The Engine Room Hatch
By Patrick McSherry
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