Construction of the Polar Star A Shipyard View

This paper summarizes the characteristics and layout of the new U. S. Polar Icebreaker and highlights some of the fabrication problems encountered by the shipyard during the construction. The author deals briefly with the types of steel used, the difficulties of welding due to the types and thicknesses of steel and the abnormal amounts of non-destructive testing used to prove the product free from defects in construction. The machinery selection is discussed including the controls, the versatility of component operation, and the layout. The unusual preparations for launching are discussed including some statistical data from the launch.