Compound Reversing and Condensing Launch Engine

This two-cylinder marine engine would have driven a launch or workboat up to around 20 metres in length.

Like most marine steam engines, it is fitted with “Stevenson link motion” which swaps over the inlet and exhaust ports at the throw of a lever.  This allows the engine to reverse direction of rotation almost instantly, unlike an internal combustion engine.

(On loan from the estate of the late Tom Strange.  Restored by Andrew Bremner and IMarEST.  Loan 41)