The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-11

~. "a. mr. No,or- ne weu ~ nr Lights
s,ar,ts. and Corunuuiention

signals, and Communicates.
w,sp,SoroS, Sept. 10. The decision in favor
Of the exuedlency Of employing electricity Ior
turning the turrets Of our war vessels now uhuer
construction and not too far advanced lot tno
substitution of this power in the place OF steHm'
IL interesting as another gain for the more NOV
ern motor. The possibility Of so doing has long
been understood. but the final result reached
seems TO have been due to the experiments made
at League Island Navy Yard on one Of the single
turret monitors, a relic of the civil war.
The question Of the placing OF the dynamos
on a naval vessel has also been carefully ttuoleu'
and IL Ia found that, taking into consideration
their security and that VI their engines from
injury. together with the least effect possible on
the compass and the hest distribution OF theu
power TO all parts OF the vessel, and, finally the
absence Of free steam and moisture, the dyna-
mo room should be beneath the water line, near
the centre Of the vessel, and near the boilers
The dynamos should not be in the same room
with steam or other machinery, as an accident
to the latter might disable them. IN merchant
steamers and In some foreign naval Nessels IVY
are placed IN the main cngine room. anu Nus
brings the machinery more together under the
same attendance; but on q war vessel mere Is
les, OppOrtunity for OvcrhaulinR an eleCtI,lc
plant after each trip. and hence care must be
taken that the insolatiOn OF the dynaInOs ana
conductors rsd i not 10 . 1 Msr sSin Il. "a , ITr'E TIE p ppsmt st
care must be exercised against the failure OF the
light at a critical moment A.
The introduction of an electrical plant as the
illuminating power of u modern war vessel has
long been familiar and habitnal In our navy, as
In the navies of foreign countries. The methods
Of installation and the character of the appa-
ratus have also been gradually improVed' Not
only ordinary illumination but search lights
and night signals have. Of course, been operated
by electricity, while the telephone can be used
on shiphoard and electrical appliances are also
available for revolution and helm INDICATORS
As TO search lights and signals. it Is evident
Ala IL. Nt-..1 - -,, - La FNn nnrf R6
with them has not been reached. some vessels
use n great Number of small search lights, ar
ranged to produce n zone around the vessel,
while others employ IA small number of large
lights, the latter plan being favored In our own
service as more ecpnomi,ai anu Gp on nasnr iina
might be best for smooth water, but as they are
also needed in heavy seas. they have to be
clear both OF the blast Of the heavy guns and OF
the secondary battery. II IS said that electrically
controlled projectors, which allow the beam OF
light to be moved and trained by an operator
stationed even at Il distant point on the vessel;
at our Newport torpedo station. though first
brought out successfully In France.
But the most recent point of interest, perhaps:
is the use of electric motors. OF which turrct
turning Is the latest example. Their develop
mcnt has been slow, partly from their costli.
the far greater demand for motors on land has
absorbed attention. since the conditions on ship
In a review Of the subject made more than two
years ago by Ensign Blandin, it was stated that
in our service the only uses to which electric
motors had then been put were for ventilating
fans, rapid-ftrc guns, ammunition hoists. train
ing the guns, and this last only expcrimentally,
and operating the valve. of the steering. en-
gine.. But 1t was added that electricity
could he further used to advantage for
all hoists on deck. for tho torpedo dis
charging, apparatus, for steering. for ash
hoists and for workshop machinery. The prac-
teal addition of the turning OF turrets to this
list is certainly very important. Ensign Blan-
din retuted the assertion that the weight OF the
dynamos and engines was a decisive argument
against using electric motors, saying that spc-
cfnl generating sets would not have to be In
stalled for motors used in time Of peace, as the
power for illuminating and other purposes would
be adequate; and further, that even for motors
difference in the weight Of the electric appa-
ratus and that OF steam. hydraulic or air pumps
and pipes. The efficiency. cleanliness. conven-
fence. and ease OF repair of electricity are also
in its favor. and. in fact. there seems little doubt
that its uses will be multiplied on shipboard in
the near future.