On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 20:02:51 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote:

Again, from memory, this was considered a "stop gap" solution that
seemed to have good results and in fact you tended to see these "crack
arrestor" plates on much construction until well into the 60's

I believe I recall seeing them years back on some of the older
"LakeMax" frieghters here on Lake Ontario, which are limited to the
lock size on the Welland Canal of about 750 feet..

R.