Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-01-04
NEW STEAMBOAT
FOR BANGOR AND BOSTON d.
vISION-TURBINE ENGINE.
TWO BOATS TO BE READY IN 1906
ONE TO GO ON INTERNATIONAL
RoUTE-sPEED IS KNOTS.

nounced through it's general manager,
Gavin Austin, that 1t will build two
steamers to 60 into commission in 1905,
one on the Bangor and Boston division,
the otner on the International or Boston,
Eastport and st. John line.
The boats Will be practically the same
as the steamer Calvin Austin in outward
appearance and general arrangement, but
will be twenty six feet longer and about
the same width.
| TIE psFt,cular modern feature will be
recognized as the most wonderful advance
in marine engineering OF the century.
SPEED TWENTY FIVE KNOTS
Il is expected that by these engines the
new boats can be driven at speed OF
twenty-five knots an hour, while the
Calvin Austin makes but eighteen knots
| an bour.
There Is one steamer OF this type In the
British channel, and Treasurer ]. T.
Morse made a careful inspection OF 1t
several months ago. His report to Gen
eral Manager Austin, coupled with an ex-
animation OF the steamer Tur binia, of the
same type, which plies between Hamilton,
P. O., and Toronto, which they both
made, resulted In the decision to have the
plans and specifications made.
Whistler this type will be employed on
the passenger stea mers built later will de-
pend upon the success OF these pioneers.
That there are others who agree with
the officials OF the Eastern Steamship Co.
that the steam turbine Is the best means
OF power for steamship propulsion is
shown by the fact that the Allan line is
now prep ,ring to launch a new steamer,
the Victorian, which has this equipment.
The luxurious Vanderbilt yacht, the
Tsrantula, which was supposed to en-
body the highest modern type Of marine
engineering, has this equipment.
Generally the interior OF the new steam
ers will be similar to the Calvin Austin.
The finish will be In every way the equal
OF this high grade steamer and the finish
ings and fittings will be OF the best. The
cost OF each new steamer complete will be
about $3.50 900. The dimensions will be in
general the same: Length, 1926 feet in
width, over all, 81 feet; depth Of helm, 81
fset. The hull is OF steel. with q double
bottom and is divided by five water tight
and . collision bulk head.
THE TURBINE ENGINE.
The turbine is an elaborate application
OF the principle OF water turbine, and Is
simply a shaft on one section Of which
are something like q million fans no
larger than half the blade OF pocket
knife. Over this section fits q cylinder
fitted with projections that occupy the
space between the rows Of fans on the
shalt. The pressure OF the steam when
admitted to this cylinder operates upon
the small fan surfaces in such a manner
As to cause the shaft to revolve. 1t is In
reality q very simple process and does
away with the complicated machinery
with which . large section of the hold OF
q irst-class steamer Is filled. The sim
plicity OF the mechanism Is, as may be
easily seen, guarantee against accidents
The saving OF space Is such that 1t Ia
planned that the new steamers will have
accommodations for 1000 passengers
whereas the Calvin Austin can furnish
sleeping quarters for only few over 800.
But probably the greatest advantage is the
greater speed OF vessel equipped with
this type OF propelling machinery. 1t is,
as stated above, expected that the new
steamers will be able 10 make twenty-five
knots n hour as against Gig hteen by the
Austin. This will be accomplished by
about an equal consumption Of coal.
While the passengers will appreciate
the greater speed they will find that the
new vessels have great advantage over
the old type In that there Is barely any
percsptible vibration. There is no fore
ing of the great piston rod back and
forth, and there is no jar to the rapidly
revolving tur bine.
From the point OF view Of the nsvi-
gator the turbine steamer has an import
ant advantage. The smaller diameter OF
the screw propeller means that the
steamer will draw less water. The present
screw propeller steamers OF the Eastern
Steamship Go. draw so much water that
they cannot make the river ports. The
new steamers will be able to enter the
rivers where the Calvin Austin and her
sister ships are unable to go.
1t has been the rule of the Eastern
Steamship Co. to build on an average one
new steamer year and 1t Is part OF the
business of General Manager Austin to
keep his eye out for all the devices of the
marine engineers which can be used for
the betterment OF the company's service
both as to the comfort of the passen gers
and the economy and safety OF naviga.
tion.
The steam turbine has been expert
mented with by marine engineers for a
long time and 1t is only within a few
years that its development has reached
such q state that owners OF steamship
lines felt justified in adopting 1t In their
new steamers.
In the meantime, however, 1t has been
| given a pretty thorouph irving ont mn