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).
Disadvantages and doubtful advantage of fitting a warning whistle for water boiling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan155 | |
| Date | 1st August 1924 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X766 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG15. 8.24. RE. WARNING WHISTLE FOR WATER BOILING. X.4240. X766 We have carried out a number of tests with whistles to give warning of water boiling and have run cars with these fitted. Although a whistle can be made which will give warning, there are several disadvantages. We anticipate that under certain conditions such as climbing long hills in hot weather, the 20 HP. car will boil. It is not pleasing when the car commences to boil to have a whistle blowing the whole time. We found it was necessary to have a whistle which made a reasonable noise in order that it could be heard if the car was travelling at fairly high speeds. Our conclusion was that we thought the whistle a doubtful advantage. We believe that customers or drivers very quickly cultivate the habit of operating the shutters; they may forget once - even if they do, no harm is likely to occur. We do not think it is desirable for a RR. car to climb a hill with a steam whistle going the whole time. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||