From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Development and market potential of petrol marine engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\3\ scan0138 | |
| Date | 5th March 1940 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} PETROL MARINE ENGINES. It is suggested that two types of units should be produced - one 8-cylinder and the other 6-cylinder; these engines to be based on the cast-iron units from the rationalized car range. It will be appreciated that certain alterations are absolutely necessary, such as, the fitting of water cooled exhaust manifolds, an oil cooler, heat exchange unit for the fresh water cooling circuit, together with an additional water pump. The Marine type of gear box would also have to be adapted to suit our engines and at the moment three different types are being investigated. Visits to well-known Yacht Yards have shown that for all boats requiring petrol engines over 40-HP, the boat-builders have to fit american units. There are British engines over 140-HP, but they are all of the slow speed type and very heavy. Investigations have shown that the power to weight ratios of our two engines are better than American Marine engines of similar sizes and our power output is also up on these competitive units. Figures given by the Marine section of the S.M.M.& T. show that an average of 500 to 550 petrol engines are imported yearly and between 900 and 1,000 are exported from this country. It is also estimated by the S.M.M.& T. that about 2,000 new units are fitted yearly in the British Isles. The above figures are, of course, based on peace time requirements. There is no reason why we should not capture the market up to - say - 250 engines in the first year and increase later. In 1938, Britain spent £30,410 in the United States on Marine Engines, and in Canada, £8,870. In the first 9 months of 1939, £28,125 were spent in the United States, and in Canada £13,112. These imports were chiefly Gray and Chrysler units which are competitive to our proposed two engines. | ||