Floating Stones

Of all the freak engineering feats with which the U.S. tried to bridge the Atlantic in World War I, none was more freakish than the concrete ship. Of these “floating stones” the U.S. built 43. Last week the Maritime Commission, leaving no floating stone unturned, ordered 15 concrete barges costing $9,000,000.

All concrete ships built in World War I had the reputation of cracking easily, even when they struck a pier. Nevertheless, many survived the Armistice. The McKittrick hauled oil until 1932, then became a nightclub boat off California until broken to bits in a storm. The Faith carried New Orleans-South American cargo for a while, is now a fish-reduction plant. The Rucker purred between Fort Myer, Va. and Fort Washington, Md. until fire got her superstructure in 1937.

The Maritime Commission’s new floating stones are 350-by-54-foot barges, intended for coastwise towing. But like their seagoing ancestors, they will save steel. Each barge requires only one-sixth as much steel as a similar-sized steel ship. Furthermore, concrete barges 1) cost about 50% less than steel vessels, 2) take 60-70% less time to build, 3) are fireproof, rat-proof, rot-proof. Biggest disadvantage is that they weigh more than steel ships, carry less cargo.

But this week the Maritime Commission was not fretting. The barges are designed mainly to carry Texas oil to the Atlantic Seaboard. If they help prevent an East Coast oil shortage next year they will have done their part.