Term "BLOCKS ARE IN THE HOUSE"

[TravelerThom]

While modern ships are indeed built in many prefabricated blocks of cabins etc, the term “blocks are in the house” originally referred to the keel blocks, the necessary first step in traditional construction. 

In this dry dock photo the center line is the keel blocks while the blocks on each side support the hull. The blocks have to be adjusted by shims to conform to the shape of the hull. In traditional construction step 1 is properly conforming the keel blocks; step 2 is to lay down the keel. The hull was then built out from the keel, and the rest of the ship followed. 

[TravelerThom]

With the new CruiseCritic format, I can’t find an edit function; does it exist?

 

With modern construction a few of the construction modular blocks would indeed “be in the house” at the beginning of construction, but only a very small percentage. The rest of the modular blocks are delivered “just in time”. 

[not-enough-cruising]

10 hours ago, yogimax said:

Geesh, the issue has nothing to do with a good question from the OP, but with the exceeding long threads that often develop with titles...  "______ blocks are in the house."

 

What's your issue?

Perhaps you could have been a little more clear in your original reply to this thread; it came across as negative to more than one person.  I apologize for my incorrect interpretation?

[ReneeFLL]

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

A bit harder to tell with the post number no longer being obviously shown.

When did this change?

 

13 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Perhaps you could have been a little more clear in your original reply to this thread; it came across as negative to more than one person.  I apologize for my incorrect interpretation?

I understood it how he meant it.

[not-enough-cruising]

1 minute ago, ReneeFLL said:

I understood it how he meant it.

Wonderful!  A dozen or more did not

[ReneeFLL]

12 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Wonderful!  A dozen or more did not

Maybe because when I first read it my mind didn't automatically think he was trying to criticize the op.

[Biker19]

20 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

When did this change?

With web site update on Thursday morning.

[ReneeFLL]

13 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

With web site update on Thursday morning.

Thanks, hope it's not another one of their "improvements". 🙄

[Bloodgem]

2 hours ago, TravelerThom said:

With the new CruiseCritic format, I can’t find an edit function; does it exist?

The three dots on the right is the edit button.  You can also use the dots to report or share a post.

[John&LaLa]

12 hours ago, yogimax said:

Thank you Renee!  Yes, My comment was on the very long threads and not in regard to the OP.   

 

Didn't come across that way.  Seemed whiny

[John&LaLa]

13 hours ago, yogimax said:

Geesh, the issue has nothing to do with a good question from the OP, but with the exceeding long threads that often develop with titles...  "______ blocks are in the house."

 

What's your issue?

 

If that's the case, its even worse. In the House and future deployment threads are the meat and potatoes of this board. 

 

Why object to that. Must be a slow day up your way

[Hogbay]

20 hours ago, BND said:

Ships are built in "blocks" or sections which is where the term comes from.  The blocks are delivered to the ship yard to be welded together.  Interiors are also delivered in blocks as they are built elsewhere.  Sections of cabins, etc.

Yes ships are built in blocks but the term is from when they start construction ie put down the blocks to hold the steel up for the first weld and there is a ceremony too 

[John&LaLa]

5 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Yes ships are built in blocks but the term is from when they start construction ie put down the blocks to hold the steel up for the first weld and there is a ceremony too 

 

The CP150 name comes from it's block number

[Milwaukee Eight]

12 hours ago, TravelerThom said:

With the new CruiseCritic format, I can’t find an edit function; does it exist?

Yes. The 3 ... in upper right hand corner, the edit function is there. 
 

M8

[chengkp75]

22 hours ago, TravelerThom said:

While modern ships are indeed built in many prefabricated blocks of cabins etc, the term “blocks are in the house” originally referred to the keel blocks, the necessary first step in traditional construction. 

In this dry dock photo the center line is the keel blocks while the blocks on each side support the hull. The blocks have to be adjusted by shims to conform to the shape of the hull. In traditional construction step 1 is properly conforming the keel blocks; step 2 is to lay down the keel. The hull was then built out from the keel, and the rest of the ship followed. 

Well, in all my drydockings, and shipbuildings, I've never seen shims on the blocks.  The keel is a straight, flat line, and the "bilge blocks" are only in the flat bottom area (90% of the bottom), so all blocks are set at the height the yard feels necessary to do the job (Oasis had extra high blocks when the removed the engine out the bottom of the ship) and shot with a transit to ensure a true surface. The blocks are traditionally a hard wood like oak, and there will be "soft capping" of pine on each block to crush as the ship rests on it.