Form Follows Function

 The adage "Form Follows Function" is attributed to the Chicago architect Louis Sullivan, pioneering skyscraper designer and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright. It became the motto for many twentieth century designers - and not just terrestrial architects, but also industrial designers and naval architects. It went hand with the other beloved old saw that architecture must exhibit "firmness, commodity and delight".

Of course like all good ideas both  sayings have been corrupted in many ways and came to be ridiculed by post-modernists. Present day design seems to fall short of Sullivan's meaning by emphasizing functionality without particular concern for visual appeal unless it is needed for mass marketing, and then it can be "added on" in the form of  useless appendages.

Today (October 14) two arrivals in Halifax point at that dichotomy. The early morning arrival was the familiar cruise ship Star Pride (the former Seabourn Pride). It was built back in 1988 when good looks were a pre-requisite for cruise ship design. Mass market cruise ships are another matter where the "block of flats" look now seems necessary to sardine as many "guests" as possible into one ship. with water slides and giant TV screens cluttering up the topsides. (Form follows fun?)

Refurbished and expanded several times and lengthened once over the years, the ship has managed to maintain an attractive appearance. Built by the long defunct Schichau Seebeckwerft in Bremerhaven, after its 2021 lengthening by 25.6 meters and the previous addition of more than 50 new cabins and other features, its tonnage is now 12,995. And from the original 208 passengers it can now carry 312. Somehow there is also space for 188 to 190 staff.

 At Pier 23 (contrasting with the Norwegian Gem at Pier 22, in the background) the diving tender Allen Clipper is attending to some work at the bow and the tug Might Edge has a sectional scow alongside to pick up refuse and recyclables.

Despite its age, the Star Pride has also had many other upgrades including new more environmentally friendly engines, and seems likely to maintain it position as a popular high-end cruiser.

On the other side of the coin was this afternoon's arrival of the unusual looking Arctic Rock. 

 Designed around a large single hold, it is a shallow draft (5 meters when fully loaded) multi-purpose vessel suitable for carrying heavy cargoes. Its oddly shaped mid-body allows for a box shaped hold, with full width stacking hatches (no understow) and it can go to sea "open top" (that is with hatches off and hold open). It also has the usual moveable tween decks and bulkheads. If needed it can carry 374 TEU (122 in the hold and 252 on deck). It has no cargo handling gear so will depend on shore based cranes. Built in 2014 by Hartman Marine BV (also the owners) at their Urk shipyard in the Netherlands it is a 2989 gt, 3285 dwt vessel. Although not apparent from the photo, the superstructure is offset to starboard and occupies only half the width of the ship, allowing for oversize cargoes.

Pity the poor crew perched high above the stern when the ship begins to pitch. They will get a free roller coaster ride, but not for fun, but because function came first and foremost. 

The Arctic Rock is arriving from Salerno, Italy, likely with aircraft components. It is the second ship to bring in such a cargo in the last few weeks.If more information comes to light, I will publish an update.

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