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).
Viability of using an 8-cylinder engine in Motor Torpedo Boats.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\3\ scan0088 | |
| Date | 15th September 1939 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}6/MH.{M. Huckerby}15.9.39. USE OF 8-CYLINDER ENGINE FOR M.T.B'S. I saw first of all Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} who had handed over the whole job to Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}/LH.{Mr Haworth} He told me that the people who approve of the use of an auxiliary engine are Commander Grylls of the Admiralty and Vospers. There are considerable difficulties about using Merlins in Vosper boats because the new Wilson gearbox suggested has none of the necessary auxiliary drives. Vosper's naturally do not want to use a power boat gearbox made by a rival firm. The whole of this question is aired in Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}2/E.6.9.39. The next big point was that the 8-cylinder engine would only be required in boats either fitted with Merlins or Isotta Franchettis. It appeared that the Air Ministry were not willing for Merlin engines to be supplied to the Admiralty. Howarth, therefore, rang up Commander Grylls to discover whether I.F. engines were obtainable in war time. He collected the following information:- The Admiralty are now about to order 30 new boats with I.F. main engines and Ford auxiliary engines, the gearbox for which has already been designed and tooled up. The Admiralty have agreed with the R.A.F. not to take any more Merlin engines than the present 90 already sanctioned. These are all going in boats with main engines only and many of the boats are going abroad. As regards the use of Merlins, Grylls' attitude and that of the Admiralty was that it is better to have 3 fighters than 1 M.T.B. After the present order of 30 new boats he said that they would not be making any more of this kind, and, therefore, at the moment has no use for our 8-cylinder engine. Boats fitted with auxiliary engines apparently use them not only for creeping up to the enemy, but also for long distance cruises and charging the batteries while in port by means of at least a 1,000 watt dyno. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} Gry{Shadwell Grylls} | ||