New-York tribune., 1905-02-03
TURBINES FOR sTEAusHIps.


\ letter from The Tribune's London CORE
spOndent, printed in yesterdays issue, will
open the eyes of many Americans to an impOr-
tant revolution now in progress in steam navi-
CATION Scarcely eight years have elapsed since
Mr.. Parsons designed an experimental boat for
the British Admiralty to illustrate the virtues
of his invention, the steam turbine So remark
able was the performance of that tiny craft that
an order was soon given to equip several tor
pedo boat destroyers with such engines One
of those boats. the Viper, in the summer of
1900 developed a speed of more than thirty
seven knots, an event so unprecedented as to
Startle the world.
The possibilities of the new motor when intro
duced to the merchant marine Immediately re-
ceived wide consideration. Skeptics and pessi-
mists abounded but their opinions prevailed for
only short time. Two river boats built for
service on the Clyde, soon demonstrated that the
turbine was thoroughly practicable in vessels
of their size, and that it might prove a trifie
more economical than the old reciprocating en-
gine Turbine steamers were next built to cross
the English Channel, and by their superior speed
they sensbly shortened the time requisite for
voyage that is often exceedingly uncomfort-
able, IN spite Of its brevity. The eXpediency of
operating transatlantic steamship by the same
means was then studied as never before.
England had observed with natural dis
quierude the achievements of German shipbufId-
ers toward the close of the last century From
time immemorial the fastest steamships had
been hers. When the Deutschland and Kaiser
Wilhelm II surpassed the best records of the
Campania and the Lucania by more than a knot
an emergency had arisen which demanded VIC.
orOus action. Nevertheless, not a British ward
was willing to guarantee anything swifter ar
least with the kind of motive machinery then
universally in vogue for ocean going vessels
The behavior Of the Channel boats materially
altered the situation. A commission comnosed
OF representatives Of the government and the
Cunard company made a thorough investiga-
ton of the matter and reached highly graft
flying conclusion. In the belief that something
like twenty-five knots-or a knot and q half
more than the best German steamships can de-
velop-was really attainable by the use of steam
turbines it was decided to try the new method of
propulsion. Besides offering the Cunard COM
pany handsome subsidy for mail service the
government lent its credit for the purpose of
raising the money needed to construct the new
vessels. The company thereupon let its con-
tracts to separate builders, and within the next
two years Britannia will unquestionably again
rule the wave"
The venture daring one as our London
correspondent truly remarks but there is abun
dant reason for thinking that English expecta-
tons in regard to the new vessels will be fully
realized. Since turbines went into operation on
the English Channel a number Of other exhi-
bitiOns of their qualities have been afforded.
Several steam yachts-among them the Taran
tula, belonging to w. X. Vanderbilt ir,-haye
been equipped herewith. For at least six
months the Manxman, which has the same form
Of motor, has been carrying passengers across
the Irish Channel for the Midland Railway.
similar steamer, the New Turblnia, was sent
across the Atlantic last summer for service on
Lake ontario. Further light will be thrown on
the subject when the Victorian and +bo W.
ginian being built for the Allan Line have
their trials; and one Of them should be ready
within the next few months. Still. the over
whelming success of the Cnarders now nndor
construction is practically a foregone concln-
sion. iu