Joe wrote:
But what about LCB & VCB?

The freighter was a stern engine room scamp with center and forward
cargo holds.

Shall we just say that she will load level?

Joe

The question was about TPI which meant we were only concerned with
"bodily" sinkage, not trim.
One factor to consider is that since this was to be fuel and the ship
was a midship house freighter, the Captain would probably load it close
to the midships area, so there would be little affect on trim.
In truth, the question was bogus.
Without the Hydrostatic curves/tables,deadweight scales and knowing what
the draft was, prior to loading the wood (wet or dry?)for the particular
ship in question we really couldn't give an accurate answer.
However, as a "fun" exercise, if we took the formula you gave TPI=AWP/420
TPI= 250x45/420=26.8 tons to submerge 1"
Total fuel loaded was 260 tons
Total bodily sinkage= 260/26.8= 9.7"
Obviously, this is bogus, since we know the ship is not a box, but if
you want, reduce the AWP by 1/2 and see what you get.
The main point was/is that 260 tons is not really all that much weight
added,. for a ship.
The other possible problem in looking at your original statement was
that you stated the vessel tonnage as between 300-500. What tonnage were
you estimating? If this was gross or net it didn't give an indication as
to weights and is probably low, anyway.

otn