A SHORT HISTORY OF NAVAL AND MARINE ENGINEERING By Engineer-Captain
Edgar Smith
Among the profound changes in man's way of living which the machine age has introduced, the complete transformation of life at sea is one of the most important. The application of steam power to ships, in Captain Smith's words, " presented so many new problems, gave rise to so many new inventions, engrossed the attention of so many great engineers and led to such splendid achievements that its history claims special consideration." This book (Cambridge University Press, 18s.) fills a gap in the history of science and of the sea, and its appearance is especially timely in view of the centenary of the Transatlantic steamship service. Its author, who has been collecting material for thirty years, begins with the birth of the steamboat in France, Scotland and America, and carries his narrative down the very latest marine engines, including Diesel and other internal-combustion types. The effect of inventions such as the screw and the iron ship upon the Navy, both in material and personnel, is given special treatment, and the all-important development of oil-fuel is given its due place. Although this is primarily a text-book, it is written in a far from text-book manner, and should have a certain popular appeal, if only for the interest of its original documents.
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