The Marine Division of Hydraulics & Pneumatics was formed in 1958 to cater for the special requirements of the marine industry, based on Turners' expertise in hydraulic control systems. Electric and pneumatic actuators were not generally acceptable for use in cargo ships because of safety fears. Electrically operated systems could produce sparking and pneumatically operated systems could produce static electricity, over the extremely long distances involved for remote valve operation.

Hydraulics on the other hand were seen as 'intrinsically safe' and ideal for use with crude oil or other volatile liquids. Oil tankers and other liquid carrying ships consist of a series of tanks in the port, centre and starboard sections of the vessel and the cargo has to be suitably pumped and distributed throughout the tanks.

H & P developed a series of deepwell pumps, wedge gate valves, and bulkhead transfer valves, which together with the standard 'Fullway' valves could be used to fully control cargo oil handling. Hydraulic power units were developed with stand-by accumulators, and full control panels were produced, with indicators, so that the operator in the control room knew exactly what was going on.

The 'Ullamatic' tank gauging system was also produced so that the operator could immediately see the level of the cargo in each tank.

Some of the components developed for use in the cargo handling system:
On the left is an H & P wedge gate valve with hydraulic actuator, and on the right is a diagram showing a section through a deepwell pump.
On the left is an H & P Model 903V hydraulic power unit, and on the right is a nitrogen charged emergency accumulator.
On the left is a bulkhead transfer valve with hydraulic actuator, and on the right is a diagram showing the construction of a wedge gate valve.

Control Panels:
An 'Eductor' control panel which controlled the valves for tank stripping.
A cargo pump control panel from where all of the cargo and ballast pumps were controlled, either manually or automatically. Vacuum and pressure gauges for each pump are situated at the top of each panel section, with each door section housing the controls for one pump. In the centre is an alarm panel which gave a visual and audible alarm if a fault occurred. The hydraulic power unit controls and line pressure gauge are in the centre at the bottom.
A 'Teledep' gauge panel which has gauges to provide an accurate tank contents measurement.


A cargo valve loading console giving full indication of the state of loading of the vessel.

H & P Marine supplied a complete package to ship builders and operators. They had experienced project engineers who offered a consultation service, they custom designed systems using their well tested and reliable components, and provided a complete installation and commissioning service. A booklet was produced in the early 1970s which lists about 160 installations on some of the world's largest tankers and bulk carriers, that were built in many countries.


The British Admiral.

 The British Admiral was built by Vickers and launched in 1965. At the time it was the largest tanker built in Europe.

Its remote cargo handling system was designed, manufactured and installed by Hydraulics & Pneumatics.
The lower platform hydraulically operated wedge gate valves that were installed in the British Admiral's pump room.
The loading console in the British Admiral's control room.
The pump room and deck valve control cubicles that were installed in the British Admiral's control room.
H & P valves in the cargo discharge crossovers on the deck of the British Admiral.

I would like to thank Derek Beddows for his help in producing this section.
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