STEERING AND REVERSING GEAR FOR VERY LARGE WATERJETS

The factors tending to limit the size of the steering and reversing gear of conventional waterjet propulsors are briefly discussed. The principles of waterjet steering and reversing are reviewed briefly with reference to commercial examples. A hull- mounted steering and reversing gear concept is introduced. The new concept is described and discussed. It is concluded that some such arrangement as that described in the paper is highly desirable for waterjet propulsion of large ships. An upper limit of 75 mW per unit with no more than four units per ship is thought to be adequate for nearly all classes of ships.