Good question, Piper. If you watch Miguel's video link, sometimes they are. I guess it depends on whether the body of water they're being launched into is big enough to hold the ship in that orientation. All the ships in Gerard's video are being launched into narrow canals or bays.
@Piper, what Anonymous said, but also bear in mind that this method allows them to build the ship on a horizontal platform. Launching bow or stern first would require that the ship be built on a slope. Then there's the depth of the water to consider, launching bow or stern first would require deeper water.
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I have a preference for this other video.
http://youtu.be/VwymH4oZm1o
Why aren't ships launched perpendicular to the water? It seem to me it would be much smoother that way.
Good question, Piper. If you watch Miguel's video link, sometimes they are. I guess it depends on whether the body of water they're being launched into is big enough to hold the ship in that orientation. All the ships in Gerard's video are being launched into narrow canals or bays.
@Piper, what Anonymous said, but also bear in mind that this method allows them to build the ship on a horizontal platform. Launching bow or stern first would require that the ship be built on a slope. Then there's the depth of the water to consider, launching bow or stern first would require deeper water.
Many ships are now build in a dry-dock which is then flooded and they are not launched at all
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