Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-29
FOR BETTER BATTLESH|PS
BIGGER GUNS AND IMPROVED
PR0PELLING ENGINES.
Several Types of Turbines Now Be.
ing Considered by the
Naval Experts.

Several important improvements are
contemplated by naval experts in the con-
struction of the new battleships which 1t
Is expected Congress will authorize at
the present session In accordance with
the strong recommendations of President
Taft and Secretary Meyer. These apply
mainly to improved machinery and i1eav-
Ter armament. In most other respects
the next new battleships practically will
be duplicates of the Florida and tho
Utah, which embody the latest improve
ments in naval construction.
AS a result of the recent tests OF the
new fourteen-inch gun at the Indian
Head proving grounds, 1t is probable that
the main batteries. of the next battleships
will consist of fourteen-inch guns instead
of twelve-inch guns, as Is the case with
their predecessors. The installation OF the
heavier guns will make considerable diff
ference in the internal arrangement of
the ships, especially in the matter of am
munitiOn hOists, magazines and storage
room for the larger projectiles required.
An increased weight in ordnance will
naturally require a sacrifice of weight in
other departments
New-Style Engines.
1t is probable also that the engines of
propulsion designed for the next battle
ships by Rear Admiral Cone and his as
sistants in the naval bureau of steam en-
gineeripg. will show a marked improve
ment over the engines installed in war
ships now in commission. One thing al
ready settled is that the next ships will
be propelled by turbines of the most i'm
proved construction. The exact type of
turbine to be installed, however, has not
yet been finally settled. Those under CON
sheraton are the Parsons, the Curtis
and the Westinghouse turbines and the
Schenectady turbine with a turbo-genera-
tor attachment. The last named and the
Westinghouse machines are said to re-
move many of the difficulties which at
tend the use OF the turbines now en-
ployed.
The Westinghouse turbine in particular
has received the favorable consideration
of naval engineering experts as adapted
to naval purposes, and II has been decid-
ed to give 1t a practical test in one OF
the smaller naval vessels already pro-
vided for by Congress. The particular
vessel mas not yet been designated, but
probably it will be one of the big naval
GOLFERS. If the test shall prove success
full the Westinghouse turbine may be
adopted for the next battleships and
other future warships.
Advantages Claimed.
The advantages claimed for this tur-
bine are of prime consideration in all
marine construction, not only naval. but
merchant marine. One of its main differ
ences from other turbines is in its reduc-
ton gear, permitting increased speed OF
the turbines with relatively decreased
speed of the propeIlers. Compared with
direct-connecting turbines or reciprocal
ing engines the Westing house turbine re-
quires but one-half the room, is about
half the weight, costs less for instala-
ton and operation and insures greater
steam economy. The turbine has been
successfully tested at the Westinghouse
works, at East Pittsburg, and its advo-
Gates claim that it will operate equally
well on shipeboard. The application OF
the new form OF machipery to the next
Dreadnoughts of the United States Navy.
it is claimed, will make them the most re-
liable, the most efficient and the fastest
Warships af1cat, with a decidedly in
creased cruising radius.
George Westinghouse, president of the
company, has been in this city for sew
eral days comforting with Secretary Mey
err and Engineer-in-C Chief Cone in regard
to the subject