In order to explore the behaviour of continuous panel such as transversely constructed bottom shell plating of ship, series of tests were carried out by these specimens with various amount of initial deflection and the ratio of frame space to thickness of plate. Some theoretical considerations on the continuous panel were performed simultaneously. After analysing the results of these tests with reference to the theoretical calculations, critical stresses for buckling and corrugation were obtained, and the allowable limit of initial deflection of bottom plate was discussed over large and small ships.