The first compound engine believed to have been installed in a ship was that fitted to Henry Eckford by the American engineer James P. Allaire in 1824. However, many sources attribute the "invention" of the marine compound engine to Glasgow's John Elder in the 1850s.

What was the first ship with an engine?

Selandia, the first motor ship in the world which was launched in the year 1912, is testimony to this statement as it completes a century of existence in the maritime domain. In the present times, utilization of diesel in motor vehicles and ships is a routine affair and of exceptional importance.

When did ships start using engines?

The first advanced mechanical means of marine propulsion was the marine steam engine, introduced in the early 19th century. During the 20th century it was replaced by two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines, outboard motors, and gas turbine engines on faster ships.