Use of electricity for heating

[steven p greiner]

Being a plumber the last 25 years, and to satisfy my own interest, I am trying to learn as much about the plumbing on the Titanic. Obviously modern sanitation was still in its infancy in 1912, as very few landlubbers even had indoor plumbing. I'm sure that a flushing water closet probably confused many a 3rd world steerage passenger, and chamber-pots were still acceptable. (okay, that is disgusting!) I am guessing that there was probably some type of heat exchanger and storage tank system that ran off a boiler for the hot water, and sewage was gravity fed out of the side of the ship. I have seen the name "Villeroy and Boch" on lavatories from the ship. The company still exists. They still make chinaware fixtures (extremely high-end) and are based in Germany. I have actually installed the stuff over the years. I don't really know about the faucets, tub/shower valves, etc. Does anyone have any input about the systems on the ship? Also, what about the heating systems? I have seen and heard all about those electric heaters in staterooms, but there must have been a central heating system, Probably a 1-pipe low pressure steam system with radiators, but I am just not sure. None of the literature I have ever seen delves into this part of the ship, but I'm sure the systems were pretty complex for their time.

 

[Robert T. Paige]

I've read somewhere (can't put my finger on it now) that the plumbing system for waste disposal on RMS Queen Mary was worked out using a scale model with glass pipes and various colored water for the sewage and waste water disposal.

 

[David F. Smith]

Hi Steven,

You are right. All the literature mentions is the Electric heaters. But in many photos you see these ventilation grilles near the floor and sometimes near the ceiling. I'm not sure if those are just to force in fresh air from those roof fans or if they conceal some type of central hot air system to heat the public rooms.

 

[Cliff W West]

In a ship as large as the Titanic there was probably a steam heat system of some kind that was used to heat the passenger areas. Hot water for the baths and kitchens was also heated by some kind of heat exchanger from the boilers.
Fresh water would have been in storage tanks.
In 1912 and up to the not to distant past sewage was just drained overboard. Trash and garbage was tossed overboard as well. These practices wouldn't make it in todays world.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>In a ship as large as the Titanic there was probably a steam heat system of some kind that was used to heat the passenger areas.<<

Actually, most if not all of the passenger accomadation had electric heaters. If you have a copy or reprint of The Shipbuilder Specials, you can read a bit more about them.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

Electric heaters in the cabins were a provision for 1st Class only, Mike.

 

[Jonathan Granato]

Where can I find a copy of the Shipbuilder article?

...

Olympic & Titanic : The Electrical Equipment

 

[Bob Godfrey]

The Shipbuilder special issue on the Olympic and Titanic, first published in 1911, has been reprinted at various times in book form. Not in print right now, but second-hand copies can generally be found from online dealers - try the Amazon marketplace. If it's the electric heaters you're interested in, more or less the same information can be found in this 1911 article from The Electrician (see bottom of page):

"The Electrician" 28 Jul 1911

 

[monica e. hall]

The things you know, Bob ....

Any joy on the on-board price of Woodbines yet?

 

[Michael Kitchens]

Titanic's heating system

Not sure if this has been answered or discussed already, but I'm curious:

Was Titanic's heating system a hot-water or steam system. I know that steam was used to power the engines, but wasn't sure if hot water was used for heating (as well as potable hot water service).

Thanks!

 

[Doug Criner]

First class cabins had electric heat. Most other spaces had more than enough heat due to heat transmitted from machinery spaces through bulkheads, by electric lighting, etc. Mechanical ventilation was provided. A reference is Titanic, The Ship Magnificent, Vol. 1, by Bruce Bevridge.

 

[Keith H]

I thought the electric heaters were provided as supplementary heating to boost the temp on exceptionally cold days in the north Atlantic.
Two other reasons to provide electric heaters would be
{1} to save installation cost of additional pipe work of of steam or water heating that would not be in use a great deal,
{2} if part of the normal heating circuit was out of action you had the electric heaters to move around to the affected part of the ship.