Tue, 10 Dec 2002
From the more-power-is-better school of naval architecture ...
... Comes the Lucy Ashton, a 1888 vintage paddle steamer which,
in 1951, was up-engined to accomodate a brace of four Rolls Royce
Derwent IV turbojets (each pumping out 3600lbs of thrust) for propulsion;
the idea was to experimentally confirm existing theories about drag and
friction using a full-sized ship hull. It was apparently so loud that the
wheelhouse had to be soundproofed to 60dB of attenuation; there were no
brakes, so to stop the vessel they fitted large metal flaps that could
be lowered from the outriggers.
Also at the same web site: combat cutlery, an archive of Victorian rotary steam engine designs, and the incredible armoured narrowboat.
[ Link ((Thanks, Simon!)]
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posted at: 20:09 | path: /toys | permanent link to this entry
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