British Polar Engine Start Up

www.mtkent.org.uk/
Motor Tug KENT Main Engine start up.
Engine type British Polar M45M
Also 2 x Lister JP2 Generators starting up.

[@nate4745]

All that shined up copper and brass, that clean white paint and that clean, shiny green paint. You can tell that this is a proud bunch of guys.

[@jaws2858]

Music. Really, really loud music standing there. I just love these fabulous machines.

[@eltonblackley313]

Congratulations on restoring the tug.She looks awesome . Sailed on a few ships where the BP was used to power the Generator sets.Had a few scavenge fires with them . Also sailed on Stephenson Clarkes Pulborough which had a BP as a main engine.

[@fjs1111]

Wow!! I don't think I've ever seen so much mechanical beauty. That old engine is huge, the injector lines are massive. So cool thank you for sharing this 🙂

[@johnsmall7620]

Nice to see the old girl still going. I used to drive that engine when I was second engineer with Caledonian towage when she was based in Invergordon, along with her big sisters the Kenley and the Kestrel. Had 1 or 2 hairy moments on her when she was up in Scapa flow Orkney.

[@robertgift]

What were your "hairy moments"?

[@georgeboyd9917]

Ha it made me smile to see all those people in the engine room starting her up, in the mid 1980s I used to have to go aboard her in the winter in the dark and cold and get her running on my own, but that was how it was in those days,and as for the comments on the port side radiator cooled set that was the only heating that we had in the winter,and we kept the after cabin hatch open in the summer to get a supply of cool air to it.

[@eifionjones559]

they must all trip over themselves

[@sniperfox88]

A few years ago, I had worked on a tug owned by Purvis Marine in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario named the "Avenger IV". The Avenger IV was built by Cochrane and Sons of Selby, England for William Watkins Ltd. and has been owned by the Elliot Steam Tug Co. and the Alexandra Towing Co. She has worked on the coast of Europe and Great Britain and also the Thames River. She was purchased by Purvis Marine Ltd. in 1985 and was sailed to Canada during the fall and early winter of the same year. She has a 9 cyl. British Polar engine just like the one in the video and is still used today to transport steel products all over the Great Lakes by barge. I always slept well when we were underway...to the sound of the old Polar! Miss her terribly!

[@paulacton7595]

Chris McKeachnie I was an apprentice draughtsman at Cochranes in the 1970s . We were still using British Polar engines in some applications. Cochranes turned out some superb vessels of all kinds until the place closed in 1992. It was situated in a dump of a town called Selby about 15 miles from York. I remember as an apprentice, being told to throw out all the drawings of ships before a certain date. I suspect the Avenger drawings would have been among them. The ships were launched sideways into the river Ouse, which ran into the Humber.

[@sniperfox88]

@@paulacton7595 Thanks for that information! It's a shame her drawings may have been discarded!

[@gliderp]

That's not just an engine, it's a piece of art. Fantastic.

[@loloaqici82qb4ipp]

There must be many thousands of hours of loving restoration gone into this tug. Congratulations on your fine work

[@gyuill2516]

George Yuill. Served my apprenticeship at British Polar Engines. Many years ago. Keep it running Well done

[@diegoalejandro64]

that engine room is spotless really clean.

[@lauriefielder8762]

Great to see this beautifully restored tug and engine.My memories are not so good about Polar engines on one ship the polar 9 cylinder engines were on the generators . Had a tendency to lose the scavenge piston then runaway. Quick run on to the platform to slow it down and stop. Used to upset the deck crew when working cargo with winches to suddenly lose power !

[@bristolfashion4421]

History, dudes - pure history! Well Done, All Concerned. Fabulous Acheivement.

[@bongmerced5842]

These polar medium speed engine should go to maritime museum , where the start of industrial revolution from steam to diesel feed engines .

[@dingledooley9283]

There is obviously a bit of pride taken in keeping the brass bright on this wee ship, thank you.

[@timmayer8723]

There is something majestic about the mass and sound of a big engine loping along. Much like an aged relative being cared for by devoted family members here every need is seen to in a timely and proper manner.

[@timmayer8723]

Carlos Garcia- your English is a lot better than my Spanish.

[@garciavelert]

i m chief engineer from Spain i see the picture is very intereting for my the engine room the tug is old bat very beatifully and it perfect conditions for the working thanks brothers seamen . Excusme for my englis is not good

[@lagaleria-feelgoodmusic3087]

Hey Carlos, I love the sound of old (slow turning) engines and in my ship I have an engine that I even used as a musical instrument. Check out the videoclip "Ship's engine song" on my channel and you'll know what I mean. As a chief engineer you might love this.

[@peterforden5917]

Mr Garcia its better than my Spanish :)

[@timmayer8723]

Carlos García your English is a lot better than my Spanish, have a good day.

[@bassmith448bassist5]

No worries mate!!!! We understand you!!!! Cheers!!!!!

[@nomon95]

a typical low speed engine.but i like the copper pipe curves,in excellent conditions!! all the rest, very clean.

[@rogerpacific8824]

Love the sounds.it brings back memories. Collenberg engine in a tug. Run the pony moter to charge up the air tank. Then let the air start the engine. Just love it. thanks for posting this video. A+ my man...

[@my7Cs]

Good to see matey. I didnt realise the Kent was that deep.. we share same marina! There was an old Sun tug Vanquisher that ran a polar shade bigger than this suspect.. nice resto.

[@pal05pmajor3]

Ever since I saw you in photon's vid about this engine I was really looking forward to hearing her run. She sounds lovely. Thanks for uploading, it's a very nice video. I am fasinated by this sort of thing.

[@sixmagpies]

What a credit this machinery space is to the guys. Congratulations.

[@pmusman]

In these times it's great to see anything British starting up instead of crumbling down

[@stevecrouse4984]

I'm US and I remind people here how British Ind. design led for 100 years or more 'Deltec Diesel a good example' and now we follow others (China, Japan etc.) in industry and lead only in com/tel/teck. marketing and ( litigation, a new science)

[@PolarM45M]

Thanks dave its was music to my ears when her 2 stroke diesel fired for the first time in years regards paul.

[@timclark1020]

Beautiful boat and the power plant is gorgeous!!!

[@yamahonkawazuki]

mr hunt. you all did an amazing job with her. shes perfect looking. cheers, Aaron

[@PolarM45M]

thank you nice to here good comments

[@localcrew]

That is a beautiful piece of machinery. It looks great from every angle. Great restoration.

[@andrewallen9993]

Ahhh Built in the days when British naval engineering was the best in the world.

[@MervynPartin]

Agreed, but British Polar engines were, I believe, built under licence from Nohab Polar (of Sweden?). It certainly looks in nice condition.

[@cattywampusjake9973]

It just makes me smile nice work men

[@cliftondean4333]

This was filmed seven years ago, and I hope that the videographer has learned to slow down the panning. Not only does it cause the viewer some dizziness but it makes it impossible to determine what structure is being seen. As this is an entertaining, educational, and historical video about a clean and well maintained older vessel, and it generally covers its subject well (starting the marine engine) I hope my criticism is taken as intended; that is, to improve similar future videos.

[@Shane-Singleton]

What a big beautiful beast of an engine!

[@hellsbaby127]

I love these proper engines, I have an old Kelvin T8 that I hope to get running again, what worries me is that if I'm sat at anchor, and it starts to drag, how quick can we get the engines up and running to sort it out? I have to go down the hatch to start the engine which at least means it's checked before anyone tries to start it, oil is primed, sea cock turned on etc. Yes we check our weather and anchor in a suitable place but shoot happens!

[@culex44]

gaselee tugs were mostly polar engines along with knights tugs, tayra and rana had same 5 cyl polar rated at 700hp or around that mark from ex gaselee engineer the good old days nice to hear that sound again

[@culex44]

hi paul, thanks for your reply yes I do recall barney, other names that I know where bert keen,(rana) jack coborough(tayra) sam wellar (culex) George coward (mamba) he must have known the skippers alec rickets and his dad also the miller brothers skippers of (aboma naja) ect etc most of them gone but not forgotten my best den

[@KamAbbott]

Just spectacular. Now on my bucket list of things to see in the UK :-)

[@phils4634]

Excellent restoration - a "hardware enthusiast's" idea of heaven (even down to the polished injection lines!). Filmed by "The Crazy from Dartford" - Mr Photon himself (I'm surprised he hasn't "popped it!") :-D

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Just Fabulous. Well done you guys.

[@rickeymitchell8620]

Brilliant job gentlemen! She is a fine example.

[@Rainhill1829]

Question. Since the main engine is direct drive, was it easy to go astern from ahead at a decent speed? Was the air start system able to overcome the force of the water flowing over the propeller at speed in order to change engine direction? Magnificent restoration by the by.

[@udayanpaul8042]

No problems for a direct drive, but to transit from ahead to astern or vice versa, you need to get to dead slow speed then astern / ahead, to reduce wear and tear.

[@SteamCrane]

I couldn't sleep. All better now!

[@PolarM45M]

a tug must have a good bollard pull by putting a line from the tug to the dockside you can get a reading of how hard it can pull and now there are so many engines you have gearboxes , new propulsion systems the lot regards paul

[@TachiTekmo]

God, that's beautiful!

[@zmxl1020]

True dedication to quality and pride in workmanship! Tally Ho!

[@mxylpx]

Beautiful and restful white noise...thanks.

[@jp-um2fr]

It would be really nice to know just what needed doing to that superb engine during it's overhaul. I have a feeling the old lady didn't need a great deal. Rather like a monstrous Lister. I'm sure it will still be around when us mere mortals are dust.

[@SAGERODS250REM]

Great video, what a beautiful engine thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@gr1mrea9er82]

Nice clip. Amazing work on the engine restoration.

[@FedericoCentola]

Congratulations for restoring.

[@PolarM45M]

yes that is right there are some nice old tugs about i do like the elbe and know the man that helps running the tug

[@timmayer8723]

Diesel powers our computer generation. This is the finest white noise generator of all.

[@fredal2264]

Absolutely beautifully done congrats.

[@crankbv1]

Do old tugs like the Kent still earn their living as occasional tug boats?

[@carlosturren2683]

Formidable motor.

[@PolarM45M]

Aftershock2013 the main engine is the only one with a propeller and its 7ft in diameter if you want to try it your more that welcome by the way its direct drive so you would be turning that over as well .

[@lesliekirwan6583]

paul hunt

[@MrJujitsu62]

Pretty cool !! Nice job boys , impressive !

[@SteamboatWilley]

Rare to see a 2-stroke in a tugboat. Does it have a reversing gearbox, or is it a direct reversing engine?

[@PolarM45M]

direct reversing engine . many tugs used them after steam on the river thames and medway an other rivers in the uk .

[@douro20]

If the engine was a British design, it probably wouldn't had been 2-stroke. These are licence-built NoHAB engines.

[@mchapo]

douro20, I think you will find this is a British Polar 2-stroke engine. If you look at the cylinder heads there is no rocker gear. This means that the combustion gasses are delivered and disposed of by loop scavenging.

[@SteamboatWilley]

Mark Chapman douro20 is right, The British Polar 2-stroke was licence built from a NoHab design.

[@PolarM45M]

Direct reversing

[@Atsaki13]

Fantastic bit of kit there. How old is that engine setup? Looks like its had a lot of TLC to get it looking so new. Pristine.

[@PolarM45M]

yes tugs have allways had that but the tugs today well need i say more but for an old girl she still packs a punch .

[@jackallison7540]

A wonderful bit of work. I would love to crew on that tug.

[@fardreaming]

Is the torque figure considered as important as the BHP in a marine engine like this one?

[@PolarM45M]

thanks very much for your comment sixmagpies regards paul

[@PolarM45M]

@Atsaki13 the tug was built in 1948 for jp knght towing co.

[@robertgift]

What starts the generators? What do the generators do?

[@johnhili8664]

Yes very strange to have a radiator cooled generator in an engine room after a couple of hours working the engine room will be a furnace. It is not normal practice!!

[@reggierico]

Beautiful engine and engine room! What is the vintage/age of this engine and tug?

[@wavydavy4138]

1948 jeff heres a link to website.www.mtkent.org.uk/

[@derekspender1303]

Is it a two stroke? If so, how is it scavenged. I caught a glimpse of what might have been a turbo casing.

[@PolarM45M]

No turbo !!Air scavenging cross flow

[@SteamboatWilley]

Just noticed that the auxiliary engine is radiator-cooled. Quite unusual on a ship.

[@aaronmiller112]

if it's photon's camera, where are the 2 purple spots!!! What is a funnel bung anyway?

[@tomcline5631]

Pretty sure the funnel bung is a plug or stopper that seals the smoke stack(funnel) to the outside. Keeps rain,snow or even critters from coming down the exhaust. Either that or it's the boats butthole.

[@appraised7090]

Beautiful machine.

[@robertsmart7005]

That same configuration of engine they use today ! Reliable ?

[@speedmachine69]

really great camera work........ much appreciated.!\

[@TwoWholeWorms]

Marine engine are on a whole other level to land ones. "Good day, good Sir, would you perchance have designs for a motorised device capable of propelling a building?"

[@khadijagwen]

Sorry, did they ever get it to run?

[@bobsmart2110]

and being a 5pot two stroke the engine is balanced at speed ? which I don't think is much more than 250rpm

[@paulsharp6559]

Great job.

[@ricksadler797]

Nice tug thank you for the video 😎👏

[@ebriheemalamrani9000]

Very nice thank you my Deer ❤️😎

[@james5553]

What happened to Photon? Is he ok?

[@brushbros]

Do you hear a choir sing when the thing starts up? I do. Thanks

[@ostlandr]

When I was a little kid, that was the job I dreamed about- be the engineer on a ship.

[@bobl78]

are the engines pre-heated somehow ?

[@PolarM45M]

No not at all just air started

[@gr1mrea9er82]

+bobl78 A small electric compressor suck in air to the external starter air tanks, wich are filled with pressurized air. The compressed air blows bursts of air into a vertical cylinder, with a giant flywheel on top, that acts as a mechanical air starter, In front of the main air pisotn is a smaller double piston setup, connected to the crank. Correct me if im wrong, Paul.

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

Those older Diesel engines sounded lik e a real diesel should noise - noise and power to Spain

[@PolarM45M]

cheers its hard work but in then its worth it regards paul

[@TwoWholeWorms]

5:32 Mug of tea, naturally. :p

[@Bata.andrei]

The generators look like Lister engines, am I right?

[@adwest68]

Yep

[@JN.0_o]

Wait a minute... Polar? The penny just dropped. :)

[@hellsbaby127]

Out of interest does the two stroke diesel have a supercharger?

[@alchilds3710]

any two stroke diesel has to have compressed air intake, therefore either a super charger or turbo is needed.

[@eifionjones559]

@@alchilds3710 scavange pump

[@aletius]

What camera was used to film this?

[@ElectronPower]

Nice engine :)

[@bruceburns1672]

Is this engine made in Britain from the past ???????

[@fardreaming]

And a rather large amount of torque I imagine?

[@TNFSDK]

Whats with the air to start it?

[@arnoldstollar5375]

Great film.

[@aftershock2013]

Shouldn't someone spin the propeller manually while the other person is cranking it?

[@stanleycarter6275]

And how would you go about that without losing any limbs

[@aftershock2013]

I Thought there was some sort of device for doing it :P

[@aftershock2013]

OK... That's a fair point, I May have had a rush of shit to the brain xD

[@robertsmart7005]

They would run forever those two stroke polars not by today's standards eco frendly but none of them was back then

[@robertsmart7005]

@FooBar Maximus a two stroke deisel was not very freindly to yhe air ?none of yhe engines built then was ???

[@casspirmk6338]

Britons and germans always made stuff highly complicated. Old MAN, Doxford....Curse of the seas. No wonder Sulzer and B&W took over. :)

[@garciavelert]

what horse power have it ?

[@PolarM45M]

She has a bhp of 880 not bad for a 1948 tug

[@garciavelert]

paul hunt sorry bad no , but thanks for your information

[@PolarM45M]

About 30 gallons an hour plus one generator is running as well for steering and lighting and fuel transfer

[@richardsfault1]

Bravo!

[@bogthing1]

Wonderful!

[@TheOriginalAndysGarage]

I can't tell what the hell is going on or what is running

[@VSTARMAN51]

Absolutely wonderful...I wish I was a member of your society...! Always loved old nautical motors...The interior of the KENT engine room shows so much loving attention to detail...(ie: 'FUNNEL BUNG IN/OUT' sign!!). So, what type of engine is the auxiliary that is started first? I also noted that it is radiator-cooled...very interesting! Here is a steam tug in Toronto that I would love to see restored to functionality. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Hanlan_%28tugboat%29 If you were in the United States - here is another historic tug that needs to be saved: www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/tale-twin-ports-man-boat-tug-heartstrings cheers! - B in Toronto

[@bengtdahlgren9733]

RockSteady Choir AA

[@jimschumacher6311]

this is a 5 cyl? is that what i'm seeing...

[@PolarM45M]

+Jim Schumacher yes you are correct Jim , two stroke diesel 5 cylinder British polar engine 880 BHP