A floating steamer

Baltimore/Maine Doug

They have a web site

http://www.liberty-ship.com/

Baltimore/Maine Doug

Liberty Ship John W. Brown

My son took treated me to a cruise on the Liberty Ship John W. Brown yesterday. Great weather on the Chesapeake Bay. One of two operating Liberty class, the Brown is 441 feet long with a 140 ton 2500 HP triple expansion engine. Fed by two Babcock and Wilcox boilers burning diesel fuel now at 42 gallons per mile.

I have been aboard steamers in their engine rooms before but standing next to a running 2500 HP triple is quite a thrill. The three DC generators are driven by high speed single cylinder steam engines. Another engine turns a massive air blower. Another moves the reversing gear and another turns the engine over.

The burners have a characteristic roar and it is hot and the smell of steam mixed with hot oil is better than cookies baking. Could not see if there were drop headers. I took some pictures and bought the DVD of the running engine since it shows the 4 foot stroke better.

While out in the Bay, vintage WWII planes made low passes over and around the ship. One felt the exhaust vibrations as they flew so close.


Got to talk with many Vets and Merchant Marine guys. Lots of stories about life aboard floating targets. There are not many left that know how to operate a ship and steam plant built in Baltimore in 1942.

Long live the power of steam.

And like Mad Dog said, it was a fantastic father/son day.

Fred Harwood_2

Liberty Ship

Will you be posting some of those pictures? Would love to see em.

V8toilet

cost of fuel

$168 of fuel per mile; WOW!

jeff klaverweiden

I agree about steam and the smell of steam oil , it also makes a great hobby.I was driving this 120 horsepower Peerless steam tractor in the parade

Baltimore/Maine Doug

Such fun toys

It is amazing how much stuff it takes to run a little steam engine. From fire box to smokestack, carry fuel and water, injector. Silent chuffing and radiant heat on cold days. Nice machine.