A new century, a new sound. This was especially true in inland shipping around the turn of the century. In addition to the steam engine, the combustion engine proved its practical applicability. Around 1920, many owners of sailing ships switched to having a crude oil engine built into their ship.
These were often hot-bulb engines from well-known brands such as Kromhout (is power), Industrie, Bolnes and Deutz. Also widely used engines in inland shipping were the horizontal petroleum engine from Van Rennes and the Appingedammer Brons with the famous atomizer box.
Practice showed what the disadvantages of a converted sailing ship were. Usually part of the cargo hold had to be sacrificed for the installation of the engine. The shape of the stern also often turned out to be a handicap. To get the most out of an engine, an optimum water supply to the propeller must be guaranteed, which is rarely the case with fully built sailing ships.