Posted by Tom Napier on November 27, 2012 at 11:57:53 user Didymus.
In Reply to: Re: BBC Radio 4 AR broadcast posted by Andy Clayton on November 27, 2012 at 07:25:04:
Failing more definite information, I would vote for an IC powered launch. In both SA and SD it is referred to as a "motor launch" not a "steam launch." In SD CH10 John hears its "chug-chug" which could refer to either a steam engine or a single cylinder petrol engine but he also refers to the sound of its motor. Even John would think of a steam boat as having an engine, not a motor.
The convincing evidence is the brief description we get of a boat with an open cockpit fore and aft with a clear line of sight through the cabin between them. A steam launch would have a fire-box, boiler and chimney obstructing some part of its centre-line.