The Ultimate Piece of Victorian Industrial History

This is an original wood engraving from 1869, the peak of Britain's Age of Innovation. Published in the "Engineering", the premier weekly technical journal of the Victorian era.

This architectural-grade schematic showcases the groundbreaking designs of Mr. Thomas Messinger of Dover. It features the intricate marriage of high-pressure steam technology and maritime elegance, providing a rare window into the mechanics that powered 19th-century luxury and industry. The drawings include detailed cutaways of fireboxes, water tube coils, and propulsion layouts.

Historical Significance

The plate illustrates an 18-foot steam launch alongside its internal high-pressure boiler system. During this period, the transition to "Water Tube" boilers was revolutionary, allowing for faster steam generation and safer operation—technology that defined the transition from heavy industrial use to sophisticated private yachting.

Product Details & Provenance

• Type: Genuine Period Engraving (Not a reproduction)

• Provenance: from the Engineering Journal, published in 1869

• Size: Approximately 10.75 inches x 15.5 inches (27 cm x 39.5 cm)

• Condition: Small tear at the top repaired with archival mending tissue. Otherwise in very good condition. With text en verso.