Turbinia 1894

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Ship Name

Name:	TURBINIA
Type:	Experimental Yacht
Launched:	02/08/1894
Completed:	1894
Builder:	CA Parsons
Yard:	Wallsend
Yard Number:	1
Dimensions:	44.5disp, 104.75 x 9.0 x 3.0(draft)ft
Engines:	Steam turbine, DR Geared; (1896: 3 x steam turbines)
Engines by:	Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co
Propulsion:	1 x Screw; (1896: 3 x Shafts and 9 x Screws), 34.5knots
Construction:	Steel
Reg Number:	n/a
History:
1894	Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co
1926	Museum ship
	Now preserved

Comments:	An experimental vessel built by Charles Parsons to demonstrate the benefits of his
	revolutionary design of steam turbines
	The hull of TURBINIA was built by Brown & Hood at Wallsend
	The original 1 x Screw design gave disappointing results & after extensive research
	Parsons realised the problem was propeller cavitation
	This was a new phenomenon that Parsons had discovered
	A revised power plant driving 3 x shafts, each with 3 x propellers provided the
	necessary solution and over 34 knots
	1897: The TURBINIA turned up unannounced at the 1897 Navy Review, held at Spithead,
	to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
	1907: Almost cut in two by CROSSBY, launched from Hebburn yard
	1926: Offered to the London Science Museum as an exhibit
	The aft section, turbines and screws were put on public display
	1944: Fore section donated to Newcastle Council for display
	1959: Aft section removed from display and donated to Newcastle
	The turbines were retained by the London Science Museum
	1961: Whole ship on display with a reconstructed centre section
	1983: A complete reconstruction undertaken
	1994: Hull put on display at Newcastle's Science & Engineering Museum
	The museum was later renamed the Newcastle Discovery Museum

Above: TURBINIA at Brown & Hood's premises at Wallsend. Photo is courtesy of John R Short