Always Has Been: Chapter 1: Impact of the Steam Turbine on Maritime Shipping (1904)

In 1904, the introduction of steam turbine engines, highlighted by the Turbinia, transformed the maritime industry by offering superior speed and efficiency over traditional reciprocating steam engines. This advancement rendered many coal-fired ships obsolete, prompting a decline in legacy shipbuilding orders and economic challenges for traditional shipbuilders. The transition necessitated retraining of the maritime workforce to manage new technologies, marking a significant adaptive period for the shipping industry.