From: user@example.net   
      
   On 2/11/2026 1:52 PM, Liz Tuddenham wrote:   
   > john larkin  wrote:   
   >   
   >> On Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:30:39 -0800, Buzz McCool   
   >>  wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> On 2/11/2026 7:56 AM, john larkin wrote:   
   >>>> Ships are most all diesels now. Steam plants are efficient but complex   
   >>>> and it's hard to get crews who can run them.   
   >>>   
   >>> I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.   
   >>>   
   >>   
   >> Steamships burn Bunker-c, which is about the cheapest hydrocarbon   
   >> available. It's stiff tar at room temperature. Nasty, stinky stuff.   
   >   
   > You need steam to heat it so that it can flow into the burners.  The   
   > steam comes from the boilers that are heated by burning the fuel - but   
   > the fuel can't be burnt until it has been heated by the steam wbich   
   > can't be made until.....   
      
   Even in olden times large steam engines were started by smaller   
   auxiliary steam engines..   
      
   > Steam plants are complex....   
      
   My book on the topic, "Steam" by Babcock & Wilcox is an 1891 printing   
   and was already in its 16th edition:   
      
      
      
   It has some water damage which I figure is appropriate for a vintage   
   book on steam, sort of like an old cook book with food stains on it.   
      
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