The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-04-08

nection with the propulsion of such
warships when propelled under heavy
weather conditions. and so noted in
the case of the New Mexico.
Captain Durtnall added that the sub
ject was then receiving close attention
on the part of shipbuilders and en-
gineers, forming the topic Of repeated
discussions of various engineering as
sociations, both in England and
abroad. electrical power transmits
sion for ship propulsion" he said,
twas nigh at hand" and he urged ma
val and mercantile engineers to make
themselves at fait with all the poten-
tialities of this twentieth century IL
vasion Of the orthodox methods OF
steam propulsion Oh direct propeller
drive"
''That, be it remembered, was ten
years ago, and the matter did attract
a considerable amount of favorable
comment, but that was about as far as
it went.
How Captain Durtna!I Won His Point.
One Of Captain Durtnall's chief crit
les was Sir Charles Parsons. who sail
he feared the system would prove
source of grave danger to the engine
room crews, as ''if a short circuit oc'
Cured they would all be poisoned by
copper poisoning from the fumes that
would be given off," And yet within
a year Sir Charles Parsons firm, to-
gether with the Thompson Houston
Electric company (the English repre-
sentatives Of the General Electric
company. q. S. Az, were both de-
PENDANTS in actions brought by Captain
Durtnall before the comptroller gen.
feral Of patents, in London, in which
they sought to infringe Captain Durt-
nails patents, the settlement Of which
was brought about by Captain Durt-
nall agreeing that he would be salts
fed if a disclaimer as to this poly
phase alternating current ship propul-
sion was inserted in the applicants
specifications.
Since that time several successful
patent actions have been placed TO
the credit of Captain Durtnall, whose
original invention is considered basic.
But the real reason why Captain
Durtnall's invention was thrown down,
not once, but many times during the
last ten years, by the British adj
miralty, he said, was because it was
considered of too revolutionary char.
acter. He is, however, very gratified
at the tremendous success Of his Par
agon system, first on the naval col.
lier Jupiter and more recently on the
New Mexico.
Whether 1t was, as can hardly be
gainsaid, that inventors are seldom
the best missionaries Of their own
cases, or that the adverse criticisms
Of such authorities as Sir Charles Par
sons and Doctor Ferranti carry, very
great weight in marine engineering cir
cles over here, Captain Durtnall IS
very gratifed that at last his efforts
have been rewarded by the recogni-
ton in highest possible form, name
ly. successful trials at sea-, of his Par
agon system by the United States
navy; although, in discussing the mat
ter with me, he rather diffidently critt-
cized one remark which Mr.. Daniels
is reported to have made to the. eff
feet that the New Mexico is much
more powerful ship than any other
in the world.
Naval Science Advanced.
'What Mr.. Daniels undoubtedly
meant" said Captain Durtnall, "was.
of course, that he had built much
stronger ship, one which will stand
heavier gunfre and underwater at
tack than any other afiOat, as by TAX
ing full advantage of the facilities Of
elasticity and the fiexibility of power
plant placing, which electrical driving
offers, full advantage can and has been
taken of the efficient merits Of the
strength of the cellular system Of hull
construction, and armor, points which
the world has yet to learn in connec-
ton with the splendid high power,
high speed electrical battle cruisers
under construction for the progressive
United States navy, of which every
true American should be highly proud.
not only in those facts, but also that