Just got back from San Diego, where my friend found a nice little nautical keychain that she knew I “must” purchase…but we don’t know what it’s called. It’s a round metal replica of something on a ship used to control the speeds: Full, half, slow, stand by, stop, etc., with a piece that can be moved over each of these.
So what is the actual name of this device? Is it still in use on any ships?I know exactly the thingamajig you mean, but I have no clue what it’s called. “Engine controls”?
http://www.freethewriter.com/cgi-bin/story2.pl?The%20Light%20of%20Hope%20-%20Chapter%206
“Engine room indicators”?
http://uncommonjourneys.com/pages/library/express7.htm
The ship’s telegraph.
Ship’s telegraph key chain (scroll down about half way)
They are more commonly known as “engine order telegraphs”. It is still used on ships, however they don’t look like they used to. Used to be, the bridge would order a speed on the telegraph, which would be repeated on a E-O-T in engineering. The engineers would then acknowledge the command, and effect the speed change. The bridge didn’t actually control the engines. Nowadays, the bridge has immediate control of the ships propulsion, and the E-O-Ts you see today are more electronic, and used for emergency procedures such as loss of pilot house control.
Thank you, everyone! Not knowing was gonna drive me crazy. Thanks to Rhythmdvl for the keychain link. The third from the left–yep, that’s the one.
–Happier now,
Viva
Oops, make that third from the right. I guess I should get a compass too.