From:	Marc Renouf renouf@********.com
Subject:	Submarines (was RE: Shipping (was Re: the value of education))
Date:	Fri, 16 Jul 1999 13:34:51 -0400 (EDT)

On Fri, 16 Jul 1999, Paul J. Adam wrote:

> Warships have to operate over a much greater range of speeds and so do
> not use bulbous bows.

Only partly true. In many cases, there's a bulbous bow and
its conveniently isolated internal space houses a bitchload of sonar
equipment. Look at the hull plan of the DDG-51's and you'll see what I
mean. Carriers and battleships have them too, but then again, a carrier is
optimised for the speed necessary to conduct flight operations, so it's
more reasonable to use a bulbous bow.
But yes, for most frigates, pickets, cutters, and coastal vessels,
the sharp prow is the preferred hull form.

Marc