The result is that for the first time since Turbinia's retirement in 1907, it is possible to experience how it would have handled and appeared to other ships as it sailed into Tynemouth or any other port held as a geographical database within the simulator system.

The story of the Simulation Department's involvement with Turbinia goes back six years to a conference organised by the Institute of Marine Engineers to celebrate the centenary of the Spithead Naval Review where Turbinia made her debut.

As part of the conference, Keith Hutchinson and Graham Mackie of Armstrong Technology (now Babcock) carried out in-depth technical analysis of Turbinia. Their report contained both existing and new data covering the dimensions, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic properties of Turbinia which could be used to predict how the vessel would respond to rudder, engine and environmental factors.

On the organising committee of the conference was Eddie Kirton, who was assisting with mathematical modelling at the College's recently established Simulation Department.

Realising the new data could help him produce a realistic model, he set about achieving it.

Turbinia revolutionised ship propulsion with a design which led to greatly improved speeds for warships and passenger liners such as the famous Lusitania and Mauretania . Measuring 103ft 9in long and only 9ft wide, Turbinia and the engines which powered it were the creations of engineer Charles Algernon Parsons. The steam turbines drove three shafts, each of which had three propellers.

The uniqueness of the vessel posed one of the biggest challenges facing Eddie Kirton and the Simulation Department team. The simulated visual image of Turbinia includes graphics and effects which are much more realistic than the conventional ship models used for training.

From the bridge and conning position, pilots can see the sides of Turbinia's conning tower with its riveted portholes while ahead, the railed bow appears just as it would have done a century ago.

The noise of the turbine engine and the trail of smoke from the burning coal used to generate steam have also been simulated.

The Turbinia model has been a novel project that has delivered serious benefits. Exploring the limits of software outside its normal application has aided the simulation of modern day ships used to train many mariners.

The South Tyneside College simulator is not open to the general public but there are plans for a small scale version of the Turbinia simulation to be introduced this year alongside the original vessel, which is on show at Newcastle's Discovery Museum.

MJInformation No: 19019