The Engine Room Hatch of the Cruiser
OLYMPIA
By Patrick McSherry
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The engine room hatch, located on the OLYMPIA's centerline, is crowned by a large
fidley, or operable hatch, which could be opened to allow for the heat
from the engine rooms below to escape, and for access to the engines at
times of major repairs or refitting. Peering down from the level of the
berth deck, down the ladders to the catwalks below, the visitor can see
the top of the forward portions of the two large vertical triple
expansion engines. The 42 inch diameter high pressure and 59 inch
diameter intermediate pressure cylinders are clearly seen as are the
associated valves. The 92 inch diameter low pressure cylinder is hidden
from view below the deck, aft. Centered high on the aft bulkhead of this
space is the brass plate bearing the name of the vessel’s maker. It
reads "UNION IRON WORKS/Engineers and Shipbuilders/ SAN FRANCISCO/ 18
CAL. 93." The forward bulkhead of the Junior Officer's Wardroom has
several portholes, which look out into the engine skylight and hatch.
This view is taken looking down on the starboard
engine from the engine room hatch deck. At the top of the image is
the high pressure piston. The intermediate pressure piston is shown
at the bottom of the image. The low pressure piston, the largest of
the three, extends under the deck and under the Junior Officers'
Wardroom.
Proceed to the Crew Space,
Part I
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