able to be filled or pumped with water separately. The Aquitania’s hull was divided into eighty-four separate compartments.
On 21 April 1913 the Cunarder Aquitania was launched from her builders yard marked 409 and entered the Clyde waters for the first time. However, it is necessary for one to take a quick look into how this ship and other great liners of similar size and weight have been launched in the past. It was a process most intricate and delicate leaving minimal room for any error. Transferring tons of weight from a gantry into the water consists of precision and special care to ensure the liners safety. Tons of lubrication which had been composed of soft soap and tallow was used to grease the Aquitania's keel and underside. At the moment of christening with a few moments of little to almost no motion the great liner would slowly began to slide along the gantry stern first into the water. With anticipation and increased momentum the liner would gain speed and in the final moments would be launched entirely into the water. Weight chains and cables would help slow the liner to a complete stop and the ship would be maneuvered under escort of tugs to her fitting out basin. It should be noted that to start the launch of a liner such as the Aquitania hydraulics were used to give the liner its start down the slipway. Since the Aquitania had been hydraulically riveted together her structure had attained a strong and secure bonding but launching a liner freely from the gantry into the water did not go without its concerns for the liners safety. As an example, in relation to the Aquitania's length of 901 feet, the gantry had to be positioned at an angle from the very beginning of construction to allow the liner to be launched into the Clyde, avoiding the liner from freely launching across the water into the bank side opposite the builder’s yard.
Special preparations had to be made in order to make the Aquitania ready for her launching. A sufficient space between the wood logs and transverse blocks which supported the ship had to be maintained and was achieved by inserting wooden V shaped wedges between the keel and blocks. Standing waysmade of pitch pine were affixed along each side of the ship and after the ship was fully launched into the water these were released. Standing ways are a method by which a ship is cradle down her slipway as she is being launched. The Countess of Derby Alice Stanley was the honored guest who christened the Aquitania. Crowds of nearly 100.000 spectators had come together to see the great Aquitania launched; many of whom had watched the vesselbeing built as it rose above the skyline of Clydebank. At the moment the ship was christened a button was pressed which started the hydraulic launching system which had been employed to release the bow after christening. A hydraulic cylinder was placed at the ship’s bow and steel clips attached alongside the Aquitania on both sides and after the button had been pressed the clips and bow cylinder were released making the Aquitania completely free for launching. From the moment the hydraulic launching system was activated three minutes marked little evidence that the liner was moving save a continuous and growing groan from within the mammoth liner. As the liner began its backwards descent into the Clyde at ten feet per second the launch lasted one minute and thirty-one seconds.
Above - The double bottom keel frame for the Aquitania being laid, December 1910.
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
Above - The decking for the lower orlop deck being put into place, March 1911.
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
Above - The hull frames of the Aquitania being assembled, August 1911.
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
Above - The plated keel of the Aquitania on the stocks nearing the hulls completion, ca. 1912.
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
Above - The hull of the Aquitania nearing its completion and ready for launching, April 1913.
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
(Restored photo file © 2012 Joseph B. Rayder)
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