 FACT: The reciprocating engines were controlled from a platform  between the two engines about midway between the floor and the top  of the cylinders, not from the engine room floor. Even if the  engines were controlled from the floor level the controls would have  been at the opposite end of the engines since we are looking at the  aft end of the engines, and the boiler rooms are forward of the  reciprocating engine room. Also, it would have been quite impossible  to see those engines from the vantage point we are given since the  watertight bulkhead between the reciprocating engine room and  turbine engine room would prevent us from being able to stand back  far enough.