Ship hydrodynamics

For millenia Man has built surface vessels and used them to transport himself and his goods over water. Some appreciation for hydrodynamic forces is required to produce a functional vessel, and throughout history Man has had to rely on experience and empirical knowledge to guide his design efforts. Until recently, power for these ships has come from a limited number of sources: Sails were used to harness the winds, and men were persuaded to handle oars. However, winds tend to be unreliable, and human propulsion systems suffer from severe speed and endurance limitations. With the advent of mechanization and the discovery of new energy sources, higher speeds became attainable. With these, the effects of hydrodynamic forces become more pronounced, making it necessary to understand the patterns of water flow caused by ships to improve their performance.