ship, Large floating vessel capable of crossing open waters. The term formerly was applied to sailing vessels with three or more masts; today it usually denotes a vessel of more than 500 tons’ (450 metric tons’) displacement. The largest ships today are enormous oil tankers, some of which are 500,000 tons (450,000 metric tons) deadweight. Other specialized ships (containerships) carry general freight in standardized containers that can be easily loaded, unloaded, and transferred. See also battleship; brig; clipper ship; corvette; dhow; frigate; junk; longship; ocean liner; schooner; yacht.
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cruiser Summary
Cruiser, large surface warship built for high speed and great cruising radius, capable of not only defending its own fleet and coastlines but also threatening those of the enemy. The word cruiser was applied originally to frigates of the sailing era, which, being smaller and faster than ships of
Rolls-Royce PLC Summary
Rolls-Royce PLC, major British manufacturer of aircraft engines, marine propulsion systems, and power-generation systems. Noted for much of the 20th century as a maker of luxury automobiles, the company was separated from its car-making operations and nationalized following bankruptcy in 1971. It
submarine Summary
Submarine, any naval vessel that is capable of propelling itself beneath the water as well as on the water’s surface. This is a unique capability among warships, and submarines are quite different in design and appearance from surface ships. Submarines first became a major factor in naval warfare
Lusitania Summary
Lusitania, British ocean liner, the sinking of which by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, contributed indirectly to the entry of the United States into World War I. The Lusitania, which was owned by the Cunard Line, was built to compete for the highly lucrative transatlantic passenger trade.