New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-06
TURBINES FOR BATTLESHIPS.

The prospect that the use of steam turbines
on American battleships will be authorized ilr-
proves Hitherto the Navy Department has
ventured 10 sanction the adoption of engines of
that type only on small vessels--scout cruisers
and in taking that step doubtless felt that 1t was
running some risk. When bids were received for
the construction of the cruisers Montana and
North Carolina about a year ago one BUILDER
signified his willingness introduce turbines If
The government so desired, but his offer not
accented Since that time the world has rotated
appreciably on IFS axis. 1t is now reported from
Washington that the Board of Naval COnstruc-
ton has recommended that when bids are in
vited for the building OF The Michigan and
South Carolina propositions be solicited which
shall include both the old and the kinds Of
engine. 1t is not yet evident that Secretary
Bonaparte has decided to adopt the suggestion.
Even if he does, the main question will remain
open until the contracts for the two battleships
are finally awarded. Yet recent expressions of
official sentiment certainly increase the prob
ability that turbines will be tried some of
the biggest vessels Of the United States Navy
within the next three or four years
Twelve months ago almost the only basis for a
safe Judgment in this matter the set Of tests
made in 1904 by the British Admiralty with the
Amethyst and Topaze. These were cruisers
having a displacement of three thousand tons,
one being equipped with Parsons turbines and
the other with reciprocating engines In other
respects the two vessels were very much alike.
The superior economy of the turbine. especially
at high speeds, was demonstrated by these eX-
periments but it was impossible TO say with
certainty whether the advantage would attend
a trial on larger scale. without waiting for
further information Great Britain determined
TO employ turbines on q battleship which is al
ready about half finished, and which will prob
ably be launched before the close of the pres
ent week. The American government however,
wisely delayed committing itself 10 50 radical a
measure. and in the mean time has had an oppOr-
tunity TO learn a good deal about the adaptation
of the turbine TO service on large vessels. Inas-
much the Victorian and the yirginian, of the
Allan Line, have displacement of about seven,
/ teen thousand tons, their performance could not
fail TO prove more less instructive. but it
warranted no positive conclusions about steam
/ economy. II not feasible TO make n conf
parisOn Of much value with these ships because
/ their owners had no others of the same size,
/ shape and boiler capacity which were driven by
the old style of engine. The right opportunity
was not afforded until the Carmania began run
ming last December, but this immensely
/ significant. In everything except her engines,
the latest addition TO the Cunard feet Is
duplicate of the Caronia. and their displacement
(nearly thirty thousand tons is about twice as
large as that which it is proposed TO give to the
Michigan and the South Carolina. Naval experts
are in a much better position to-day than they
were a year ago, therefore to judge of the fit
ness of turbines for war vessels of the largest
proportions. There would be much less risk
now than there was then in adopting them for
first class battleships.
Fuel economy in the merchant marine means
only saving of money In the naval service it
means more. Ii increases the radius of action OF
a ship, ami this is important strategic ad-
vantage. Again, the maximum speed which is
attanable with turbines is a knot or so greater
than the reciprocating engine gives in a vessel
of the same form and size. The Carmania is
faster than the Caronia when burning the same
quantity of coal. The Amethyst was distinctly
/ superior 10 the Topaze under the same condi-
tons. Hence. when an emergency arises which
calls for a squirt regardless of expense il is
reasonable to expect better behavior from bat
tleship or cruiser having turbines than from one
/ equipped with reciprocating engines of the same
nominal capacity. 1t is hard TO imagine any
drawbacks attending the use of the most modern
motive machinery that could offset the two mil
itary qualities here mentioned.