Double Expansion Marine Steam Engine

This engine is a double expansion marine steam engine with an output of 97 horsepower. It had been used on board the small wooden steam ship ‘Tachibana-Maru’ (22 tons) built in 1911 as its main engine.

The multiple expansions reciprocating steam engine was developed in the latter half of the 19th century to deal with the trend of a larger output of ships and it played an active part until the middle of the 20th century when steam turbine engines stole the spotlight.

The engine shown here is preserved as a steam engine that can still be operated. It also has significant social meaning in society, as it has been used for governmental duties and education of ship engineers.