I hate to reopen a sometimes emotional debate on the merits of the above, but long perusal and reading of the many postings and anecdotes relating to above the continuing thread is the many and varied descriptions of breakdowns, emergencies and repairs etc. on diesel engines, ( I nearly said grease driven!) Although it is well accepted that the modern diesel was much more efficient in a thermal and economic sense to operate than even a modern high pressure steam installation there does seem to be a higher incidence of stoppages and breakdowns that that occurred on steam driven ships, either with turbines or recip. engines.
Recip. engines were pretty rugged, and it took a fairly major calamity to stop them, but turbines and associated gearing did operate at fairly close tolerances and the potential for a major catastrophe was always there if not operated correctly but in fact rarely caused problems.
I await a thunder clap about my head!
Recip. engines were pretty rugged, and it took a fairly major calamity to stop them, but turbines and associated gearing did operate at fairly close tolerances and the potential for a major catastrophe was always there if not operated correctly but in fact rarely caused problems.
I await a thunder clap about my head!