1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Cruises

Displacement

By Linda Garrison, About.com

Definition: The weight of the volume of water that is displaced by the ship's hull is equal to the ship's weight. The unit of measurement for displacement is the long ton. One long ton equals 2,240 pounds.
Examples: The displacement of a ship is equal to the weight of both the ship and the weight of the water that it displaces. In order to be buoyant, a ship must weigh less than the water it displaces.

Explore Cruises

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Aft
  3. Amidship
  4. Cruise Glossary
  5. Displacement

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.