Steering Gear Room

[Michael Gallagher]

Right aft on Seven Deck.

[skilly56]

The Steering Flat - this is a machinery space, so it has to have noise and people to get an idea of the size.
I have found some info that leads me to believe that the 4 steering rams and cylinders were renewed in 2007. The two steering motors certainly look new. The ram cylinders hold 350 litres of oil each, so the total system capacity must be at least 1,400 litres.

Forgot to add - the high pitched whining noise is from the hydraulic pumps (the note changes when the rudder moves), while the low pitch roaring noise is from the propellers almost directly underneath the Steering Flat

A ram cylinder end cover is located below the electric motor shown below.

Cheers
SkillySnr

[Rob Lightbody]

FANTASTIC stuff Micahael and Tony, thanks SO much!  

The video brings the photos to life.

[Bob C.]

Different ship, same sounds.  Its amazing how simliar the machinery and noises are.  The technology and engineering to move a big ship seems pretty standard.

[highlander0108]

Skilly, great video!  It is amazing to see how clean the space is for a 40 year old ship, but then again, it just proves that Cunard did keep up on the maintenance end of the ship.

[Rod]

I may be wrong...but I believe they steering gear is as fitted.

[jdl]

Brilliant pictures and as Rob states the video brings it all to life - not sure which part failed but I'm sure that steering was the reason for her delayed departure from Dubrovnik at the very end of her service life

Jdl