Book 18, Question 101
How Do Icebreaker Ships Break Through Thick Ice?
An icebreaker is a ship built to crush its way through thick ice! It has a super strong steel hull and a bow shaped like a sloping spoon. The engines push it up onto the ice, and its heavy weight does the breaking.
More fun facts
- An icebreaker needs a bow that can crush ice.
- The whole ship must be built for ice from the keel up.
- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy can break ice 4.5 feet thick while moving steadily.
- It can back up and ram ice up to 8 feet thick.
- The Healy is designed to work in temperatures as low as minus 50°F.
Sources: National Geographic, NOAA
Questions kids ask
How thick is the ice the Healy can break?
It can break ice 4.5 feet thick while moving steadily, and ram ice up to 8 feet thick.