Alexandru Ciurcu

Alexandru Ciurcu (29 January 1854, Şercaia –22 January 1922, Bucharest) was a Romanian inventor and publisher, known for his invention with the French journalist Just Buisson of a reaction engine. It used rocket propulsion and was briefly used to power a boat, demonstrated on 13 August 1886.[1] The two men envisioned that such motors would later be used for air travel.

The explosion of 16 December[2]

Alexandru Ciurcu

Engraving showing the second experimental vessel of Ciurcu

On 16 December 1886, during a test with a new second engine for the boat at Asnières, the engine exploded.[2] Just Buisson and an assistant at the helm were killed. Ciurcu survived by swimming ashore, but at first was accused of murder.

References

"Alexandru N. Ciurcu". Archived from the original on 12 February 2005.
"La catastrophe du 16 décembre 1886, à Asnières" [The catastrophe of 16 December 1886, at Asnières]. La Nature (in French). 16 December 1886. p. 75.

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[1] "Alexandru N. Ciurcu". Archived from the original on 12 February 2005.

[Nature-2] "La catastrophe du 16 décembre 1886, à Asnières" [The catastrophe of 16 December 1886, at Asnières]. La Nature (in French). 16 December 1886. p. 75.