SS West Eldara Design and Construction Process

The SS West Eldara was a remarkable ship, and its design and construction process was a testament to the ingenuity of the time.

The ship was built by the renowned shipbuilding company, Harland and Wolff, in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The construction process began in 1910 and took approximately two years to complete, with the ship being launched on October 12, 1912.

The SS West Eldara was designed to be a passenger and cargo ship, with a gross tonnage of 2,550 tons and a length of 320 feet.

West Eldara was built in Seattle, Washington in 1918 at the No. 2 Plant of the Skinner & Eddy Corporation.

The ship had a design deadweight tonnage of 8,800 tons and a gross register tonnage of 5,600.

West Eldara was a significant vessel, measuring 423 feet 9 inches in overall length, with a beam of 54 feet and a draft of 24 feet 2 inches.

The ship was powered by a Curtis geared turbine, driving a single screw propeller and delivering a speed of 11.5 knots.

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Ship design is a complex process that involves several factors, including the type of cargo the ship will carry, the size of the vessel, and the materials used in its construction.

A ship's hull is typically made of steel, which provides the necessary strength and durability for long-distance travel.

The shape of the hull is crucial for reducing drag and increasing speed, with a streamlined design allowing ships to cut through the water more efficiently.

Cargo ships often have a larger cargo capacity than passenger ships, with some vessels carrying over 10,000 tons of goods.

The size of a ship's cargo hold is determined by the type of cargo it will carry, with specialized containers and cranes used to load and unload heavy or oversized items.

The materials used in ship construction have changed over time, with modern ships often made of lighter, more corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum and fiberglass.

Ship design also considers the comfort and safety of passengers, with amenities like air conditioning, food service, and emergency life rafts becoming increasingly common on modern vessels.

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West Eldara was built in Seattle, Washington in 1918 at the No. 2 Plant of the Skinner & Eddy Corporation.

The ship was part of a series of 24 Design 1013 cargo ships built by Skinner & Eddy for the USSB's emergency wartime shipbuilding program.

West Eldara had a design deadweight tonnage of 8,800 tons and a gross register tonnage of 5,600.

The ship's impressive size was matched by its powerful engine, a Curtis geared turbine that delivered a speed of 11.5 knots.

With an overall length of 423 feet 9 inches, West Eldara was a significant vessel, capable of navigating the world's oceans.

Its beam was 54 feet, and its draft was 24 feet 2 inches, making it well-suited for cargo transport.