New-York tribune., 1911-01-01
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
Lively Fight for Turbines on
BattIeshipS.
From The Tribune Burcsu.
Washington. Decembe

Washington. December o.
TURBINE ADVOCATES HEARD. - \
lively fight Is being made by advocates OIL
the turbine as the motive power OF oatue-
ships TO have the Secretary or the NAVY
revoke his order for the installation OF re-
ciprocating engines on the Texas, whicn 10
to he built at Newport News. Va. the de-
cision In favor OF that type Of machinery
in place Of turbines involved an increase
in the cost Of the ship. and there has oeen
much discussion among the experts as 10
the advantages Of reciprocattng engines
The decision OF the Secretary IN accoro-
ance with the recommendations OF tne
engineer-in-chief and the chief constructor
Of the navy and general board has LED 70
considerable criticism on the part OF those
experts who believe that the department.
Is taking a step backward. AS mas oeeh
pointed out In these dispatches, the seiec-
ton Of reciproceting engines for the pat
tIeships authorized at the last session OIL
Congress was finally made after careiul
comparison OF all the relative conditions.
The main point which finally influenced
the department was the representation OF
the naval engineers that reciprocating en-
gines could be more easily repaired at sea-
remote from a navy yard. In time OF war
than turbines. A turbine driven vessel IN
tured in battle. for instance, would be
totally disabled. It was pointed out that
in the case Of American ships the cruising
distances were great and tho chance OF
reaching a repair station correspondinsiy
small The Bureau Of Steam Engineering
admits all the advantages which are al
legged for the turbines, but also insists that
the strategic considerations are greatly In
favor Of the reciprocatins engines. The
decision Of the Navy Department has led
to protests from those who are interested
in turbine manufacture. and In the present
week hearings have been given by the
Bureau Of Steam Engineering and the gen.
eral board to Mr.. Curtis. the designer OF
the turbine which bears his name, and
to F. T. Bowles, head Of the Fore River
Shipbuildng Company, who Is also presi-
dent Of the firm which manufactures the
Curtis turbine. The desire Is TO have the
Navy Department amend its contract with
the Newport News Company to require the
installation Of turbines on the Texas and
10 install them also on the battleship to be
who are interested in turbines are prepar-
Ing for a big fight.
THREE MIDSHIPMEN RESIGN.-Three
more rlidshipmen at the Naval Academy
recently graduated have resigned to engage
in civil pursuits. They are Henry H. Fox.
Of ST. Louis, appointed by Representative
Bartholdt; William N Barratt. jr, Of Ore
gon. appointed by Senator Fulton, and
J. r. Sloan, OF South Carolina. appointed
by Senator Latimer. Ensign Lorenz W. f.
Carstein, engineer officer Of the Paducah,
has resigned. He is a native OF New
Hampshire and entered the service In 1902
ORDERS ISSUED-The following orders
have been issued:
ARMY.
Lieutenant Colonel EDGAR A. MEARNS IRE
tired). from further active duty December
81 to home.
Following changes in coast artillery: Colonel
FREDERICK MARSH, to command Fort
Totten and eastern artillery district OF
New York; Major JOHN D. BARRETT, to
command Fort Moultre and artillery dis
trict OF Charleston; Major FRANK e.
HARRIS. from Fort Totten, to command
Major JOSEPH r DAVIDSON quartermas-
ter. to duty as depot quartermsster at
Jefersonville, Ind.
Captain JOHN j. TOFFEY, .Jr.. Tth Infantry
from general hospital San Francisco, to
Fort Lravenworth, February I.
Following changes In corps OF engineers
ordered First Lieutsnants JOSEPH H.
EARLE. and HAROLD {. HETRfCR. from
present stations and duties. TO san Fran
cisco, and take transport sailing March )
for the Philippines First Lieutenant
ERNEST GRAVES. from duty with Cd
Battalion and at Manila. April 10 TO San
Francisco, thence 70 Fort ID A. Russell
for duty vith Company NJ Sd Battalion: :
First Lieutenant FRANCIS Y WlLBY
from duty with I'd Battalion of Engineers
and at Manila. February -. 70 San Fran
cisco, thence 10 Washington Barracks for
duty with lst Battalion.
Second Lieutenant GLEN F.. EpGERTON de-
tailed member Alaskan Board OF Road
Commissioners. vice Captain FRANCIS A
pOPE; Lieutenant EDGERToN 20 Wash
ington. thence via san Francisco to VAL
dez. Alaska.
First LieJte nant JOHN ". MIKE, coast ar
tillery assume charge construction work
AZ Forts Dade and De Soto. relieving
First Lieutenant JOHN O'NEIL, coast
artillery.
First Lieutenant JOHN LUND. attached TO Sd
Field ARTILLERY. from Walter Reed General
Hospital. District Of Columbia, on eXpira-
tion Of one months leave Of absence, 10
proper station.
Second Lieutenant WILLIAM II. RUCKER. I'd