Friday, June 1, 2012

The Back End.

One of the many 'interesting' features of the Doulos is the stern.  For those who are unfamiliar with nautical terms, the stern is the opposite of the bow.  No offense, we're all learning.  We have read in my other posts that the hull design dates back to the 1900's.  Not much have changed since the days it was built, except that more decks have been added and that the original bridge structure, raised higher.  The hull structure, Bridge, the propeller shaft and other fittings were the originals from the days of the Medina - the rest were added progressively during her years as a cruise liner.

Sister ship of Titanic

The Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic.


In the picture above, most ships were built with the 'counter stern' design.  Other names for the counter stern include a "elliptical stern," in reference to its very long counter and "cutaway stern." The counter stern began use during the age of sail, but remained very popular for both merchant and warships well into the nautical age of steam and through the first eight decades of steamship construction (roughly 1840–1920), despite the fact that the design left the rudder exposed and vulnerable in combat situations, therefore the design gradually was replaced with the cruiser stern.



Counter stern of a ship

The 'Counter stern' of the SS Medina. - provided by www.ssmaritime.net



Old Stern design

The deck where the two lines run through the 'fairlead' is the hull of the Medina. 
- provided by www.ssmaritime.net



Notice the hull plating riveted together in a longitudinal pattern and the four 'round eye' plates on the curvature of the stern (near the rudder post) , the same pattern as in the picture of the RMS Olympic, the sister ship of the RMS Titanic.  I cannot imagine enough to say again and again about the existence of such a living historical 'champion of the seas'.  Through the years, she has picked up bits of technological upgrades of between 1914 to 1977 and some upgrades again after that - all on the same hull.

Counter stern SS Medina

Another view of the stern - www.doulos1914.blogspot.my


Those 'bollards' on the deck in the picture below probably dates back to the days of the Medina.  They look old and pretty worn and weathered!

Old Medina stern

1990. ME on the winch controls at Aft Mooring stations. - www.doulos1914.blogspot.my

Do not be left at the back end, but do come up forward to share any thoughts, or extra information if you have; in any case, anything that you've learnt so far.  Cheers!!




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