The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-06
vITALS OF a BATTLE SHIP.
The MazeO of Machinery Moves Almost
Without a. Sound.

@R
In order to gain some idea of the compli-
Gated mechanism over which the engineers
must exercise a ceaselesS watchfulness,
guided by intimate knowledge. one should
descend to the depths where the vital parts
OF a Dattleship are in motion at a time
when steam is up for maneuvering speed.
That means little more than half the rate
she is capable of being driven at, but ii is
enough for a man unaccustomed TO such
situations. In spite of all attempts at VEN
tliation, the heat down there seems sitting
at first by contrast with the pleasant breeze
ON deck, and the swift movements of
wheels, cranks and piston rods are bewild-
rest. one would shrink from an attempt to
count its many parts. The valves alone
and the means Of controlling them would
battle enumeration, and only a vague i'm
preston of a tangled network remains on
ones mind as the result OF prolonged con-
temptation. The bewildermept is increased
volving or gliding to and fro like shuttles
In a weaver's loom so rapidly that the eve
cannot follow their movement. How it Is
that occurs in the midst of so much whirl
is a mystery to the initiated, and not
easily explained even by the engineers
ly by sound occasionally by sight and
sometimes by smell. Every piece Of ma
chinery connected with the motive power
by twin screws, as all our effective battle
ships. fast cruisers and improved torpedo
The port and starboard engines act inde-
pendently9 but so uniform are their revolu-
tions that there is seldom more than a
fractional difference between the two sets
a difference that could only just be meas
ured on the 51-inch stroke of a piston rod.
How enormous is the force exercised by
these engines one can realize only when
standing where the throbs of the propeller
as 1t beats the water may be distinctly
felt. This is near the vessels stern-posf
A few yards from 1t the vibrations become
attenuated to a thrill The great shaft,
turning at a rate OF nearly one hundred
revolutions every minute, works with alb
solute noiseless energy, and its move
ment is 50 rapid as to be perceDtible only
because of The ripple Of light that wavers
along 1t, reflected from the electric lights
that glow night and day in this part Of
the ship when engines are In motion. A
similar absence of all sounds that might
indicate friction Is a characteristic of every
part of the motive power in a battle shin.
out the engine room, though uttered little
louder than an ordinary conversal tone
Were 1t otherwise, the engineer on duty
lest he should miss some urgent summons
sent TO him through electric wire or voice
tube from the executive officer on the
bridge. who is responsible for the shin's
safety.
AT cruising speed Of anything between
five and eight knots an hour, the 1900 tons
of armored hull. bar0ettes, batteries and
less important superstructure are driven
with so little apparent effort thai the great
battle ship seems almost motionless. The
w oAA84At6 II OdSh HtI mlKhIV
framework are scarcely perceptibIe on derf
and one must be very close to The. engines
b before he e., can 9,o hear any sound Of sheir
may be attributed the feeling which
seems to be prevalent among some
naval men that an engineers dnfies
below demand little exercise of the
knowledge acquired in a long course
OF scientific training Executive ON
GERS. especially of the junior ranks. seldom
go into an engine room for the purpose a.
making themselves acquainted with ali the
details OF work there, and II Is not very
surprising that when everything soey
smoothiy there should be a tendency 10
underestimate the qualities that are necee-
sary Tor controlling such Complicated piece
or m~echa nizzn as the engipes Of q modern
battle ship. Even when 2 senior oficer
wno: though no longer In active service
by many besides himself. i have heard an
emphatic condemnation OF the measureS IN.
g swing 2 h,ener ssstus TO e~nglneers tk7S