In 1974, China built the world's largest reinforced concrete ship, weighing 3024 tons, and scrapped it after one voyage

Tech 2023-09-18 10:10:00 Source: Network

Climbing to the pinnacle and achieving glory in the present world - The legendary journey of the GutianIn 2020, China's crude steel production ranked first in the world, accounting for an astonishing 56.5% of the world's total production, which is 12 times higher than Japan's production; Compared to the United States, it is as high as 14 times

Climbing to the pinnacle and achieving glory in the present world - The legendary journey of the Gutian

In 2020, China's crude steel production ranked first in the world, accounting for an astonishing 56.5% of the world's total production, which is 12 times higher than Japan's production; Compared to the United States, it is as high as 14 times. However, the ups and downs of history are immense. At the beginning of the founding of New China, the domestic steel output was only 156000 tons, accounting for only a negligible 0.1% of the global crude steel production.

Against this desolate backdrop, China was unable to forge its own ship. The once glorious shipbuilding power was ridiculed and bullied by Westerners, and even its former friend, the Soviet Union, withdrew and lost their helping hand.

However, the Chinese people are not willing to come from behind and keep up. With an attitude of not being outdone, they caught up and, with their wisdom and courage, built a ship with epoch-making significance - the famous "Gutian". This cement ship weighed 3024 tons, resembling a moving building and becoming the world's largest cement ship, instantly causing a sensation in the world.

At that time, steel was scarce, making cement ships was definitely an innovation, "recalled an elderly man who had participated in the construction of the Gutian, his tone filled with emotion. The emergence of this cement ship has indeed subverted people's imagination and made a scene that the outside world had never imagined come true.

However, the legendary journey of this ship came to an abrupt end after its first voyage, and it quietly anchored in the farmland of Fuzhou for more than 30 years until its end in 2012. What is the reason why this epoch-making cement ship has such a bumpy fate?

The first voyage on the Gutian became its "retirement battle". According to historical records, this giant ship is 105.2 meters long, 14.5 meters wide, 8.1 meters deep, and has a draft of 5.7 meters. When it was launched, its displacement reached an astonishing 5773 tons, and its various indicators are undisputed, ranking first in the world. However, although the scale of this giant ship is astonishing, it is precisely its weight that has laid a hidden danger to its fate.

At that time, China chose to use cement to build ships, not only because of a shortage of steel, but also because cement, as a long-standing shipbuilding material, had its unique advantages. However, the self weight of such ships has become a huge burden. Taking the Gutian ship as an example, its self weight exceeds 3000 tons and its cargo capacity is 2700 tons, with the sum of the two exceeding 5000 tons.

Although such a behemoth can float on water, demonstrating China's shipbuilding technology, it also means it needs to consume more power when driving. The cost saved during the construction process is quickly offset by high energy consumption in actual operation. At the stage of vigorous national construction, if cement ships are popularized on a large scale, it will inevitably cause a serious burden on the country's energy, which is clearly not a cost-effective choice.

In addition, the brittleness of cement itself has also become a problem. The reason why steel is the preferred material for ships is because it has a moderate weight and a certain degree of ductility, and is not easily damaged even in special situations such as collisions. Cement, on the other hand, is prone to cracking and its safety is greatly compromised.

Finally, the seaworthiness of cement ships has also become a limiting factor. The huge self weight makes it extremely difficult for the cement ship to turn. When encountering adverse weather at sea, cement ships require more time and power to complete route adjustments, and may even be trapped in place due to factors such as tides.

Taking into account various factors, the country ultimately made the decision to stop the production of cement ships. Even the renowned Gutian had to berth at the port of Zhongzhou Village in Fuzhou. Gradually, the construction of Jiangbin Avenue began here, while Gutian was gradually forgotten by the Minjiang River. As time passed, this once proud "giant beast" gradually became abandoned, and the magnificent scene of soil and iron bones interwoven became a witness of time.

Years later, people finally welcomed the arrival of this giant ship in the autumn of 2012

Don't hesitate. Decades of lonely years, the Gutian has become rusty and rusty, and its former glory has become a thing of the past. The former port has now turned into farmland and vegetable fields, like a sea of changes, everything is changed. Urban residents have become accustomed to cycling through it, as if this massive object has always been a part of it.

However, there are divergent opinions on the fate of the Gutian. Some people believe that this huge ship hinders urban construction and should be destroyed; Some people advocate transforming it into a memorial hall to remember the time of history; Others suggest transforming it into a specialty themed restaurant, full of creativity.

However, although these proposals are full of creativity, they also face enormous difficulties and risks. In addition, this land has been privately purchased and plans to build high-rise buildings, so the country has finally decided to dismantle the former "world's tallest" ship on site.

So in November 2012, a group of workers arrived on the Gutian ship, dismantled the ship's planks, preserved some valuable components, and transported them to Fujian Transportation Vocational and Technical College for students to use as practical teaching materials. With the dismantling of the components on board, the hull of the Gutian was finally lifted away, marking its end. Although this giant ship no longer exists, it has left a profound mark in the memory of a generation. It carries not only goods, but also memories of an era.

The story of the Gutian is a legendary journey and a model of the Chinese people's courage to innovate and forge ahead. Despite the economic cost of this journey, the heart that courageously marched forward stirred in the hearts of the Chinese people. It tells us that even in difficult times, we must dare to take steps and pursue our dreams.

Perhaps the fate of the Gutian is not perfect, but the spirit it embodies is eternal. Now, from a historical perspective, we can see that China has become a major manufacturing country in the world, with ships built early

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])

Mobile advertising space rental

Tag: In 1974 China built the world largest reinforced concrete