Posted by Martin Honor on February 14, 2016 at 12:35:28 user MartinH.
In Reply to: Re: Gibber posted by John Nichols on February 11, 2016 at 05:52:54:
Remember this was the 1930s. Compact, efficient marine diesels were not common at the time. During WW2 the RN's coastal forces suffered because they nearly all were fitted with petrol engines in wooden hulls. Conversely the German S-boote (commonly called E-boats) had diesel engines and were far less likely to burn.
Somebody else has mentioned the problems of starting small diesels. As late as the 70s, and probably into the 80s, the RN's whalers and motor cutters had twin cylinder diesels. A couple of pumps of ether into the cylinders were needed to get these to start. From warm this was no problem but on a frosty winter morning it could take several attempts to get the things running.
Post a followup (Only if you agree to the Terms and Conditions)