Concrete ships

The SS Selma, a World War I reinforced concrete tanker scuttled decades ago off the coast of Galveston, Texas, and barely visible above the water line.

Given our current pothole problems, I wonder who today would think that a concrete ship was a good idea? ; )

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18671311
Given our current pothole problems, I wonder who today would think that a concrete ship was a good idea? ; )

I can't speak for the need in WWI, but these were used in WWII because of an extreme shortage of steel. Virtually all steel was being used for tank construction, Liberty ship construction, etc. Barges were also made of concrete and many were used at the D-Day invasion at Normandy.

The first 24 ships were built in Philadelphia. In 1948 they were moved to Virginia. See https://www.atlasobscu​ra.com …iptopeke-s-concrete-fleet for some details, including pictures.

Thanks for the link!

There's a "pier" in Aptos, CA that has a concrete ship as it's seaward half. It was a WWI ship also. It was brought there in 1930 and sunk in shallow water and then the pier built out to join up with it. It was then used as an "amusement" pier and originally had a pool, dance floor, and cafe. I don't have any pictures of it but from what I understand it's deteriorated so far that it looks kind of like the ship in atexasphotog's post and they fenced off the end of the actual pier so no one is allowed on the old ship anymore.

For a while in the 1970's, building your own live-aboard sail or powerboat with Ferro-Cement was quite the thing among home boat builders.