Viktor Sirk, a technical officer of the Austrian Navy and a teacher of mechanics and machine engineering, explains the most important phenomena and tasks that occur during the operation and maintenance of ship steam boilers and machinery. He addresses the boilers and machines in terms of their inspection and preparation for sailing, operational disturbances and changes, decommissioning, as well as cleaning and preservation.

From the publication of his guide, Sirk hopes that marine engineers and machine operators, ship officers, and captains of steamships, as well as steamship companies, will find a welcome guide in this work for organizing and monitoring operations, as well as for the training and development of competent and reliable machine personnel.

Reprint of the original edition from 1875.