Hi PD's........Alistair........"
moteurs hydro-électriques'..... motors hydro-electric motors', in other words diesel-hydraulic"

.....there is one element missing in the translation....

....that is the electrons
There are various combinations or possibilities here
1. low voltage electric motors driving hydraulic pumps in a closed loop with hydraulic motors to the paddle wheels

2. diesel engines driving hydraulic pumps in a closed loop with hydraulic motors to the paddle wheels .....

....sounds plausible but where are the electrons?
3. diesel engines driving hydraulic pumps in a closed loop with geared electric motors to the paddle wheels .....
I give up........possibly.... the original French text
'moteurs hydro-électriques'..........is incorrect.........Derek
