The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-13

The Chief Engineer Gives "a Detailed De.
scription of it's Nature,

NEW YORK, Feb. l2.-From CHEZ En-
gineer Adolph Martin was obtained to-
day more detailed description OF the
nature OF the break In the Gascognes
machinery. The break occurred i'm one
of the piston rods about half way IL
tween the traveller and the piston. 10
was due to a flaw. Though there were
facilities aboard for making repairs the
location OF ghe break was such that
an attempt to repair II would have re-
qlired the moving of machinery and
would have been attended with even more
delay and difficulty. Therefore, IL was
decided TO dsconnect the affected cyIin-
der from the other two. which are cor
structed so that they can be used indie
pendenr;v. This necesstated the takin's
out OF the injured piston and occasioned
a delay OF seventeen hours. The cutting
of this cylinder reduced the power from
5000 horse power to $500. bringing the
speed down to one-half. Later the cram.
shaft got heated, and the bearings had
to be changed.
The break was not caused by any strain
from bad weather, but simply TO the
flaw which existed i'm the new machinery.
The engines are OF the quadruplo expan-
sion type. There are six cylinders set
tandem fashion in two tiers OF three
cylinders Of sevcnty-nine inches IN
diameter each; one intermediate cylinder
of - inches; one high pressure cylinder
OF e inches, and two intermediate cylin-
ders of l2 incncs diameter.
She has twelve boilers OF the singles
end type. each feet 9 inches IN length
ana t. feet in diameter. Before the iirst
breakdown the average revolutions 10
a minute were sixty-two. When repairs
had been made they could not 10 better
than thlrty-fiye, and after meeting tho,
storm Ii became necessary 10 reduce II
10 thirty. The first breakdown occurred
l. 23O knots out AT sea IT was the piston
OF the intermediate cylinder that cracked.
The second mshap was the occasion Of
most delay. IL was on the 5th Of Febru-
airy that II occurred.
The isoiating Of the injured cylinder
affected the control OF the steam. which I
pressed directly from the high pressure
to the ouadruple expansion cylinders.
The after cylinder became so heated that
the centre became disabled. II was
necessary TO wait for II to cool before
anything could be done.
After the second repairs, La Gascogne
got along without further trouble 10 her
engines Before the repairs were made the
second time, however. La Gascogne's pas
sengers learned something OF the terrors
of the sea.
The storm into which the steamer ran
on February lth was doubtless responsible
for the second accident, because or the
strain il put on the lessencd power facil-
files. which had been strengthened ny
some new work.
This new work readily heated from fric-
tIou. steerage way was lost. and the
steamer rolled into the trough or the
Sea The passengers all remained below.
II as 10 a. NJ. on the 4th that the cy-
clol = started That night ard the follow
inc one were sleepless ores. Many VINO
retired on the second night got UP after
the accident. The rollins or the vessel
was frightfui. Huge seas dashed aSainst
The port lights, and one heavy wave
reared its bulk up nearly to the bridge.
n damaged one boat and carried away
twenty zee. OF rail on the main deck.
The broken piston rod weighed seven
TON. chief Engineer Martin says that u
will take about fiyo days 10 repair the
damage. and will cost about S.ecj. Ia
Gascogne will be started out on Wed''es-
day next.
Eighty men, the fun complement ot the
engineers stafr. are engaged IN discon-
Meeting the broken rod.