Steam jet

I heard once about a lifeboat propelled by a steam boiler whose steam output was piped straight out back high-pressure from a blast nozzle, and not driving a propeller through cylinders or a turbine. Have any of you heard of such a propulsion?

(I am NOT talking about the toy called a "pop-pop boat".)

Google search here scrapes up too much junk (steam jet cleaning, etc)

 

Yes, IIRC there were some attempts at that in the late 19th century after the development of the steam venturi pump. Comes up again every now and then, but like the Dyson bladeless fan, it looks technologically far more appealing than it is when you do the numbers.

Google "steam venturi propulsion" and wade through that. Should cut down considerably on the chaff.

 

steam venturi propulsion - Google Search https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&q=steam+venturi+propulsion&oq=steam+venturi+propulsion&gs_l=psy-ab.3...8755.10790.0.11132.2.2.0.0.0.0.91.154.2.2.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.3OS0MSrOwFw

Thanks. That search found some relevant results.