The opening section describes Britain’s relationship with the sea and shows views of coastline, cliffs, the River Thames in London and then views of Greenwich Observatory. At Greenwich we see historical artefacts including John Harrison’s first naval chronometer, early charts and paintings of historic naval battles. We then cut to a modern gas turbine powered motor torpedo boat (MTB) at sea. Modern testing methods on materials follows and views of a ship being constructed. Illustrations introduce the Ruston and Hornsby diesel engine that was first introduced as an oil engine fifty years ago (1903). Graphics show the increasing numbers of diesel powered craft. We then see inside the Lincoln factory of Ruston and Hornsby where engine parts are first cast in the foundry and then machined before being assembled. An inspector from Lloyds is seen looking at an engine on a test rig. We see similar scenes with an admiralty inspector at the associated Davey Paxman factory in Colchester. Practical applications of the Ruston and Hornsby maritime engine follow with views of the trawler fleets of Milford Haven and Lowestoft and an Icelandic trawler named Gylfi. Graphics show the working of a multiple engine version through a single screw. We then see the Royal Iris ferry and a dredger in operation on the River Mersey in Liverpool. This is followed by London dock barges and river buses on the Thames, the Regent Lark barge on a river (the Severn?), a grain elevator at London docks, and fire ships in operation in Hong Kong harbour and Avonmouth docks. Finally we see another montage of shipping including the SS Arcadia under construction at Clydebank.
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