Cochrane's Rotary Steam Engines

[richard]

I've just been reading a biography of Admiral Lord Cochrane ("Cochrane: The Real Master and Commander" by David Cordingly), and much to my surprise there are references to The Rocket!

Cochrane was most famous for his single ship actions as a frigate captain - inspiring the exploits of Hornblower, Aubrey, etc. However in later life he did a bit of experimenting & inventing including the high pressure air system used by the Brunels in the Thames Tunnel, and a "rotary steam engine".

The steam engine was not a great success, but the first trials were in 1834 using The Rocket, on loan from the Liverpool and Manchester (it had been withdrawn due to mechanical problems). The trials were not a success but he continued to develop the idea. The London & Greenwich Railway built two of his engines, and trials were more successful but defects developed and both were withdrawn amidst legal action.

The engine was also tried in a steam ship but the ship had a major design flaw and sat too low in the water to be considered safe for anything but basic trials.

I found a bit more on these odd engines, here:

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/P ... chrane.htm


Richard

[52D]

Perhaps we should rename Wankels as Cochranes.