Froude's experimental tanks and hull-form research are credited with giving British designers an early advantage. A hull designed to work efficiently above the ship's published speed leaves room to benefit from additional power. That capability can remain unused until circumstances demand more than normal service performance. Reports of such occasions may remain classified or meet disbelief because they exceed the familiar specification. The underwater shape therefore matters when assessing claims that a ship performed beyond its nominal rating.
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Froude's hull research helped ships exceed their rated speed
Experimental tanks and efficient underwater forms could give a ship useful performance beyond the speed listed in its specifications.