In 1974, our country built the world's largest cement ship , with a hull of 100 meters long. But why was it scrapped after just one voyage?
In the 1960s and 1970s, due to the long-term blockade by Western countries, the development of all walks of life in our country was very slow. Especially in the field of industrial manufacturing, due to lack of equipment and low steel production capacity, it is often difficult for a skilled woman to make a meal without rice.
Although China was very poor at that time, people at that time had firm beliefs and high enthusiasm. Since we lack equipment and raw materials, we create everything with our own hands.
Because all walks of life were lacking steel at the time, they had to find related substitutes. In this case, solid and durable cement became a new shipbuilding material.
Using cement to build ships was also a helpless move, because the steel production at that time was too low, and there was not enough equipment to build cars, let alone shipbuilding?
However, our country's water network is well developed, especially in the southern region, which is covered with river networks. At that time, when the road network was not developed, both transportation and transportation were inseparable from boats.
People at that time generally believed in a principle, that is, man can defeat nature, and it is enough if he does not build a cement ship. If he does, he must build the biggest and best one.
Although using cement to build ships seems a bit fanciful, people just do what they say, and the Shanghai 708 Ship Research Institute quickly produced the design drawings.
After the project was reported, the superiors also organized experts to conduct demonstrations. The experts also felt that they could give it a try. In the end, the task was handed over to Mawei Shipyard .
In 1974, after more than a thousand days and nights of hard work, workers at Mawei Shipyard finally built the "Gutian" - an unprecedented "super ship."
"Gutian" is 105.2 meters long, 14.5 meters wide, with a displacement of 5,773 tons and a load capacity of 3,024 tons. Looking at it today, the "Gutian"'s data in all aspects are very average, but at the time it was a well-deserved "super ship."
Because before this, there had never been such a huge cement ship in the world.
After the "Gutian" was completed, it set sail from Mawei Port in Fuzhou to Shanghai, and the ship was fully loaded with construction materials. After arriving in Shanghai, a boat full of wheat was shipped back. The whole trial process was relatively smooth.
However, what is unexpected is that the "Gutian" was scrapped after only one trial voyage and has never sailed again since then. Why is this?
It turns out that although the sea trial of the "Gutian" was relatively smooth, it also exposed some problems, that is, it was not resistant to collisions, the hull was too heavy, and other defects, making it difficult to promote.
Therefore, after careful consideration, for safety reasons, although the "Gutian" was just completed, it was scrapped and subsequent construction plans were stopped.
Seeing this, some friends may feel particularly strange. Since cement ships are not easy to promote, why did we often see cement ships when we were children?
In fact, this is indeed the case. In the 1980s and 1990s, cement ships were the most common on inland rivers. Even in the past few years, cement ships could still be seen.
So, why is this?
It turns out that although the "Gutian" made people aware of the shortcomings of cement ships such as being too bulky and not resistant to collisions, it also made people discover the advantages of cement ships, which are easy maintenance, strong watertightness, and stable hulls.
Although we can no longer build cement ships as long as 100 meters like the "Gutian", it does not mean that we cannot build smaller cement ships. As long as the tonnage of the cement ships is built smaller, won't these problems be solved?
Moreover, sailing on ordinary river networks does not require a particularly large hull. Smaller cement boats are still strong and durable.
Therefore, in the 1980s and 1990s, a large number of such small cement boats were built across the country. As long as there are rivers, such boats can almost be seen traveling on the river.
So, what fate will the abandoned "Gutian" face?
After the "Gutian" was abandoned, it was not completely abandoned. Instead, it became a teaching tool for the Shipping College, playing a new role in the field of education and teaching. It was not demolished until 2012.
It is a pity that the "Gutian" was scrapped after only one voyage, and the construction of the "Gutian" was also a helpless move. The reason was that my country's steel production was too low at that time, and the country's development urgently needed a large number of ships.
Today, China's shipbuilding industry is unparalleled in the world. Whether it is aircraft carrier or super tanker , it can be built independently, and there is no need to use cement ships anymore. They have completed their historical mission and have withdrawn from the stage of history forever.
