Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to study the problem which a propulsion method by fin stroke like fish and dolphins is practically applied to the propulsive system of ships. The Fin Ship, which mounts a dolphin-style oscillating wing apparatus under the bottom of the ship, is made for trial and a feasibility test from the engineering stand-point is carried out.
The Fin Ship has the following merits; it is free from rolling and pitching of the ship; the danger of one being involved into the rotating screw can be eliminated; contamination of water resulting from the screw stirring up water can be prevented; the propulsive efficiency which gives about 66% in low frequency range is high compared with that of conventional small propellers.
It is found that this new propulsion system has great possibility to be applied for low speed ships.
