Shipbuilding, Theoretical and Practical

Author William John Macquorn Rankine FRS (1820-1872)

Author James Robert Napier FRS (1821 - 1879)

Author Frederick K Barnes

Author Isaac Watts (died 1876)

Publisher William Mackenzie

Date1866

Object number00005997

NameBook

MediumInk on paper, leather bound boards

DimensionsOverall: 61 x 443 x 344 mm, 5.7 kg

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis book, titled 'Shipbuilding, Theoretical and Practical. Illustrated by a series of engravings, from drawings furnished by some of the most eminent British shipbuilders', was written by William John Macquorn Rankine, James Robert Napier, Isaac Watts and Frederick K Barnes and published in 1866. The 300-page text contains 43 leaves of detailed folding plates depicting cross-section views of British vessels such as the paddlesteamer QUEEN OF THE ORWELL and the first armour-plated, ironclad warship built for the Royal Navy, HMS WARRIOR.HistoryWilliam John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872) was a Scottish engineer, mathematician and physicist. Rankine was famous for developing a theory of the steam engine. His writings formed the foundations of engineering science for many years after he published them in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1855, Rankine was appointed to the Queen Victoria chair of civil engineering and mechanics at the University of Glasgow. Aside from engineering, Rankine developed an interest in naval architecture. With his shipbuilder friend, James Robert Napier, along with naval architect Isaac Watts and Frederick K Barnes, Rankine wrote 'Shipbuilding, Theoretical and Practical' and published it in 1866. As the main contributor to the treatise, Rankine's intention was to provide a more technical theoretical approach to the shipbuilding process. Rankine's research and published works lead to improved designs in ship hulls and increased efficiency of propellers. On 24 December 1872, Rankine died in Glasgow. His manuals and publications remained a steady influence over the development of naval architecture and design, civil engineering and thermodynamics.