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).
Requirements for marine engines from the perspective of a yacht owner or skipper.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\3\ scan0091 | |
| Date | 10th January 1940 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AA.{D. Abbot-Anderson} Copy to Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} Marine Engines. As you already know I had a long session with Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} on Monday January 1st. He will be reporting to you in due course. I thought I would like to let you have my views which are based entirely upon the position viewed from the eyes of the yacht owner or professional yacht skipper. Firstly, it is essential that the engine and all its fittings should be absolutely reliable, and all accessories such as engine operated bilge pumps etc. should be at the skipper's hand. Lives may depend upon this in a tight place in a bad sea. ENGINE. All aluminium must be eliminated at least where it comes in contact with salt water, cylinder head for instance, wheel case etc. can be treated with salt resisting paint. COOLING. Our centrifugal type pump must go and a gear type be fitted. I advise Parsons of Southampton for this. They also produce water cooled manifolds and silencers. The former can be fitted to our engines without any alteration to design of the cylinder head or block. Filters on the suction side of the cooling pump should be Thornycroft type, which can be cleaned etc. while the ship is afloat and in motion. I would suggest the elimination of the thermostat in the cooling system, and substitute a hand control. The man at the wheel likes to be able to control the water temperature of the engines. | ||