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January 2011 www.sname.org/sname/mt (in review) Many manufacturers are using Miller cycle and Miller cycle variations to achieve improved eciency and lower emissions. is is mentioned in chapter 7, but only in pass- ing. e theory and application of these developments is not covered in sucient detail to be of use to a modern engineer. e Miller cycle is very dierent from the dual combustion cycle (composite cycle) that is discussed in chapter 1, eory and General Principles. As in previous recent editions, an entire chapter addresses Doxford engines. e opening gure of the chapter is the same poor-quality photograph of a 76J4 engine on test bed. Why include a chapter on Doxford engines? Are they important for any modern ship? On the other hand, there is only one short chapter on gas turbines; is that enough to justify including gas turbines in the title of this book? e book is out of date in style as well as content. e publishers should consider a new format with more modest dimensions and paper with a smoother finish. The clarity of photos and diagrams in this edition do not meet modern standards. is edition might be worth having only for readers who have a collection of all eight previous editions and 52 mm of unused bookshelf space. Vinny Treglia is a member of SNAME, a professional engineer, and a li- censed marine engineer, on the faculty of the Texas Maritime Academy. REVIEWED BY WILLIAM DUBARRY THOMAS The tran- sit of ocean waters is such a com- monplace event today that the impact of Captain Moses Rogerss crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean on his steamer Savannah , the first such crossing by a steamship, may be lost. John Laurence Busch places that accomplishment in proper perspective with his remarkably well-researched and written account of those earliest days of steam propulsion. One must recall that when Savannah made her his- toric voyage in 1819, it had been a mere twelve years since Robert Fulton had rst operated that pioneering steamboat, appropriately named North River Steamboat , from New York to Albany. (at this vessel is inappro- priately referred to as Clermont is a side issue here, but it has become part of the legend.) John Buschs supremely readable account of the development and construction of the Savannah , the short working life of the vessel, and the passionate career of Captain Moses Rogers, represents the cre- ation of a long-needed missing piece of maritime history. Had that memorable voyage not taken place, what would have constituted the early days of steam propulsion? When would this have taken place? And who would have provided the impetus to conquer the great unknown that was seen as the real challenge of man-and-steam versus Mother Nature? e text provides an account of this voyage and places it in the context of contemporary events, as the United States recovered from its second war with Great Britain (1812-1815). Captain Robertss post- Savannah days in South Carolina were nearly as pioneering, and we must not forget that a Liberty ship was named for him. As an aside, it is of interest to look at a quick sum- mary of the steam vessels that had been built and operated in the United States during the years prior to Savannahs passage. From Fultons Folly? of 1807 through the start of the year 1819, there had been no fewer than 61 steam-propelled vessels on the coastal and harbor waters of the nation, as well as 36 steamers that operated throughout the western rivers system. During the years 1819 and 1820, an additional 20 coastal vessels and 44 more western river vessels joined the fleet. Readers interested in what constituted steam engineering in the Savannah era may want to refer to a copy of the Mariners Museum 1957 translation of Jean Baptiste Marestiers 1824 volume on American steam vessels. Buschs enlightening account of those days when steam navigation was emerging as the conqueror of the oceans is a remarkable work. It may properly be termed a page-turner, and is strongly recommended. MTBarry Thomas is a Life Fellow of SNAME and past chairman of the SNAME History Committee, and he frequently contributes to SNAME publications. Steam Con: Captain Moses Rogers and the Steamship Savannah Break the BarrierBy John Laurence Busch PUBLISHED BY HODOS HISTORIA LLC Must-Read History and Maybe-Read Reference continued