Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-03
EVOLUTION IN STEAM ENGINES
Turbine Believed TO Mark m New
Epoch in Power of Sea-
going Ships.


As the propeller type OF steam vessel
mas practically driven out the side
wheeler except where local conditions are
especially favorable. so the new turbine
engine bids fair to supersede the ordinary
reciprocating marine engine and inaugu-
rate new epoch in shipbuilding and
transoceanic travel
This new epoch was begun by the re-
cent arrival in New York from Liverpool
OF the new Cunard steamship Carmania,
the first transatlaptic passenger vessel of
the new type to enter a United States
port. Other fine vessels before this have
been fitted with turbine engines, but the
Carmania is the biggest and finest steam
snip OF the type today, being 675 feet in
length and of displacement of 10000
tons.
everyone who has watched the workings
OF big marine engine of the ordinary
type has been impressed no less by its
complications than by it's size and power
BY comparison the turbine engine is sim
plcity itself.
Aside from details the turbine engine
consists of stationary cylinder, within
which is a revolving drum. To this drum
is affiXed the shaft and to the shaft is
fastened the propeller. The steam enters
one end of the cylinder, revolves the drum
in It's passage and goes out of the other
end to the condenser, whence it returns TO
the boiler as feed water
That is all there is to the turbine. There
are no pistons, cams, eccentrics connect
Ing rods or other complicated devices
necessary on reciprocating engines to con-
vert direct motion into rotary motion.
In theory at least the turbine IN steam
vessels offers many advantages. It takes
up much less space. II has comparatively
little vibration. II lies in a horizontal posi-
ton (as against VERTICAL nearer the bottom
OF the ship, thus lowering the center OF
gravity and increasing the stability. II is
more economical in operation.
The Carmania was built to be big and
comfortable boat of moderate speed New
ertheless on it's maiden trip It averaged six
teen knots against head winds and in a
heavy sea. It's officers report that ID Is
easier to steam, coal and handle and more
economical than its sister ship. the Caro-
MIA which has ordinary engines. There
was also a noticeable absence of vibra ton
and comparatively few passengers were
seasck.
Statements are made which show that
the British have large faith In the tur-
bine as the coming marine engine. For
example. the Cunard line has under con-
struction two monster liners TO be driven
by turbine engines Of 5000 horsepower.
These steamships are expected TO make
twenty-five knots-equal to about thirty
statute miles and through them the line
expects TO regain the record for the fast
! est Atlantic passage.
II is also stated that the turbine Is to be
installed I'm a dozen merchant ships now
building in British yards. But the most
significant statement Of all is that the
turbine is to be installed i'm all the British
naval vessels on this years program, in
Guiding the monster battleship Dread
naught.
This revolutionary type OF engine has
! had a commercial existence Of little more
than four years. Already II has proved a
| great success on land and il is seen every
| where. Experience has shown that, while
the saving in steam is not large. the COM
parative cost OF maintenance IL very small
| Therefore, being cheaper and saving space
| II has a certain future on land
Apparently the turbine in vessels offers
additional advantages. II IL reduces the
vibration so annoying on shipboard IL will
be boon. II Il renders the ship more
stable, and thus robs seasickness OF some
Of its horrors. It will be a blessing