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As you say, Tim, looking back with 20/20 hindsight, the biggest "failure" were maybe materials, tolerances and lube oils. I suppose IF a Doxford, B&W, Fullagar or even Junkers Weser were built today, they would probably be more successful.
Remember the change in cylinder lube oil to counter-affect acid rain during first manouevres, the discovery of anaerobic crankcase bacteria, etc. etc.
I looked at a MAN B&W generator set installed on a power barge in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. The cranshaft had sheared - The RCA found an inclusion had initiated the crack. The inclusion was below 2 microns which is the limit for detection. Even today, nothing is perfect! ........I never forget the Yanmars which were numbers 1 through 5 off the production line!.......Bit of a brown underpants job when taking the log.
Regards,
Dave
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