Why Aren't Smaller USN Ships Built Directly in Dry Dock?

For many years, both large and small vessels in the US Navy (USN) were constructed in a select few massive naval shipyards across the United States. These shipyards, such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Philadelphia Navy Yard, once boasted an extensive array of shipbuilding capabilities. However, since the Vietnam War and the subsequent economic shifts in the 1970s and 1980s, the landscape of USN shipbuilding has changed dramatically. Today, the majority of the supercarriers are built at just one location: Newport News Shipbuilding.

Significant to this transformation is the loss of skilled labor and the obsolescence of shipbuilding infrastructure. These factors have greatly contributed to the concentration of USN shipbuilding activities in a few strategic locations, such as Newport News, Virginia; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Bath, Maine; and Marinette, Wisconsin. The economics of modern naval shipbuilding, which demand a concentration of skilled workers and efficient use of resources, have led to this consolidated approach.

Strategic Shipyards and Dry Docks

But what about smaller ships? Why are they not built directly in dry docks? The answer lies in the nature of ship construction and naval strategy. Dry docks are essential for maintenance and repair of naval vessels, but they are not ideal for initial construction.

One key reason is the cost and efficiency of transferring a ship into or out of the water. Dry dock facilities can be costly to construct and maintain, especially in urban areas where space is limited. Additionally, large dry docks are necessary to accommodate the massive hulls of supercarriers and other large vessels. Smaller ships can often be built in floating dry docks or slipways, which offer significant cost and time advantages.

Experience and Expertise

The US Navy's shipbuilding activities have also been affected by the decline in skilled labor. The loss of experienced workers and the relocation of specialized equipment and facilities have further constrained the ability to build smaller ships directly in dry docks.

Furthermore, the infrastructure at many older shipyards, such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard, has become outdated and expensive to maintain. Refitting these facilities to modern standards would be both costly and time-consuming, making them less viable for small-scale shipbuilding.

Real-Life Examples

A recent example of this can be seen in the Boston Dry Dock. Despite the significant investment in a power generating plant to reduce electricity costs, it is often more economical to simply slide a ship into the ocean rather than pump millions of gallons of water out of a dry dock.

The Boston example illustrates the practical challenges and economic realities of using dry docks for initial ship construction. Dry docks are most effective for the maintenance and repair of existing ships, where they provide controlled and protected environments for critical operations.

Conclusion

The current state of USN shipbuilding highlights the complex interplay between economics, infrastructure, and skilled labor. While dry docks are crucial for various stages of naval vessel maintenance and repair, they are not typically suitable for the initial construction of smaller ships. The consolidation of shipbuilding activities in a few strategic locations ensures streamlined operations and the effective use of resources, albeit at the cost of geographic diversity.

Understanding these factors is essential for anyone interested in the future of USN shipbuilding, as it provides insight into both the current state and potential future directions of this critical industry.

Related Keywords

US Navy Shipbuilding Dry Dock Construction Naval Shipyards Shipbuilding Economics