The Republican journal., 1915-08-12
Electricity on Ocean Liners.
c,eyhounds of the Sea Use Extensive Elec.
trical Equipment.

trical Equipment.
The amount and variety of electrical
apparatus carried by any large ocear
liner is astounding. From the wireless:
aerial suspended high above the upper
3sek to the cargo lamps in the loves,
hold electricity is in constant use.
Tie usual electrical installation on q
large liner consists of four engines and
4yasmos, each dynamo having a capa.
5iry OF 400 XIV. at 400 volts. There are
sso auxiliary generating sets in addition
"a he four main generating sets, consist
ING of TWO 30-kW. engines and dynamos
situated on a platform in the turbine
srgine room 20 feet above the water
Ire. These auxiliary emergency sets
are connected to the boilers by means
If separate steam pipe so that should
he main sets be temporarily. out of
action they can provide current for such
lights and power appliances as would be
required in the event of emergency.
Working in conjunction with these emer-
gency sets is battery with a capacity
n $500 ampere-hours, situated on the
homemade deck, forward of the first
lass snoke-room.
The electric lighting on such steamer
+. equal to that of a good. sized town,
IT, total number of incandescent lights
beng about II 900, ranging from 8 to 16
aanle-power. There are special dim
Mug lamps in the first-class rooms, and
The electric bell system includes 100
Be pushes and 20 Indicator boards dis
lrolted throughout the vessel, with fire
alarm pushes distributed through the
great liner and an alarm bell and indi-
ator in the chart room.
There are electric heating, power and
botanical ventilation apparatus in SER
eo-. altogether 1873 motors and COS cleo
r-,a heaters bel G installed throughout,
Ie system of ventilation consists of
-.cCrlcally driven fans-some suction,
others pressure. and in many cases pro-
g-e5 with steam coils for warming the
air Loud-speaking telephones of navy
PATTERN are fitted for communication be-
tween the wheel house on the bridge and
'5r~castle and after-docking bridge, en-
g.ns room and wireless room, and also
e the chief engineers cabin.
The telephones are operated both from
die ships lighting circuit, through a
motor, generator, and alternatively by a
standby storage battery, which is in
-roluced in the circuit, should the main
supply fail, by means of an automatic
sW cn. There is also separate tee-
phone system for inter- communication
a5tWeen number of the chief officials
srl service rooms, through a 50-Iine ex-
change switchboard. A number of the
uautrles and galleys are also in direct
,V.epbonlc communication.
The apparatus for wireless telegraphy
9oaslsts of 5-kw. motor-generator. The
.llSe for the instruments is situated on
tie boat deck. There are four parallel
s-ral wires extending between the
masts fastened to light brooms; from
the aerlals connecting wires are led to
the Instruments in the house. There
are two complete sets of apparatus, one
for transmitting and one for receiving
ressages, the latter being placed in a
s0und-proof chamber in one corner of
the house. There is also an Independent
storage battery and coil.
For submarine signalling, apparatus is
provided for receiving signals from sub
merged bells. Small tanks containing
n.icrophones are placed on the inside of
the hull of the vessel on the port and
sJarboard sides below water level and
connected by wires to receivers situated
70 the port navigating room. The whis-
ties are electrically actuated. The boil
GROOM telegraphs, stocking indicators,
aud a number of auxiliary appliances,
such as rudder indicators, clocks and
taermostats, are also electrical, and the
water-tight doors are released by cleo
tro-magnets.
There are complete emergency cir
cults provided on all ocean liners. A
separate and distinct installation is fitted
m all parts of the vessel, deriving cur
rent from two 80 XIV sets and the $500
ampere-hour battery, so that in the
vent of current from the main dyna-
ros being unavailable an independent
supply is obtainable. Connected to the
zuergency circuit are about 500 incan-
17scent lamps, fitted throughout all pas
senger, crew and machinery compart-
merits, all the end of passages and near
s,alrWays; also on boat deck, to enable
ryone to find the way from one part of
me ship to the other. The following
are also connected to the emergency cir
2I!t by means of change-over switches:
FIVE arc lamps, seven cargo and G ang-
Nay lanterns, wireless apparatus, boat
iayits, mast, side and stern lights, and
q lights on bridge, including those of
1avlgating and chart rooms, wheelhouse.
-=!egraphs, compasses and Morse signal
ing lanterns.
Very soon, it is freely predicted, ocean
liners will also be driven by electric
power. the government having ordered
such an electrical equipment from the
General Electric Company to drive the
rev battleship, California, the larg-
est in the world