One of the major technological advances in shipbuilding during the twentieth century has been the development of welding, which gradually replaced riveting as the main form of construction.

Pioneered in the UK during the 1930s, welding was developed during the Second World War. It was shown to be successful through the large-scale production of the American Liberty ships, despite some early failures.

Welding brought about many advantages. For example, it produced lighter ships because less steel was needed, and this in turn reduced both building and running costs. It also provided the potential for prefabrication methods whereby large sections of the ship could be built up in sheds undercover, to be assembled on the building berth at a later point. By comparison, every part of a riveted ship had to be built up piece by piece at the launching site out in the open.

Early Suspicions

Liberty Ships

Transition

Welded Joints - A Learning Process

Early Mistakes