Parsons' Turbinia: how an audacious stunt ensured a steam engineering revolution

As a child, Charles Algernon Parsons spent a lot of time in the workshop of his father, the third Earl of Rosse, who was an astronomer.

There he observed his father’s work and listened to the many scientists who visited. He went on to study maths at Cambridge University. 

In 1884 Parsons went to work for Clarke, Chapman and Company, manufacturer of electric dynamos. Realising that a significant amount of energy was being lost between the engine and the dynamo, Parsons set about designing a machine that would use the steam’s energy directly. 

Parsons’ steam turbines consisted of a rotor in which several wheels were attached to a shaft. Steam entered and expanded, causing the shaft wheels to rotate. Stationary blades forced the steam against the rotating blades, maximising energy efficiency. The steam then continued until it encountered another set of turbine blades, designed to work at a slightly lower pressure.

His turbine achieved a speed of 18,000rpm. Having foreseen the potential of the turbines to power ships, he set up the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company in 1897. He had an experimental vessel, Turbinia (above), built to show off his invention. The Admiralty was kept informed of developments.

Turbinia turned up unannounced at the review of the Royal Navy fleet for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee on 26 June 1897. The Prince of Wales, Lords of the Admiralty and dignitaries all witnessed the spectacle that Turbinia created as it sped along, easily evading a navy picket boat that tried to pursue it. 

Parsons soon saw his steam turbine widely used for both commercial and military ships. 

Parsons 5kW turbogenerator set from around 1880