David Watson Taylor (1864-1940), naval architect and engineer, made a very impressing career in the US Navy. He developed the first experimental ship model basin for the United States and became the Navy's chief constructor during WWI. His books about the building and operation of ships contain the most important scientific findings and leading ideas in the field of early 20th century naval engineering.»The intention of this work is to treat in a consistent and connected manner, for the use of students, the theory of resistance and propulsion of vessels and to give methods, rules and formulæ which may be applied in practice.«Reprint of the original edition from 1910.