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'''Shipbuilding''' is the construction of [[ship]]s. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a [[shipyard]]. '''Shipbuilders''', originally called '''shipwrights''', follow a specialized occupation that can trace its roots to before recorded history. The construction of [[boat]]s is a similar activity called [[boat building]].  The dismantling of ships is called [[ship breaking]].

== History ==

Evidence from [[ancient Egypt]] shows that the early Egyptians already knew how assemble planks of wood into a watertight [[hull (ship)|hull]], using [[treenail]]s to fasten them together, and [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]] for [[caulking]] the [[seam]]s. The ships of the [[Eighteenth Dynasty]] were typically about 25 meters (80 ft) in length, and had a single [[mast]], sometimes consisting of two pole lashed together at the top making an "A" shape.  They mounted a single square [[sail]] on a [[yard]], with an additional [[spar]] along the bottom of the sail. These ships could also be [[oar]] propelled.

The ships of [[Phoenicia]] seems to have been of a similar design. The [[ancient Greece|Greek]]s and probably others introduced the use of multiple banks of oars for additional speed, and the ships were of a light construction, for speed and so they could be carried ashore.

Viking [[longship]]s developed from an alternate tradition of [[clinker (boat building)|clinker]]-built hulls fastened with [[leather]] thongs. Sometime around the [[12th century]], northern European ships began to be built with a straight [[sternpost]], enabling the mounting of a [[rudder]], which was much more durable than a [[steering oar]] held over the side. Development in the [[Middle Ages]] favored "[[round ship]]s", with a broad beam and heavily curved at both ends.

The introduction of [[cannon]]s onto ships encouraged the development of [[tumblehome]], the inward slant of the abovewater hull, for additional stability, as well as techniques for strengthening the internal frame.
These kinds of considerations, as well as the demand for ships capable of operating safely in the open ocean, led to the documentation of design and construction practice in what had previously been a secretive trade, and ultimately the field of [[naval architecture]]. Even so, construction techniques changed only very gradually; the ships of the [[Spanish Armada]] were internally very similarly to those of the [[Napoleonic Wars]] over two centuries later.

[[Iron]] was gradually adopted in ship construction, initially in small areas needing greater strength, then throughout, although initially copying wooden construction. [[Isambard Brunel]]'s [[SS Great Britain|''Great Britain'']] of [[1843]] was the first radical new design; built entirely of iron, using [[stringer]]s for strength, inner and outer hulls, and [[bulkhead]]s to form multiple watertight compartments. Despite her success, many yards only went so far to use [[composite construction]], with wooden timbers laid over an iron frame (the ''[[Cutty Sark]]'' is so constructed). [[Steel]] supplanted iron when it became readily available in the latter half of the [[19th century]].
Wood continued to be favored for the decks, and is still the rule for modern [[cruise ship]]s.

===Shipwrights in England===

During the 16th century Shipwrights in England were so few in number as to be granted direct employment by the Crown. The first list of &#8216;Master Shipwrights&#8217; appointed &#8216;by Patent&#8217; was issued by [[Henry VIII]]th and included &#8216;John Smyth, [[Robert Holborn]], Richard Bull and James Baker&#8217; (father of [[Mathew Baker]]). Peter Pett the son of John was summoned from his place of residence, then at [[Harwich]] to work on the King&#8217;s Ships at [[Portsmouth]], and in 1543 was granted a wage and fee for life (vadium et feodum). The authority for the letters patent not being by the usual Writ of Privy Seal, but &#8216;Per Ipsum Regent&#8217;, i.e, by &#8216;direct motion of the King&#8217;, [[Henry VIII]]'th. 

On the 23rd April 1548 Robert Holborn, Smyth and Bull received similar Patents, the very fact of which should be considered of some significance, and it was added as Shipwrights they should instruct others, by reason of their long and good service.

== Modern shipbuilding ==

Design work may be conducted using a [[Ship model basin]].

Modern shipbuilding makes considerable use of prefabricated sections; entire multi-deck segments of the hull or superstructure will be built elsewhere in the yard, then lifted into place.

[[NAICS]]: [[NAICS_Code1:=33661]]