Comments by "Big Blue" (@bigblue6917) on "Sail to Steam to Iron - Half a Century of Change" video.

  1. That was excellent. It filled in a number of gaps in my knowledge of the Royal Navy in the 19th century. I knew the first steam ship predated the Battle of Trafalgar. It was built in Scotland and was used on a canal I seem to remember. It's effect was such that there was talk of Richard Trevithick building number of steam ships to tow fireships which would be used to attack the Franco-Spanish fleet. The plan was stopped because Trevithick did not think it was viable at that time. I remember reading about an incident which happened in 1821 when a ship approaching the Isle of Mann was spotted with smoke billowing skyward. Realising there was a fire onboard a number of ships set sail to go to the rescue only to have it sail straight passed them. The smoke was from a steam engine.
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  2. Hi. Yes. You know all the things we tell you about not having fires onboard your tar-coated wood and canvas ships, especially with all that gun powder. Well we've been thinking and we now think it could be a good idea. I can go do what with the rudder.
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