Under the guidance of the Ships Machinery Committee of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Technical and Research Program, Panel M-16 (Modernization of Propulsion Shaft System) is investigating and evaluating various types of shaft bearings with their related problems under simulated and actual operating conditions. The first step in this investigation was the review of available information on this subject. Through the cooperation of the Department of the Navy and others, certain information was made available on the testing and use of lignum vitae as a bearing material. Panel M-16, therefore, asked Mr. Watt V. Smith to prepare this report regarding the lignum vitae bearing as part of its overall bearing investigation program.