Bow (ship)
The bow /ˈbaʊ/ is the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat, the point that is most forward when the vessel is underway. Both of the adjectives fore and forward mean towards the bow. The other end of the boat is the stern. the length of the bow can be determined using the simple equation. (L*D)+(W/G))/(A^2) Length times Diameter plus Weight over Girth divided by Angle of the tip squared.
Function
The bow is designed to reduce the resistance of the hull cutting through water and should be tall enough to prevent water from easily washing over the top of it. On slower ships like tankers, a fuller bow shape is used to maximise the volume of the ship for a given length.
A "wet bow" results from seawater washing over the top of the hull. A raked stem can help to reduce the wetness of the bow. Aside from making the deck slippery, water can corrode the metal of the ship. If the temperature is low enough this water can also freeze on the deck, rails, turrets, and other exposed surfaces, increasing the topside weight.
Parts
The forward part of the bow, usually on the ship's centreline, is called the stem. Traditionally, the stem was an upright timber or metal bar into which side planks or plates were joined.
Types
Several types of bows exist. These include:[1]
- Tumblehome
- Raised foredeck
- Reverse sheer
- Conventional clipper
- Low-cain spoon bow
- High-cain spoon bow
- X-Bow (Developed by the Ulstein Group)
- Ram bow
- Bulbous bow
See also
- Boat building
- Bow (rowing)
- Deck
- Figurehead
- Naval architecture
- Port
- Prow
- Shipbuilding
- Starboard
- Stem (ship)
- Superstructure
References
Further reading
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bows (ship part). |
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Look up bow in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Sleight, Steve; The New Complete Sailing Manual, Dorling Kindersley Co., (2005) ISBN 0-7566-0944-5
- Steward, Robert; Boatbuilding Manual, 3rd ed. International Marine Publishing Company. Camden, Maine (1987), p2-3. ISBN 0-87742-236-2