The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-29 00:00:00

THE KITNSTADTER SCREW:

The general adoption of the Kunstiidter-steering and
propelling screw in the United States Navy seems
very probable, the board of engineers appomted by
the secretary of the navy of the United States having
reported very favourably upon the action and effi-
ciency of the screw. The Kunstiidter system consists
of two screws placed one behind the other, and carried
in a peculiar joint-frame, which enables the axis of
the aft smaller screw to be deflected at an angle up
to 45 degrees to board or starboard. The rudder
used with this screw is small, the turning being
accomplished by the small screw. The shaft of this
screw is journalled in the rudder and connected with
the main screw shaft, which projects through the main
screw by a universal joint. Separate experiments were
made in the New York navy yard with the new screw
and the ordinary rudder independently. With the
rudder alone, and at an angle of 45deg. the vessel was
turned in a circle the diameter of which was 521ift.,
while, with the Kunstiidter screw, the turning was
done in a circle a trifle more than 314 ft. The time
occupied in turning in the two instances was directly
proportioned to the diameter of the respective circles
described. The rudder which was used was of exces-
sively large dimensions, and it is anticipated that, if
the action of the Kunstiidter apparatus were com-
pared in working with that of a rudder of ordinary
proportions, the screw would enable a vessel to turn
on a circle one-half the diameter that could be accom-
.plished with the rudder alone, going either ahead or
astern. Now, this ability of a steamer to turn in a
small circle, if opposed to vessels which take longer
time to turn, will be of immense importance in the
naval warfare of the future, and it would not be very
surprising if this novel steering apparatus were not
read:ly applied to their navies by all the Powers
having a pretension to naval supremacy. This
increased movability imparted to vessels would
enable a ship provided with the Kunstadter
screw, if not otherwise inferior, to speedily disable a
vessel provided only with the ordinary steering appa-
ratus. The screw would permit such a vessel to ram
her opponent, or to escape a thrust aimed at her, and
to generally choose the most favourable positions.
She would outmanceuvre the enemy. But this not
all. In line of battle, a fleet provided with Bunstadter
screws being more easily handled, would be able to
concentrate more closely, and thus annihilate the
enemy's fleet by a concentrated fire. The report to
which allusion has been made concludes with the fol-
lowing remarks: "We do not consider a vessel per-
fectly equipped for war which is only provided with
the rudder if the Kunstidter steering and propelling
screw could be applied. The greater safety arising
from greater movability is a sufficient reason for the
introduction of the apparatus in all steamers, war as
well as trading. Many collisions would thereby be
avoided; much time and anxiety saved in handling a ,
vessel in a narrow channel."

A Scotch boy had delivered a message to a lady,
but he did not seem in a hurry to go. Being asked
if there was anything else that his mother bade him
say, Jock whimpered out, "She said I want to seek
anything for comb', but, if ye gied me't, I was to
tak' it."

SATURDAY, AUG. 29, 1885: