Part 6/10:
The transition from steam to diesel propulsion in maritime history faced challenges. Early diesel installations sometimes underperformed or proved less reliable than steam engines. However, successful examples, such as the MS Candia, illustrated the potential of diesel technology. By the early 1920s, New Zealand’s Arangi became one of the first large diesel passenger ships, demonstrating remarkable operational efficiency and faster travel times.
Many naval constructs also transitioned to diesel power during World War II, particularly for submarines, which inherently struggled with the steam engine’s smoke and ventilation requirements.