When approximately did steam replace sail in the merchant navy?

[David Fells]

The title says it all really...

When approximately did steam replace sail in the merchant navy?

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Kind regards

[Chris Allman]

As a quick reply I would suggest the 1860s were the years when steam ships began to outnumber sailing ships and as a result sail then declined quite rapidly with the retirement of the clippers etc.

[Ken Norton]

I think Chris is right with his answer, there was however all sorts of problems with steam versus sail and for that reason sailing ships were still being used up 'til about 1890 ish. and after. Reading about this subject has been interesting. There seemed to be several problems with steam for the ship owners mid century. Steam engines were not very reliable, the amount of coal and water required for long voyages was a problem, room as the machinery took valuable cargo space and propellors used to drop off, so they usually carried a spare prop. and some sail. Triple marine expansion engines were introduced in 1870 ish which were much more efficient in the conservation of fuel and water. My Great Grandfather was a Master on the old sailing ships for some of his seagoing career ( fifty plus years) and went over to steam in his final years in 1903. Knowing this is what prompted me to read up on this, so thank you for that. I have in our lounge a painting of S.Y Catania which he served on dated 1909, in the Mediteranean flying the White Ensign. Also a photograph with him and the owners on the R.Y. Marcia so can only think he played it "cool" in his final years.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I always loved the painting - The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up, 1838 is an oil painting by the English artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. It was painted in 1838 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1839. The 98-gun ship HMS Temeraire. The painting depicts HMS Temeraire being towed by a paddle-wheel steam.

277053661_o.jpg

Not quite replacing steam nautically but, a
beginning toward the end.

K.

[vic mcclymont]

The PS Comet was the world's first sea going commercial paddle steamer launched 1812.
Vic

[Captain Kong]

I always loved the painting - The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last berth to be broken up, 1838 is an oil painting by the English artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. It was painted in 1838 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1839. The 98-gun ship HMS Temeraire. The painting depicts HMS Temeraire being towed by a paddle-wheel steam.


i HAVE A FRAMED COPY OF THAT PAINTING . FANTASTIC PICTURE.

[Keith at Tregenna]

I bought my copy years ago,
in of all places Chester.

K.

[Ken Norton]

Since posting I have found out a little more on the S.Y. Catania, apparently she was built in 1895 in Glasgow and was owned by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland. I remember my grandad telling me many years ago something about this also. Whether or not the photo I have is of them remains for me to find out. Will have to keep searching but have already found out quite a bit. Very interesting

[j.sabourn]

The first steam powered cargo prototype was the Turbina built on the Tyne in 1894. You could if not still do so view this vessel at the maritime part of the museum in Newcastle on Tyne. JS
Things must have moved fast after the initial entry of power to shipping.
The R.N. Had its first submarine built in Liverpool in 1912. The Hollande 1. Unfortuanetley it was lost on passage from the yard to Plymouth with no loss of life. Approx. 68 years later we found it just NE off the Eddystone on a fishfinder. It was later retrieved and is now in the Gosport submarine museum , after being polished up a bit after its rest in the deep.
These were not big vessels , big was not beautiful in days gone by. Cheers JWS
PS in 1894 Cappy was still using real horse power delivering the milk. However sorry to say the horse died and cannot be viewed , probably finished up as horse meat during hard times. Will now have the RSPCA after me for further info. sorry Cappy if have dropped you in JS

[Red Lead Ted]

Dave its worth pointing out there are still a lot of steam ships operational today Terry.