Why are Ocean Liners Black?
When ocean liners began being built in the late 1830s, their only viable fuel source was coal, which tended to leave dust when being loaded through the coal ports across their hulls, particularly if the coal was American in origin. This was particularly messy. To hide the dust, ocean liners, as well as coastal trading vessels, were painted with black hulls, a practice that was adopted to prevent the soot and coal particles from becoming visible.
Moreover, many shipping lines even painted the tops of their ship’s funnels black for the same reason. However, not every shipping line adopted this practice. For example, the Union-Castle Line notably painted their ships lavender, a distinctive choice that set them apart from the norm.
The Influence of Oil and Tradition
The shift from coal to oil in the 1920s gave some shipping lines, like The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (PO), the opportunity to use different colors. White became a popular choice for these companies. However, other shipping lines, such as Cunard Line, continued to paint most of their ships black due to tradition. Notable exceptions include the RMS Caronia of 1947 and the Cunard Line's upcoming MS Queen Anne, which is painted with the same black hull and livery as the RMS Britannia of 1840, despite the new ship being powered by diesel motors.
Despite the technological advancements in the past 180 years, the tradition of black hulls remained strong, driven by both practical and historical reasons. The.uniform tradition of using black hulls continues until this day, as seen in modern ships like the MS Queen Anne.
From Black to Red: The Modern Solution
Nowadays, a red color is used that contains substances that barnacles do not like. Red paint, particularly when it contains substances that repel barnacles, is common on modern ships. If this is true, it would explain why barnacles avoid ships painted in such colors. The use of red paint for this purpose is not only practical but also reflects the current trend in maritime design.
When scraping barnacles off sailboats in California in the 1980s, I witnessed firsthand the destructive power of these marine organisms. It is no wonder that modern shipping lines opt for colors that are less attractive to barnacles, such as red. The tar-based products used in the past, which were applied to below the waterline to waterproof ships, may have contributed to the black color. Alternatively, the tradition of using black hulls for aesthetic reasons, particularly due to the austere aesthetics of the 19th century, persisted even after the advent of steamships.
Before the 18th Century
Before the 18th century, ships were not painted but rather tarred and varnished, resulting in a natural wood color known as 'bright.' In the 18th century, ships were often painted in bright colors, but by the 19th century, black paint became the norm, reflecting the general austerity of that era.
The shift from bright colors to black did not coincide with the invention of steamships. Instead, it was a result of the prevailing aesthetic tastes of the time. Therefore, the tradition of using black hulls on ocean liners is a fascinating blend of practicality and historical continuity that has endured for centuries.