Steamship

Summary of Steamship

A vessel propelled by steam-driven turbines; steam is generated under pressure in boilers and is directed to a rotor shaft, causing the propeller to spin. Most steamships in current use burn fuel oil to fire the boilers. Steam generation was the favored propulsion method, owing to its reliability of performance and low maintenance, until spiraling energy costs mandated more fuel- efficient plants. See motor ship.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)