New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-07
TIE LATEST TURBINE STEAMER.

Fully two months havo passed since the
steamer Queen the first boat equipped with
turbine engines TO cross the English Channel,
began running regularly between Dover and
Calais A much better judgment in regard TO
her qualities be formed now. therefore,
than early In the summer; and she has GER
tainly shown herself wonderful craft. The
absence Of noise and vibration adds materially
TO the comfort Of the passengers. and, what is
still more important, she makes a new record
for speed. In decent weather she travels al the
rate OF the best ocean liners, twenty-three knots
an hour, and usually makes the run from pier
head to pier head In fifty minutes. Thus she
beats the swiftest OF her predecessors by about
a quarter of an hour. II is no wonder that
similar vessels are proposed for other routes
across the Channel
Shipbuilders and naval experts who have con-
sidered the feasibility of introducing turbines
on warships and transatlantic steamships will
find the performance Of the Queen instructive
Speed Is not the only desideratum. Facility in
manGuvring must not be entirely ignored IN
estimating the virtues and deficiencies Of any
type of propelling mechanism. Wherever it is
desirable as in ferry service to run a vessel
with equal ease In both directions, a double
/ ended sidewheeler gives the most satisfaction.
A boat cannot be backed with a screw as fast
as she can be driven ahead. The turbine can
only be used TO rotate shafts running length
! wise and consequently it cannot be applied
TO paddewheels. It is available only with
screw. Whether the new type of engine would
work as well as the old when it was neces-
sary TO back has been one Of the most serious
questions requiring solution Grave misgivings
were entertained OF this point, because the
Parsons engine does not admit OF reversal with
the same cylinder and turbine which drive a
vessel ahead. Supplementary means must be
employed for that function.
1t now appears. from a report sent by the
American Consul in Calais TO Washington. that
the Queen can so astern at considerably more
than half Of her full speed when going ahead
She has three cylinders three shafts and three
screws. Ordinarily, the middle cylinder takes
steam at high pressure, and passes it along
for further expansion In the two others At
one end of each Of the latter there is an addi-
tional turbine, exclusively for reversal, and
controlled by fits own valves. When the vessel
IS backed the middle screw is idle, but the COM
I bned force Of the side screws, when reversed
is sufficient to develop thirteen knots For the
brief period in which that manPuvre is requi-
site, such a speed would probably be regarded
adequate TO all emergencies and equal to the
performance Of a single screw which was re-
versed by the old type Of marine engine.
The present arrangement Of the Queens
screws has another advantage. By leaving the
middle one inert and running the other two in
opposite directions, Il is possible to make
much sharper turn than If the rudder alone
We're used in steering. That result is already
cured by the twin screw system OF some ocean
liners. The behavior of the Queen in this re-
spect is not new. Still. the fact that the intro
duction of the turbine involves no sacrifice Of
-sl-.Ts
in the matter OF speed and economy OF space,
IS extremely gratifying