Sailed on three, fore, five and six cylinder Doxford's. They were an engine and a half alright and the timing chain weighed about two tons and was a complete pig to get in. The air start system at 600 psi was a fatality on several ships and you had to make sure that no oil got into the air start system. They had their querks but were a pig to maintain.
Doxfords continued building until 1982. I believe that the demise of the Doxford was not so much due to the competition but down to the lack of investment and the decision not to issue build licences to overseas engineering companies (especially Germany and Japan). Note that all the engines (except 3)built after 1965 (the intro of the 'J' type) were built by Doxfords. The other factor was nationalisation of the British shipbuilding industry.
Doxfords went into decline with the advent of the SulzerRD engine in the late fifties. They were a great engine IN THEIR day but events overtook them and they stuck with the opposed piston concept which was also abandoned by B&W.What shipowner in his right mind would buy an engine with twice as much running gear as a Sulzer or (somewhat later) a B&W!!!!! I enjoyed my time on them,but give me a Sulzer any day of the week,far better made and all spares wherever obtained would fit!!!!!
yeh brings back great memories been lookin for an old dox for ages agree with alastair though dont get the numbers mebe its for the ginger beers that cant remember if they are fore or aft thanks mate(anymore)bobby(Glasgow)
Only ever sailed with the four cyl version of this on ore carriers across the N.A. I'm glad I had four years with them but have to say give me a modern B&W at my age now....
Great to see a Doxford in action after all these years. Mind you, I am going to take points off for those horrible large numbers on the guards. I just cannot understand why anyone would feel the need for them.
Sailed on three, fore, five and six cylinder Doxford's. They were an engine and a half alright and the timing chain weighed about two tons and was a complete pig to get in. The air start system at 600 psi was a fatality on several ships and you had to make sure that no oil got into the air start system. They had their querks but were a pig to maintain.
Fullsearevs 7 months ago
reminds me of all the Palm Line ships I sailed on as an engineer officer.
Last sea going ship was Akassa Palm but she was an MAN seven cylinder.
Fullsearevs 7 months ago
reminds me of all the Palm Line ships I sailed on as an engineer officer.
Fullsearevs 7 months ago
Poetry in motion
Snikers777105 10 months ago
A Maintainers nightmare!
Thank god for Sulzers.
ozzirt 1 year ago
nostalgism to the Nth degree.
Now I can show my children what my job was
Last voyage S2E MV Port Wellington 1971
simick10 3 years ago
Doxfords continued building until 1982. I believe that the demise of the Doxford was not so much due to the competition but down to the lack of investment and the decision not to issue build licences to overseas engineering companies (especially Germany and Japan). Note that all the engines (except 3)built after 1965 (the intro of the 'J' type) were built by Doxfords. The other factor was nationalisation of the British shipbuilding industry.
russellkeb 4 years ago
Doxfords went into decline with the advent of the SulzerRD engine in the late fifties. They were a great engine IN THEIR day but events overtook them and they stuck with the opposed piston concept which was also abandoned by B&W.What shipowner in his right mind would buy an engine with twice as much running gear as a Sulzer or (somewhat later) a B&W!!!!! I enjoyed my time on them,but give me a Sulzer any day of the week,far better made and all spares wherever obtained would fit!!!!!
shabaniboy 4 years ago
@shabaniboy
B&W have never made opposed engine ?
kennjohnsen 4 months ago
yeh brings back great memories been lookin for an old dox for ages agree with alastair though dont get the numbers mebe its for the ginger beers that cant remember if they are fore or aft thanks mate(anymore)bobby(Glasgow)
bobby388 4 years ago
Only ever sailed with the four cyl version of this on ore carriers across the N.A. I'm glad I had four years with them but have to say give me a modern B&W at my age now....
r887661 4 years ago
Great to see a Doxford in action after all these years. Mind you, I am going to take points off for those horrible large numbers on the guards. I just cannot understand why anyone would feel the need for them.
Thanks Robchas21 you have made my day
alastairrussell2 4 years ago