United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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leti Keep the lead The U. S. is striving to maintain her lead in the field of waterborne transportation with new develop- ments such as the open-ocean hy- drofoil craft. The theory of the hydrofoil is not new, nor is its appli- cation to large craft; but the use of hydrofoil for sea going vessels of considerable size, which will operate in the 60 to 80 knot speed range, is a definite break through. Construc- tion has already begun on this open-sea hydrofoil craft and it will be launched within a year. The development of this hydrofoil craft and the projected submarine tankers and cargo vessels, coupled with out increased use of nuclear power for merchant vessels, promises to keep the American Merchant Marine in the forefront of the marine transportation industry in the near future and for many years to come. 10

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t The heart of the SAVANNAH is her pressurized water reactor. All of the vital components of the reactor are encased in the huge containment vessel. The containment vessel is designed to withstand the maximum pressure which would be developed if there were ever a rupture in the pressurized water loops of the primary system (the maximum credible accident). The vessel also supports the more then 500 tons of lead and polyethylene shielding which are designated as the secondary reactor shielding. The active core of the reactor contains 32 fuel elements whose reactivity is controlled by 21 cruciform control rods of boron and stainless steel. This reactor will provide an operating lifetime of three years. The reactor is cooled by the primary, water which is circulated through the fuel rods by four large pumps. The primary water then passes to the boilers and gives up its heat, thus generating steam on the secondary side. 9

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