The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-06-02
new TYPE OF
Marine TURBINE
Result Of Five Years Study by
George Westinghouse,
GOVERNMENT ORDERS TWO,

Engines May Be Started "Cold" In
stantIy-New Turbines Mean Saving
of More Than One-half of the Weight
In Eneines-other Features.
A revolution in the method OF aD-
plying power to vessels and especially
to naval vessels, is fairly certain to
be accomplished by the general i'll
stallation of new type of marine tur-
bine engine and its 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
Pittsburg
To the United States goes the first
opportunity to try out the invention:
hence it is that with the building of
the collier Neptune, larger than most
battleships. the government will in
stall two Of these engines.
Britishers Astonished.
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 conld 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
inghouses 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 astonishment that the engine
could be opened, examined, closed up
again 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-
dce which are radical have been
made to lessen the cost of construc-
ton. facilitate the operation of the ma
chinery and its inspection and to re-
duce the weight and space occupied as
well as TO provide control mechanism
whereby the officer in charge of the
ship may have as complete control
of the engines as be now has of the
steering apparatus
Automatic Control.
Automatic control, it is claimed. is
fully proviGsl for. The design of the
turbines had an ahead portion and a
reverse portion and cruising element
all within one casing. The Overspeei-
ing of the turbine engines from any
cause whatever, and especially in q
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 Geld 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 to 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. 1t gives the officer in
command absolute control, minimlzes
the dangers of collision and makes for
prompt maneuVering in battle or in
practice.
AS to the minimum of space that the
new engine viii require, 1t is claimed
for the new turbines that they mean
the saving Of more than ene-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, 1t is said, is of the great,
est importance. as it permits of the
use of thicker armor and heavier guns.