WANTED ON VOYAGE: British India’s M/v DOMALA & DUMANA of 1921-23
 

I have published my latest monograph on “Wanted on Voyage:

https://wantedonthevoyage.blogspot.c...mv-dumana.html

This details two bona fide but overlooked pioneers in the development of the Motor Ship: the two first ever motor-driven passenger liners built as such. Developments of the largest and arguably most successful class of British passenger-cargo ships ever… the “M Class”… they served on both BI’s “Home Lines” to/from India and had very eventful war careers, the bombing of DOMALA in the English Channel was the first aerial attack on a merchantman at sea.

Not great successes mechanically (and it not being until the “C” class of 1942 onwards that BI returned to diesels for their commercial ships), DOMALA and DUMANA were still important vessels and a century later deserving of appreciation.

Peter Kohler

It is amazing how the Diesel engine power increased, almost exponentially! 4,000 i.h.p.! Phuff! And from twin engines! Even though they were the "first Diesel engined passenger liners built", Alfred Holt was always a pathfinder and trendsetter, he being, first and foremost, a Marine Engineer, seeing the potential of the Diesel engine and oil burners..............!

Good article and enjoyable, Peter. Thank you for sharing!

Rgds.
Dave