I'm reading Last Flag Down about the journey of the last confederate war ship, Shenandoah. Built in London it was 230' long, sail and steam with 24 sails, 250 hp steam engine and a 14' bronze prop.
"It had two remarkable innovations, both of which became technological dead ends. First, she had a hoisting propeller: the huge bronze blade rode in an elaborate cradle and could be hoisted free of the drive shaft and stored above the waterline to reduce drag when she was under sail. Secondly, she had been equipped with a lowering smokestack that gave her more room for canvas when the boiler was off."
So this made me think, what other bright nautical ideas or inventions do you all remeber or have read about? There's gotta be a bunch!
"It had two remarkable innovations, both of which became technological dead ends. First, she had a hoisting propeller: the huge bronze blade rode in an elaborate cradle and could be hoisted free of the drive shaft and stored above the waterline to reduce drag when she was under sail. Secondly, she had been equipped with a lowering smokestack that gave her more room for canvas when the boiler was off."
So this made me think, what other bright nautical ideas or inventions do you all remeber or have read about? There's gotta be a bunch!
