What Is This At The Bottom Of The Boat?

Question

I just found this picture of the construction of the USS New York: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/USS_New_York%3B10092102.jpg and I was wondering what that massive rust-orange protrusion is - at first I though it was just there for support during construction, but it looks more like it's an actual part that just hasn't been painted yet. What is it?

Answer 1

Probably has sonar in it, but it's also there for speed and stability.

Answer 2

It's the sonar array for the ship...sonar arrays are usually placed below or in front of the hull to operate in "clean" water to reduce excessive noise signals from turbulence around the hull. Large ships have them in front to make it easier to navigate shallow ports or locks and for drydocking.

Answer 3

sandmast has it, it disturbers the water before it reaches the hull allowing the ship to move faster and use less fuel.

Answer 4

Its called a "bulbous bow".It allows a vessel to displace water in such a way to reduce "cavitation" along the ships hull,thus running several knots faster and quieter.Most designs also increase the amount of "solid " water to enter the ships "s***w"(prop.)to increase efficiency as well.This bow usually contains the ships fresh water supply.At least on large commercial fishing boats.

Answer 5

That's her Bow Bulb. Even civilian tawler type yachts have them. Sure, it's a good place for reserve tankage...sure it's a good place for a forward or side scanning sonar array, so that may be the case.

However, it is NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE DESIGN FEATURE.

Nor is for navigating channels or reduced cavitation...jeesh.

Do you see how the bow is raked inwards to the bottom?

Do you see how the waterline length will be shorter than the deck or overall length?

All displacement vessels derive their maximum speed from their waterline length. It is helpfull to have some bow rake and flare to deflect oncomming waves and sea-state...the forward protrusion is there to elongate the "Effective waterline" length just below the surface....

Usually they are usually more squashed vertically for better fluid dynamics...in this case rounder...probably...as mentioned, for sonar array....actually, Doplar Sonar.

So...externally, it's there for speed potential...internally, it is utilized as the Navy sees fit....possibly sonar and/or tankage.