The industrial revolution from 1760 to 1840 was powered initially by water wheels then by steam. This was the transition from man made goods to machines.
Steam power quickly became the power of choice for factories, cars and trucks, locomotives and tractors. This was done by boilers and reciprocating steam engines.
With the invention of the steam turbine by Charles Parsons everything changed for the better. He built a small ship powered by three steam turbines and nine propellers. The Royal Navy saw the future of the steam turbine and then used it to power the huge battleships – the Dreadnoughts.
The liners of the day that competed for the Blue Riband were powered by steam turbines. These ships included the Lusitania and the Maurentania which held the Riband for 20 years. Today the Riband is held by the United States which could travel at close to 30 knots.
The next major change was from coal to oil which made working conditions much better. Today Navy ships are powered by both diesel engines and gas turbines. Cruise liners are often powered by mammoth diesel engines.
Today you can experience and enjoy the romance of steam – the smell, the hissing and mechanical noises that make it seem alive. The Australian National Maritime Museum has the steam yacht Ena and the Sydney Heritage Fleet has two steam vessels – Lady Hopetoun and the steam tug Waratah.
Join us to hear how these beautiful vessels were born.
Presented by Noel Phelan from the Museum's Speakers Group.
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