Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-02
NEW MARINE TURBINE
Result of Five Years Study BY
George Westinghouse.

George Westinghouse.
Z. A revolution in the method OF ap-
plying power TO vessels. and especially
TO naval vessels, is fairly certain TO
be accomplished by the general in
stallation OF a new type Of marine tur-
bine engine and it's reduction gears.
which can start cold.
This turbine and gear equipment
represent the result of FIVE years of
study and experimentation by George
Westinghouse in the works of the
Westinghouse Machine company at
Hittsburg.
To the United States goes the first
opportunity to try out the invention;
hence 1t is that with the building OF
the collier Neptune. larger than most
battleships, the government will in
stall two OF these engines.
When the finest and largest war
ships Of the British navy were here at
tending the Hudson Fulton celebration
the officers could not believe that any
turbine could be started cold" be-
cause the turbines in their ships. the
pride Of the English navy. required
ten hours to warm up before the
engines could be started without tear
ing out the blading inside and render
ing the engine useless. So much did
the English engineers doubt Mr.. West
inghouse's accomplishment that they
made a special trip to Pittsburg to see
the engines operated. And their sur
prise at the starting of the engines
cold" instantly was only equaled by
their establishment that the engine
could be opened, examined. closed up
agaiD and actually started in less than
one hour, when in their own up to
date" engines they required days.
In addition TO the tremendous ad-
vantage that immediate action gives,
other departures from previous prac-
tice which are radical have been
made TO lessen the cost of construc-
ton. facilitate the operation of the ma
cbinery and its inspection and to re
duce the weight and space occupied as
well as TO provide ii control mechanism
whereby the officer in charge OF the
ship may have as complete a control
OF the engines as he now has of the
steering apparatus.
Automatic control. IL is claimed, Is
fully provided for The design of the
turbines had an ahead portion and a
reverse portion and a cruising element
all within one casing. The overspeed-
ing OF the turbine engines from any
cause whatever. and especially in a
heavy sea. Is automatically prevented
by the governor control. All steam
and exhaust connections are made to
the lower half OF the turbine. and the
general construction is such that the
steam may be turned directly into the
apparatus when cold and full speed
attained In less than a minute. where
as the form and dimensions OF the tur-
bines which have heretofore been used
for naval service have been such that
the turbines required preheating, such
action taking from three to ten hours,
according 10 the size Of the machinery.
The speed developed is also consider
able. The man on the bridge can re-
verse either or both turbines from full
speed ahead TO full speed astern in
less than fifteen seconds The speed
and direction OF both turbines. being
under instant control. permit of the
turning of the ship In the shortest pos
sible distance. IL gives the officer in
command absolute control. minimizes
the dangers OF collision and makes for
prompt maneuvering in battle or in
practice.
AS to the minimum OF space that the
new engine will require. il is claimed /
for the new turbines that they mean
the saving of more than one-half of |
the weight IN engines and a decrease /
in the capacity OF boilers required be /
cause OF the lack OF consumption of /
steam. This. il is said. is of the great 4
est importance. as it permits of the /
use OF thicker armor and heavier guns. |