Steam-ships : The story of their development to the present day

Charting a century of maritime innovation, this volume traces the rise of the steam‑ship from tentative experiments to the dominant force that now outweighs sail nine to one. Readers are guided through the early skepticism that surrounded early engines, the pivotal moment when iron replaced wooden hulls, and the bold leap of Brunel’s Great Britain that signaled a new era. Detailed illustrations and contemporary photographs bring to life the transformative steps that reshaped global trade routes.

The narrative then follows the relentless march of engineering breakthroughs: paddle wheels give way to screw propellers, compound and triple‑expansion engines extract ever more power from steam, and steel hulls become the standard. Alongside the technical evolution, the book examines how steam‑ships altered commerce, travel timetables, and the very notion of distance across the world’s oceans. By the close of the first act, the reader can sense the momentum that will drive shipbuilding into the modern age.