Two identical circular cylinders are submerged to the same depth
in tandem in a
stream. There are separation distances between the cylinder centres such
that the
combination makes no downstream waves, and hence is subject to zero net
wave
drag. In general there is then a non-zero equal and opposite horizontal
force on each
cylinder. However, there are special depths of submergence such that this
interaction
force between the cylinders also vanishes, and hence each cylinder is separately
free
of horizontal force. The parameter range for this phenomenon is explored
both
by linear theory for cylinders of small radius, and by a fully nonlinear
computer
program. For example, a configuration with a separation distance of approximately
one half-wavelength gives zero force on each cylinder when the depth of
submergence
is approximately three-quarters of the separation distance.