The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-03
TURBINE STEAMERS SUCCESS.
Seasons Test OF the KIM Edward on the
Clyde Very Satisfactory.


LONDON, Jan. 2S.-During the past sum
mer season a Parsons turbine vessel has been
running for passenger traffic on the Clyde
estuary between Fairlie and Campbeltown.
This boat. the King Edward. is a screw
steamer. $50 feet long and 30 feet wide.
with three shafts and Ave screw propellers.
Her running has been so successful that
machinery on the same principle has been
ordered for another vessel from the Par
sons Marine Steam Turbine Company.
This vessel is to be larger than the King
Edward. as her length will be 40 feet. She
will also be more powerful. as her speed
will be 81 knots compared with the 2o1S
knots reached by the King Edward in her
trial last June.
The Inflated torpedo d~estroyers, Viper
and Cobra. sufficiently proved that in
creased speed is secured by the use Of the
steam turbine machinery. But consider
able doubt has been felt az TO the fuel econ
omy OF this type Of engine for marine work.
In order to get trustworthy data on this
point Capt. Williamson. the managing
owner Of the King Edward. has had a record
kept Of the coal burned during the season.
As a means Of comparison account has also
been taken Of the fuel consumption Of a
vessel Of he same class. also running on
the Clyde. This IL the Duchess of Ham,
ilton. a paddle-wheel steamer. built by
William Denny a Brothers, who also
built the King Edward. and one Of the most
successful boats on the station.
The following results were obtained:
The King Edward burned 1879 tons, 10
cwt. OF coal, rs against l.75s tons IS cwt.
consumed by the Duchess Of Hamilton.
The total mileage Of the King Edward was
i2,lIe, Of the Duchess Of Hamilton $500.
Miles per ton of coal for the King Edward
thus works out at s47 compared with s.s7
for the Duchess OF Hamilton, while the
average speed of the King Edward was
1871 knots to 1871 knots for the Duchess
Of Hamilton.
1T is satisfactory to find, says a writer
in the Times, that by these figures the
steam turbine, which offers so many ad-
vantages for marine propulsion, does not
appear to suffer by comparison with ordi-
nary engines in regard TO fuel economy.
No doubt the consumption per mile will
appear high for a vessel Of this size and
shape when compared with that Of vessels
built more expressly for economy. such as
cargo boats.
Those who are accustomed to high speed,
however. will recognize the price that has
unavoidab bly, to be paid for It and high speed
Is an absolute necessity for a successful
excursion steamer
The Parsons company has now In hand
the machinery for a new torpedo boat
destroyer of somewhat the same type as
the Viper. which was lost through running
on the rocks off the Channel Islands during
last years naval man9uvres. Certain
improvements are being introduced. the
chief Of which are designed 10 secure fuel
economy. The vessel is expected TO con-
sumo less coal both at highest speed run
ming and under cruising conditions. al
though she will have the same speed as
the Viper. about 341, knots.
The Parsons company is also AT present
engaged on the machinery for three large
yachts. One of these il being built TO the
order OF Col. McCalmont. NJ. =. She will
be fitted with Yarrow water-tube boilers
and have a speed Of ~ knots. Her length
will be 1872 feet Q inches and her width IS
feet. Another turbine-propelled yacht
is under construction for Sir Christopher
Furness. She will be Of 700 tons measure
ment and 500 horse power. The third
vessel is a large yacht for A. l. Barger OF
New York, her measurement being about
1 400 tons. length 200 feet s inches. breadth
80 feet 8 inches. The hull and boilers are
being constructed by Ramage 4 Ferguson
OF Leith. The two latter vessels will be
classed at Lloyds