Laminated Ship Construction Practices

During the Korean War, improved magnetic mines in Korean waters caused the Navy to build wooden hulled mine sweepers on a crash basis. Oak and Douglas-fir lumber was specially selected for laminating and was kiln-dried to 8-15 percent moisture content for oak and 6-13 percent for fir. Long lengths were developed by scarf jointing. The long length boards were surfaced, spread with glue and pressed against jigs. Air hoses or clamps were used to develop constant, even clamping pressure of 150 pounds per square inch. The jigs were covered with blankets and the temperature raised to 195?F Thermocouples measured the temperature in the innermost glue line and heat was maintained for 6 hours after a glue-line temperature of 150?F was reached.

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