How could Long Beach remain stable despite its tall, block-like superstructure?
Short answerHeavy machinery and ballast low in the hull counterbalance the superstructure; similar-looking designs need not share a direct prototype relationship.
NotesThe resemblance between Long Beach's superstructure and Enterprise's island reflects related design teams using similar solutions, rather than one ship serving as a prototype for the other. Stability comes from placing dense machinery low in the hull, where its weight offsets the much lighter upper structure. Designers can also add fixed lead or steel ballast and adjust water ballast where needed. A ship's visible upper works are only one part of its stability calculation.