Dropped a Propeller Blade

[Augusto Félix Solari]

One question... To drop a propeller blade was such a common accident those days for an ocean liner?

How was that possible if the screws were massive structures?

 

[Brent Holt]

Many propellers were not cast solid, but instead had the blades bolted to a boss. This created an obvious weak point where the blades could sheer off due to several factors, including striking a submerged object.

 

[Augusto Félix Solari]

Thank you a lot, Brent! However, could you tell me which type of propeller was the most commong among ocean liners?

As far as I know, both four funnelled Cunarders and the Olympic Class liners had solid propellers.

 

[Samuel Halpern]

Augusto,

The Olympic class ships had a solid central propeller. The wing propellers had blades that were bolted onto the boss. This allowed the pitch of the blades to be changed when in drydock. I believe the Cunarders had similar propellers with blades that can be easily changed and/or adjusted in pitch.