Incredible Modern Technology
Discussion
Pioneering wind-powered cargo ship sets sail on maiden voyage:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66543643
What will they think of next?
Disclaimer - this is meant in jest.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-66543643
What will they think of next?
Disclaimer - this is meant in jest.
46and2 said:
Wind powered sails indeed? 
Its good that shipping companies are having a go at reducing emmissions.
The article talked about old trade routes, I assume that was to do with prevailing winds? I wonder will these vessels have to take different routes to the normal ones used today?
Yep. Prevailing winds (aka Trade winds) are the key. The routes might have to change to take into account the doldrums but delivery is likely to be a bit slower in any case. The Cutty Sark had a flat out recorded speed of 17.5kts. Most container ships run between 16kts and 25kts.Its good that shipping companies are having a go at reducing emmissions.
The article talked about old trade routes, I assume that was to do with prevailing winds? I wonder will these vessels have to take different routes to the normal ones used today?
Snoggledog said:
Yep. Prevailing winds (aka Trade winds) are the key. The routes might have to change to take into account the doldrums but delivery is likely to be a bit slower in any case. The Cutty Sark had a flat out recorded speed of 17.5kts. Most container ships run between 16kts and 25kts.
Thanks for the reply.Super Sonic said:
Simpo Two said:
Might be simpler trying to make what we need ourselves rather than shipping it from somewhere else. We used to be able to.
Agree.Even if it's being manufacturer here - likelihood is that actually increases shipping requirements as you're moving raw materials which tend to have a level of wastage during manufacturing processes.
Super Sonic said:
Simpo Two said:
Might be simpler trying to make what we need ourselves rather than shipping it from somewhere else. We used to be able to.
Agree.Anyone who thinks it would be simpler to make what we need ourselves has no idea of the investment and effort that would be involved. It's the kind of lazy, jingoistic thinking put forward by the DM and DE.
No country can be self sufficient, particularly the UK.
Cryssys said:
Anyone who thinks it would be simpler to make what we need ourselves has no idea of the investment and effort that would be involved. It's the kind of lazy, jingoistic thinking put forward by the DM and DE.
I agree it's not 100% possible but we can be lazy - we'll get the real work done by people in other countries and immigrants, while we swan about doing PhDs in creative writing and reading The Guardian.Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 27th August 15:38
Simpo Two said:
I agree it's not 100% possible but we can be lazy - we'll get the real work done by people in other countries and immigrants, while we swan about doing PhDs in creative writing and reading The Guardian.
Agreed, why can't more hard working people go to Eton follow it with PPE at Oxford and then become politicians. Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 27th August 15:38
That'll soon get the country back on it's feet.
Simpo Two said:
Cryssys said:
Anyone who thinks it would be simpler to make what we need ourselves has no idea of the investment and effort that would be involved. It's the kind of lazy, jingoistic thinking put forward by the DM and DE.
I agree it's not 100% possible but we can be lazy - we'll get the real work done by people in other countries and immigrants, while we swan about doing PhDs in creative writing and reading The Guardian.Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 27th August 15:38
The key, is it tends towards the low volume, high value stuff that the rest of the world really desires - so it's not in your face.
What we don't do - quite rightly - is take in raw materials and manufacture the complete vertical through to finished goods. That's frankly wasteful, and very low value.
Simpo Two said:
There are too many politicians. What the country needs is productivity. It's not a class issue.
My comment was tongue in cheek and in response to an earlier poster saying something about Guardian readers and PhD's in creative writing.Productivity is indeed an issue. Too many people just cruising and doing as little as they can get away with.
MV Ashington was fitted with a British-built Walker Wingsail back in 1979. The wingsail was computer controlled, thus minimising human input when optimising it for the wind conditions and route.
Unfortunately the fuel savings were the only concern at the time, and as super tankers ran on the crude oil they carried, there was little saving and there was no further commercial take up.
MV Ashington
Unfortunately the fuel savings were the only concern at the time, and as super tankers ran on the crude oil they carried, there was little saving and there was no further commercial take up.
MV Ashington
Simpo Two said:
Might be simpler trying to make what we need ourselves rather than shipping it from somewhere else. We used to be able to.
You wouldn’t buy it though, you would decide it was overpriced and buy the overseas manufactured item anyway. A collective you even if not you yourself.
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