THE first diesel engine was fitted into a commercial ship 100 years ago, according to the engine company MAN B&W.
A report in the company's Diesel News publication states that the first diesel engines were too heavy for use aboard vessels. Also, they lacked power, reliability and were difficult to operate.
However in 1903 - when coal-burning steam ships were the norm - the first marine diesel engines were fitted to the Russian transport vessel Vandal and the French canal boat Petit Pierre.
MAN
