Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-09-07
A NAVY'S ELECTRICITY,
THEAPPARGTUs USED ON AMoDERN
BATTLESHlP VERY COMPLEX

|
1t is in the electrical apparatus that
the modern battleship is especially
complex. For vessel like the Massa-
chusetts there are three generating
units" with multipolar dynamos, each
having a capacity of 800 amperes at
so volts. These dynamos are run by
engines which make 400 revolutions o
minute. This electric plant is used
for the operation of nearly 500 incan-
descent lights, four search lights, one
set of signaling apparatus, two sta
tionary and four portable yentilating
fans, four motors for the 8-inch am
munition hoists, and other apparatus
peculiar to warships, such as range
finders, engine telegraphs, telephones
and the like.
The introduction of electricity on
warships has been O constant fight
and struggle against steam. Inch by
inch.the ground has been fought over,
and inch by inch electricity has been
winning its way, and the end is not
yet.
Very few of our warships are steered
by electricity. The cruiser Brook
lyr, however, has such IN apparatus
and it is said to work satisfactorily.
On most of the large ships the guns
are fired by electricity. On nearly
all of them an elaborate telephone
system is in place and use. Another
electrical device is what is called the
helm indicator, which shows the navi--
gator of the ship the exact condition
OF the helm at any time. One of the
commonest uses OF electricity on ship
board is the esteering telegraph, where
by the navigator communicates with
the engine room and is enabled in re-
turn to see whether the orders he has
transmitted have bean carried out.
Another electrical instrument, which
is coming into useron warships. is the
speed and direction indicator, which
reveals to the navigator of the ship
not only the number but the direction
of the revolutions OF the shaft of each
engine.
Then. there is The range finder and
| the range indicator whereby, with
dials, the captain of ship can regu-
late the direction and all tho details
Of firing guns in any part of the ship
from his station i'll the coming tower.
Another electrical apparatus is the
electric telescope sight. This works
in cooperation with the range indi-
catJr. It has been found that when
ship is rolling the man who is sight
ing the gun has to- get the target, the
front sight aud the rear sight into line
and that he has only about one-fifth
Of a second in which to do this work.
Through the operation of this tele-
scopic sight the man who is elevating
the gun merely watches the range in
dicator and keeps the gun in certain
vertical plane. The man Mt the tele-
scopic sight waits until the vertical
ard horizontal cross-lrairs rest upon
the target. as he looks through his
telescope, and the proiectile goes
straight toward the mark when he
presses the button to fire gun.
A scientific paper recently called
attention to the fact that it was inn
possible to provide any more, search
lights for our larger ships owing to
the scarcity OF the mirrors used in
them. They are of peculiar make,
and cannot be produced quickly.
This emphasizes the fact that the war
ship of the present time is something
| I--tl ttlfI1r cuunot be put together in d
helter-skelter, slam-bang fashion, like
the war of 1862, when even battle
ship was made in something like six
months. The modern searchlight,
such MS is used on the Massachusetts,
OF Indiana, has 100000 candle power.
aud there is no manifestation of cleo
tricity on a warship that SO appeals to
the average man rs shaft of light
from one of these instruments in q
dark night. The average ship, also, is
full = of various indicators which
are operated by electricity and
which, although apparently of trifing
importance, are of serious moment.
One of these is a thermostat, which
is placed on the walls of the magazine
which automatically rings fire alarm
in case the temperature of the maga-
zine rises to q dangerous point.
Another indicator is called the water
alarm. This tells exactly when any
compartment of the double bottom is
perforated in any way, and also ex-
actly where the injury is. If it is a
serious injury the captain on the yes
sci aguin employs electricity and by
the mere pressure Of n button blows
that ear-splitting instrument of tor
ture known as the siren whistle. This
is signal to close all water-tight
compartments throughout The ship, SO
that, if possible, tragedy may be
avortod if the vessel is in danger of
ssinkings&4.ss551
Another use of electricity on war-
ships that invariably attracts the at
tention Of the spectator at night has
to do with the signalling apparatus.
Red and white lights are strung from
yard to the deck, and the various
combinations of lights form certain
letters, which are the means of COM
munication from ship to ship. The
operator of this signalling system sits
Mt little table on which are arranged
large number of black keys with red
and white spots painted. on them, re-
presenting every possible bination
of tho two colors in the use of
five lanterns of each color. These
keys look like so many dominoes. The
operator becomes very expert in the
manipulation of these keys, and can
place his finger on certain letter or
sign MS quickly as an expert operator
on typewriting machine can touch q
certain key.
In battle formation it is very neces-
sary for ships to keep at. exact dis
| 4,,oo. fr,n, oo,b otbar CO -oo RI