Why Would You Build Concrete Ships? Poem by Terence George Craddock

in the 1860s ferrocement barges were built
in Europe for use on canals around 1896
small ships were built out of ferrocement

by 1908 to 1914 larger ferrocement barges
were built in 1917 the first self-propelled
ferrocement ship intended for ocean travel

was launched both World War 1 and 2 saw
increased construction in ferrocement due
to shortages of steel in military construction

why did concrete ship building fade between
the war years the reason was new shipbuilding
methods other techniques were cost cheaper

less labor-intensive the killer other kinds
of ships were competitive cheaper to operate
concrete ships entered the realm of forgotten

history rare built now as use pleasure craft