Engine room telegraph

I have just seen a close up picture of an engine room telegraph on the net. Two or the commands are "Pump Over" and "Stop Pumping Over". Can anyone explain what they mean please?

Maurice

As a landlubber I would expect those to be commands for bilge pumping, in essence ON and OFF

Others may know better of course

Brian

Another landlubber contribution. Could it be pumping fuel from on thank to another to trim the ship or perhaps pumping liquid ballast again to trim the ship. All guesses!!!!

I look forward to the correct answer being posted here.

Martin

I think it is for the pump room of a bulk carrier or RFA tanker to either control liquid ballast pumping to compensate for cargo changes or shifting the cargo itself. Bilge pumping would more likely be controlled by the engineroom without instruction from the bridge when they noticed their feet getting wet.

Martin typed faster. If the image you found is the one from the Charles Beeghly then the puzzle is more why a lakes steamer would need to make smoke long after radar was invented.

Edited By Bazyle on 22/09/2018 19:44:11

I knew a Naval Officer who said he needed to 'Pump Ship' every time he headed for the bogs. I think he meant he had to see a man about a dog.

I guess pumping ship is a common operation, especially if she has a leaky bottom...

According the HMS Belfast, it was used to signal pumping fuel to another vessel.

My researches also showed it was on Belfast's telegraph.

Thanks for the replies gents. Pumping fuel makes sense. thanks again.

Maurice

Pump over was the EOT command to commence pumping from an auxiliary tanker or larger ship and was known as RAS, 'Refuelling At Sea'.