The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-10-23


between the bottom of the ship and the main
deck.
All the baking is done electrically-eectr
motors operate the dough mixers, and dough
kneaderS while the loaveS baked in electrical
ly heated ovens. Next we visit the electric laun-
dry with its many ingenious machines electrically
driven. Electricity also plays its part in other
places, such the crews library, reading room
and recreation quarters; the barber shop; the
sick bay with its up-to-date operating ROOM Capt
A L. Wizards quarters, the officers wardroOms,
etc.
The New Mexico mas II 14-inch guns and
many smaller caIiber, including q battery of
anti-aircraft The larger caliber guns. three
in each of four turrets are operated by electric
ity. The turrets revolved and the guns ele
waited by electric motors. Ammunition hoists run
electrically and there are electric gun leaders,
while even the big guns fired by electrical
means, but the smaller caliber guns generally
oprated by hand.
In examining into the control of these great
batteries of destruction to of the
most interesting spots. the ship-the coming
tower. Navy regulations designed to withhold
important matters OF military design, forbid
from obtaining a picture of the coming tower.
But it is permissible to describe it briefly. The
coming tower is q well-shaped shaft extending
perpendicularly through the ship from top TO bot
tom with ladders running up and down the sides
and convenient methods of transmitting nstruc-
lions by means of indicators and telephones Dur
ing an action the vessels commanding officer
usually stations himself in this tower which is
also known one of several fire-control stations
and transmits instructions.
Up on one of the masts encounter Of
the big eyes of the ship-an electrical eye which
for miles in inky darkness. The current
for the operation of the searchlight comes from
one of the turbo generators heretofore described.
Is the electrical propulsion of marine vessels
opening up an entirely era of scientific ad-
vancement and will the day when the seven
seas will be dotted with electric ships? So far
our own navy is concerned, Secretary Daniels
expressed the essence of the idea when he said:-
ST think this country has cause to be proud of
this achievement in engineering not alone because
of the pronounced success in this particular in
stance (referring to the New Mexico), but because
of the assurance it gives of the superiority of
our capital ships to those of foreign Countries
''The New Mexico is the first and only dread
naught of any nation to have electrically operated
propeIling machinery" continued Secretary Dan
iels son this account she has been object of
SURPRISING interest to the officers of our navy
and to those of foreign navies well, and to
electrical engineers in general
'aThe result was satisfactory from every point
of view and confirmed the Judgment Of all who
were in any way concerned in its design and adop-
ton There was not the slightest miShap with any
part of it, everything worked to perfection, and
the crew was as enthusiastic over the performance
Of the machinery as is the department proud In
the possession of such an efficient dreadnaught.
''When we entered into contract for the ma
chinery we stipulated that, IN addition to being
capable OF developing the maximum power. she
should also give an economy at cruising speed
very much superior to that obtanable with the tur
bine installations previously used. This stringent
requirement also met As matter OF fact
the New Mexico will steam at ten knots on less
fuel than the best turbine-driven ship that pre-
ceded her.
ANYWAY electrical engineers are now turning
their attention to the adoption OF similar prfnci-
pies TO the driving Of merchant ships and TO large
passenger vessels.