Steam propulsion systems

[LilRhody]

In the 1980s I was a Main Propulsion Assistant to the Chief Engineer (degrees in History and English no less) aboard USS JOSEPH HEWES (FF 1078), an anti-submarine small ship out of Charleston SC. I am currently writing a book about a young man from the Saratoga Springs NY area who reported to Annapolis five days before John Brown was hung outside Harpers Ferry. Oliver Batcheller wound up at the Battle of Port Hudson and was with Farragut at Mobile Bay, albeit on a different ship. Pretty interesting guy who left behind 220 letters that are now the property of the Nimitz library at Annapolis.

I need to get my hands on a book that can tell me details about Civil-War era steam propulsion systems, specifically, schematics of their systems. If anyone has any suggestions I would be much obliged.

The Knox class frigates were of the mid and late 1960s variety, single-screw, double boiler 1200psi, 3500 tons, carried Anti-Submarine rockets, a 5" 54 gun on its bow, triple torpedo tubes amidships, and near the end of their lives even carried a CIWS (close in weapon defense system that looked like R2D2 and spat 3000 spent uranium slugs per minute at incoming anti-ship missiles). On the *** end we had a flight deck that carried SH-2 helicopters that were stand-off search and rescue platforms, carried attack weapons against subs, and were employed for personnel and logistic transports. The ships were normally placed on the outer ring of carrier battle group screens, we were glorified targets and treated accordingly. I remember towing our TACTAS towed array passive sonar chasing Russian ballistic submarines north of Bermuda in the wintertime. The ship had a hull mounted SQS 26 sonar attached to its bow, a very good sub detection system. Scary **** in any weather, but awful rides in November.

rh

 

[Lubliner]

In the 1980s I was a Main Propulsion Assistant to the Chief Engineer (degrees in History and English no less) aboard USS JOSEPH HEWES (FF 1078), an anti-submarine small ship out of Charleston SC. I am currently writing a book about a young man from the Saratoga Springs NY area who reported to Annapolis five days before John Brown was hung outside Harpers Ferry. Oliver Batcheller wound up at the Battle of Port Hudson and was with Farragut at Mobile Bay, albeit on a different ship. Pretty interesting guy who left behind 220 letters that are now the property of the Nimitz library at Annapolis.

I need to get my hands on a book that can tell me details about Civil-War era steam propulsion systems, specifically, schematics of their systems. If anyone has any suggestions I would be much obliged.

The Knox class frigates were of the mid and late 1960s variety, single-screw, double boiler 1200psi, 3500 tons, carried Anti-Submarine rockets, a 5" 54 gun on its bow, triple torpedo tubes amidships, and near the end of their lives even carried a CIWS (close in weapon defense system that looked like R2D2 and spat 3000 spent uranium slugs per minute at incoming anti-ship missiles). On the *** end we had a flight deck that carried SH-2 helicopters that were stand-off search and rescue platforms, carried attack weapons against subs, and were employed for personnel and logistic transports. The ships were normally placed on the outer ring of carrier battle group screens, we were glorified targets and treated accordingly. I remember towing our TACTAS towed array passive sonar chasing Russian ballistic submarines north of Bermuda in the wintertime. The ship had a hull mounted SQS 26 sonar attached to its bow, a very good sub detection system. Scary **** in any weather, but awful rides in November.

rh

You might want to try The Mariners' Museum on-line or in person. Another suggestion would be the vast array displayed on a google search of books on the history of steam propulsion. I evidenced one at Books-a-Million years ago that was very attractive with drawings and text, but alas, the memory passes of which it was. For a critique of the book by a member, check with the Naval Forum Host, @USS ALASKA. He can provide some ideas. Thanks and welcome.
Lubliner.

 

[Dilandu]

USS JOSEPH HEWES

If I recall correctly, it was your ship, that rescued the passengers of MV/A Regina, when it hit the rock and was evacuated?

 

[LilRhody]

If I recall correctly, it was your ship, that rescued the passengers of MV/A Regina, when it hit the rock and was evacuated?

I was aboard 1981-December 1983. She was a workhorse and we loved her. Not sure of that incident but we witnessed the Marine barracks attack at Beirut Intl Airport on Oct 23 1983, 8,ooo yards offshore providing gunfire support. Very bad day. 241 Marines killed.