1910 Yarmouth Exhibition of Fishing Boat Motors
'An exhibition of special interest to those engaged in the fishing industry was opened on Saturday at Great Yarmouth, the largest herring fishing port in the world. The aim of the promoters, Messrs Gray and Crowley (Ltd.), is to give a practical demonstration of the advantages of the marine oil engine for fishing boats and commercial craft generally.
In recent years there has been a growing movement on the part of owners of fishing boats, especially in the North Sea trade, to adopt the internal combustion type of motor. Scottish fishermen have undoubtedly taken the lead in this matter, and it is slated in the last published report of the Scottish Fishery Board that there are now 175 Scottish fishing boats fitted with oil engines, ranging from 60 to 95 horse-power. Some fifty of these motor boats, mainly engaged in the Scottish herring fisheries are lying at Yarmouth at present), and it is hoped that this exhibition, the first of the kind that has been held this country, may have the effect of stimulating what is destined to become a very important industry.
No fewer than seven oil engines are to be seen in the exhibition, working under their own power. Four of these are coupled up to a propeller, working in a big water tank, while another engine is shown operating with the propellor, but without the water tank, the intention being to demonstrate that this engine will run easily and regularly without any load upon it.
SCOTTISH EXHIBITORS. The principal exhibitors of working engines are William Beardmore and Co., naval construction works, Dalmuir; Blackstone and Co., Stamford; Thornycroft and Co., Westminster; Norris and Henty, Manchester; and Perman and Co., London.
The Beardmore paraffin engines have two cylinders, each 10 ins. diameter by 15 ins. stroke, and developing 60 h.p. 340 revolutions per minute. The cylinder heads and vaporiser are so designed that complete combustion is effected, thus leaving no deposit. The engine, after being previously heated at the vaporiser by means of a blowlamp, is started by compressed air, and immediately the engine is started, the blowlamp can be dispensed with. The fuel oil, after being compressed, ignited by means of a high tension rotary magneto. Some of the special features of the Beardmore engine arc its simplicity of design, substantial construction, accessibility for overhauls, and the extremely low fuel consumption, this being .65 pint or ordinary paraffin per hour.
In addition to the working motors, there is good deal to interest the visitors to the exhibition in the shape of the various kinds of oils used in the engines, well as nautical instruments, lamps and fittings for fishing-boats, and ropes and lines of every description.
A series of models lent by the Japanese Government shows conclusively that Japan is far in advance of this country in the extent to which it has adopted the motor fishing boat. It is stated that there are over 3000 vessels of this now sailing in Japanese waters. Invitations were issued to 6,000 Yarmouth fishermen to visit the exhibition, which will remain open till Saturday, 12th November.[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser - Tuesday 01 November 1910