In this view of the USCGC Winnebago
undergoing overhaul in a Yokosuka drydock, the keel blocks and
bilge blocks are shown supporting the ship. Before the water is pumped
into the basin, these supporting blocks are
adjusted to the type of ship being worked on . When the ship is in place, the gates are closed again
and the water is pumped out of the drydock leaving the ship sitting on
the blocks. The bulbous bow can also be seen in this photograph.
Vladimir Ivanovich Yourkevitch was a Russian naval architect living in
France who developed the bulbous bow, which he included in his
masterpiece, the SS Normandie. The bulbous bow is a bulb-like feature
below the waterline at the ship's bow. The bulb modifies the water flow
around the ship's hull, which reduces drag and thus increases the
ship's speed and fuel range. Return to Gallery
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