The Paddle Steamer Bessemer was a bizarre experimental passenger steamer.
1874 The Bessemer was built to demonstrate a concept propounded by Henry Bessemer, namely a ship where the saloon would be kept steady in all weathers. The original idea was to have it controlled by hand, but later it was decided to use a gyroscope. The ship was designed by Edward James Reed and constructed at Earle's yard in Hull.
1876 Advert: 'BESSEMER. For Sale, Hydraulic Engines and machinery in connection with saloon and steering gear; also one capstan, one set of cat and fish davits, and sundry other articles, on board steamer now lying in Albert Dock, Hull.— May be seen applying to Baltic Engine Works, Hull.'[1].
Later John Macfarlane Gray demolished the underlying theory of using a gyroscope in a ship in this way.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 26 July 1876