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George Selman

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Where Are The Personnel Now
Forum Description: Tell everybody where those old buddies are
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=186
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 7:57pm


Topic: George Selman
Posted By: EarlB
Subject: George Selman
Date Posted: 01 August 2006 at 9:28am

When I joined Lister Blackstone Marine Co in 1962 their Naval Architect was non other than the late George Selman of British Power Boats. George became a good friend and mentor to me during my tenure with the company and taught me a lot about my own calling as a Marine Engineer as well as many other aspects of powered craft in general. He had a great deal of experience in his own field and there is little doubt that he was "the" authority on propellors in his time, his high speed propellor designs were the basis of many propellors in use to day. People like George and Peter Du Cane of Vospers made a great contribution to the outcome of WWII, something in my view that deserved considerably more recognition.



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Earl



Replies:
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 01 August 2006 at 10:20am

Hi EarlB

Apparently he even designed the props for the Queen Mary!

Genius.



Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 15 October 2006 at 4:01pm
EarlB

I am glad to hear that you benefitted from his kowledge ad experience.
He was quite unique in his approach to solving issues and the breadth of his background with different areas of naval architecture and shipbuilding.

Regarding recognitions:-

I believe that Peter Du Cane was honoured (I think that he was knighted).

George Selman was made and honourary fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and awarded their Medal for his lifelong contribution to naval architecture.

The Queen Mary's propellers were George Selman's design, as were  many other vessels and the Manganese Bronze Company's patented 'Scimitar' range of ship propellers. There was a lot of work done in fixing issues with propellers, cavitation and singing of many of the great liners of the day.





Posted By: cducane
Date Posted: 17 October 2006 at 12:22pm
My father, Peter Du Cane, was awarded the CBE in 1964 having originally been made an OBE in 1942. He was a fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, the Royal Society of Arts and many other learned Societies but not knighted. His successor at Vosper, John Rix, was indeed knighted in 1977

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crusade


Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 07 April 2007 at 6:54pm

Hello cducane, any idea what happened to the superb Tramontana my favourite offshore powerboat?



Posted By: cducane
Date Posted: 10 April 2007 at 10:17am
Tramontana 1 with the two CRMs (Isotta Fraschini 57 litre engines)was sold in 1962 initially to Agnelli and then on to Volpi. I believe she was sunk off Venice. Her replacement Tramontana 2 eventually had her four 3.8 Jaguar engines changed for Mercruisers last heard of in Majorca some years ago.

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crusade


Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 10 April 2007 at 10:26am
Thank you for your reply cducane, I will keep looking for her as she was my all time favourite powerboat and a joy to see in action  


Posted By: Willallison
Date Posted: 09 July 2007 at 1:57am

I saw Taramontana 1, lying derelict on the side of the road a few miles SSE of a small Italian town by the name of Anzio back in 1990.

It saddened me greatly to see such a famous beast - winner of the 1962 Cowes-Torquay - lying in such a state.

There are pics here, for anyone interested..

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?p=150604#post150604 - http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?p=150604#pos t150604



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Will


Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 09 July 2007 at 1:32pm
Well spotted it looks like the first "Tramontana". any thought,s  Mr cducane I wonder if she was refurbished, anybody visiting the Anzio beachhead in the near future?



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