In shipbuilding, what does the term "her keel was laid down on..." mean?

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In shipbuilding, what does the term "her keel was laid down on..." mean?

i understand what a keel is, but what is all this laying down business? do the construction workers sleep on the job?

2007-02-19 05:42:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering

3 answers

It refers simply to the date that construction of the ship began, from the traditional method of construction from the keel upwards.

2007-02-19 05:46:45 · answer #1 · answered by Sangmo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋

The keel is the first part of the boat to be built, so "laying down the keel" signifies the beginning of construction, much as "breaking ground" or "laying the cornerstone" does in building construction.

2007-02-19 13:47:53 · answer #2 · answered by Evan M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋

A keel is literally laid down on the floor whan a ship is built, then everything else gets attached to it.

2007-02-19 13:46:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋