<P> Titanic was equipped with three main engines -- two reciprocating four - cylinder , triple - expansion steam engines and one centrally placed low - pressure Parsons turbine -- each driving a propeller . The two reciprocating engines had a combined output of 30,000 hp and a further 16,000 hp was contributed by the turbine . The White Star Line had used the same combination of engines on an earlier liner , the SS Laurentic , where it had been a great success . It provided a good combination of performance and speed ; reciprocating engines by themselves were not powerful enough to propel an Olympic - class liner at the desired speeds , while turbines were sufficiently powerful but caused uncomfortable vibrations , a problem that affected the all - turbine Cunard liners Lusitania and Mauretania . By combining reciprocating engines with a turbine , fuel usage could be reduced and motive power increased , while using the same amount of steam . </P>
<P> Titanic was equipped with three main engines -- two reciprocating four - cylinder , triple - expansion steam engines and one centrally placed low - pressure Parsons turbine -- each driving a propeller . The two reciprocating engines had a combined output of 30,000 hp and a further 16,000 hp was contributed by the turbine . The White Star Line had used the same combination of engines on an earlier liner , the SS Laurentic , where it had been a great success . It provided a good combination of performance and speed ; reciprocating engines by themselves were not powerful enough to propel an Olympic - class liner at the desired speeds , while turbines were sufficiently powerful but caused uncomfortable vibrations , a problem that affected the all - turbine Cunard liners Lusitania and Mauretania . By combining reciprocating engines with a turbine , fuel usage could be reduced and motive power increased , while using the same amount of steam . </P>
what type of engine did the titanic have
what type of engine did the titanic have
two reciprocating four - cylinder , triple - expansion steam engines and one centrally placed low - pressure Parsons turbine
two reciprocating four - cylinder , triple - expansion steam engines and one centrally placed low - pressure Parsons turbine