An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 and Spike Island remained in British hands until the handover of the Treaty ports in 1938. PO Duggan was unable to glean much information on the intervening years up until the modern era. The naval draftsman, Neil Rasmussen, says that when he investigated some drawings from many years ago that "the Model VE2 stationary engine was driving a dynamo supplying electrical current to the massive capstans located at the head of the slipways which run adjacent to the buildings". These capstans were used to remove small boats from the water and haul them up the slips for maintenance and repair. The last known report of the engine being fired up was discovered by SCPO/ERA Mick Kennedy, who on hearing that a project was getting under way put out a call on social media via the 'Irish Navy Friends Connection' page on Facebook. Reports back indicated that it may have possibly been run in the 1970s. SCPO Kennedy has a keen interest in history and in 2015 led the restoration of an early 18th Century cannon. He believes that "the NS and wider DF should invest more in preserva- tion projects of this nature", and suggests that a future project might be "the restoration of the Lister engine and generator from a Flower Class corvette that is in the neighbouring building to the Vickers Petters." "This engine is known as a semi-diesel engine due to its method of operation." PO Duggan explains. "It starts the internal combustion process by the use of kerosene burners to heat the 'hot bulb' or 'vaporizer', mounted on the cylinder head, into which fuel is sprayed, this bulb is connected to the cylinder by a narrow passage called the 'hot tube'. "The kerosene is pressured and mixed with air so the burner acts as a heating torch, which raises the temperature of the hot bulb and hot tube until the iron is red hot. The fuel is ig- nited by coming into contact with a red-hot metal surface inside a bulb (also known as hot- plate ignition), followed by the introduction of air (oxygen) compressed by the rising piston. "Vigorous ignition takes place only when sufficient oxygen is supplied to the hot-bulb chamber on the compression stroke of the engine. The engine is started by compressed air supplied at 150-170lbs per sq inch, which is directed into the cylinders, while a sprayer (injec- tor) is used to introduce diesel fuel into the chamber once the engine is rotating via its own cam operated pumps." Once combustion is achieved the engine will run with great reliability as long as fuel is contin- uously supplied. Most hot-bulb engines were produced as one-cylinder, low-speed, two-stroke crankcase, scavenged units; while this Vickers Petters Model VE2 is a two-cylinder configuration. Of course, getting the engine back into running condition took a huge effort and no small amount of skill. The engine had seized, parts were missing and others were broken. PO Duggan introduced many TT/ERAs and mechanicians to the VE2 for practical instruction, learning valuable lessons in engineering skills and the importance of respecting heritage. The various classes tackled all the jobs required. They helped strip the engine down, cleaned back years of grime and even fabricated guardrails for around the massive ex- posed flywheel. All the while the classes where learning about the mystery of the two- stroke cycle. The project is a major success and the noise of this museum piece must be appreciated at close quarters for full effect. A traditionalist when it comes to restoration PO Duggan feels that "the original surface finishes and patinas should be left in place whenever they need not be removed for engineering purposes". A special oil is all that is applied to the exterior parts to make the brass and copper shine brightly against the dark cast surfaces. The OIC TTS is very proud of PO Duggan's personal achievements in this project and is grateful to his team members PO/ERA Dave O'Hara and the technical training classes for their hard work and dedication. Paul Evans and his wife travelled to Haulbowline in February 2017 to view this master- piece. They were amazed at its condition and reiterated its historical importance. The Internal Fire Museum has had considerable queries regarding this engine since their visit and even suggested a new project! The TTS were very grateful for their visit and a token of appreciation was presented to them. PO Duggan hopes "that many more generations of ERAs will come in contact with this old workhorse and develop their knowledge while receiving an appreciation for the skills of those who will have worked here in the past". Let us also hope that the VE2 is kept running and that the facility around it continues to improve, so that future generations of sailors can help maintain a rare piece of living history. PO/ERA Alan Duggan presents Paul Evans from the Internal Fire Museum in North Wales with a token of their appreciation, pictured with CPO/ERA Brian Attridge.

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