On the Building of Whaling Tanker “Nisshin Maru.”

Abstract

The antarctic whaling tanker, “Nisshin Maru” (22, 000 tons deadweight) was successfully built on 28 th Sept. '36 by the Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd., Kobe, in the record of only 216 days from laying down of the keel to the delivery to Messrs. Taiyohogei Kabushiki Kaisha.The vessel is the largest tanker of its kind ever built in Japan, and the following dates indicate the extraordinary speedy program at which she was built in such a short period.The contract signed 28 th, November, 1935.The keel laid 26 th, February, 1936.The launching 1 st, August, 1936.The official trials 14 th, September, 1936.The Delivery 28 th, September, 1936.There were many difficulties which they had to overcome, such as : difficult construction on an ordinary building slip not well arranged with up-to-date crane equipments, unusual short time limit of construction, and hardship of prompt collection of materials, etc.They laid down therefore a strict schedule so as not to delay the delivery and by good luck, it was faithfully obeyed by the men of all departments of the Dockyard Co.Combined with the mutual co-operation of all men and proper supply of all necessary materials, the schedule was very satisfactorily carried out in good order.On the other hand, special attention wa so pa to the working hours as well as labour shifts so that the workmen should not be overworked either mentally or physically.Thus their earnest efforts have at last produced good results with such an epoch-making record of speedy ship building which has never been experienced in the world.In addition, this vessel adopted the “Isherwood Bracketless system, ” the simplicity of which has proved a good effect upon such a quick work as “Nisshin Maru.” The principal dimensions are as follows : Length over all…550'-0''Length between perpendiculars…535'-0''Breadth moulded…74'-0''Depth moulded to upper deck…48'-9''Load draught…34'-25/16''Gross tonnage…16, 764 tonsDeadweight…22, 000 tonsMaximum speed…14'5 knots