The Washington herald., 1907-09-19
The LIMIT
Can't Beat Her, Claims De-
Signer, Here on Visit.
THROWS OUT Def TO GERMANS
England Intends To Have the Tastes:
ships, Is Boast OF William Wier,
OF Scotland, VINO Drew the Plans
for Giant Cunarder's Machinery.
VIII BE the Queen for Years.

The greatest speed that can be at
tanned in ocean travel under the present
conditions is embodied III the Lusitania.
and she will be the queen Of the seas for
many years to come"
William Wier, of Glasgow. Scotland.
who designed and furnished most Of the
machinery FOR the giant steamer, made
the above statement in the course OF an
interview al the Shoreham Hotel last
night In company with William j. Luke.
the designer Of the vessel and J. Fred
Nelson. of Glasgow. Scotland Mr.. Wier
has just completed his maiden trp to
this city, and left here last night for New
York, where he viii leave for Liverpool
on the return voyage of the Lusitania.
He was among those who came over
here on the recent rccord-breaking trip
and he IS enthusiastic over the capahni-
ties OF the boat
Limit for Big Boats Reached.
so long as the ocean boats are made as
heavy as the Lusitauia and draw as much
water as she does the speed cannot be
materially increased. no matter how
great the dimensions and power OF the
engines. The resistance Of the water is
too great and the giant pTopeIlers can
hardly be expected % do more than they
have done in the case of the Lusitauia
There is no doubt in my mind that she
win DO "a knot or two better before she
has made many more trips. While il is
true that she was tried out thoroughly
before she started on her recent journey
across the ocean. it requires more than
one or two trips 10 get the machinery in
prime WORKING order and to give the men
that accustomed feeling which alone can
set the best out Of a boat. The turbine
type Of engine with which the Lusitania
is equipped is especially adapted To high
speed, and when a ship is kept at the
top notch continually these win De- found
70 be much more economical than a re-
ciprocaung engine These turbine en-
giEes are 20 be used iu tLe Dreadnoueht
and in all Of Euglauds latest battle
ships"
Built for speed and Steadiness.
When asked as 20 the truth iu the re-
port that the Cunard Line ships were
narrow and trembled amidsuips when at
high speed. Alr. Wier said:
"Our ships are as wide and as steady
as any that float There is. Of course. a
natural tendency 20 trembIe a bit. which
is due TO the revolutions Of the engines.
but the Lusitania is much more steady
than any ship I have ever been on. Sea-
sickness is practically unknown"
In response % the question as 10
whether the Cunard Line built mainly for
speed, while the German lines built for
strength and Steadiness. Mr. Weir said.
THE German lines are competitive lines
/ and I do not care TO discuss them too
freely, but 1 know that our boats are
/ built with an idea of making them the
finest in. the world for speed, steadiness.
and strength"
To Keep Tab on the Germans.
/ DO you believe that the Germans will
exceed the speed Of the Lusitauia?" Mr..
/ Wier was asked.
If they do, we win try as hard as we
/ can to 20 them one better We are bent
/ on having the fastest and best ships in
the world, and I am sure that It will be
many years before We consider it uecrs-
sary to start on larger and better ships.
/ We win make no changes in the sister
! ship 10 the Lusitanla, and that alone
should show that the Cunard Company is
perfectly satisfied with her"