New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-10-17

another compartment where we view the machine
which generates the electrical current which turns
the propellers.
This is the turbO- generator section. There are
two turbo-generatOrs consisting of IL steam tur'
bine direct. connected to II powerful generator.
This generator is operated by the steam turbine
and produces the current we have been seeking
Each of the turbo- generators produces li!OW
horsepower. In technical language this spot with
in the ship is known us the power plant.
The turbine is an essential part of this plant. II
illustrates another advantage of the electric drive.
A steam turbine to operate mt its maximum ETH
cheney must revolye Mt n relatively high speed,
say 1000 revolutions per minute. On the other
hand, the propeller TO be most efficient, must re-
volve with comparative sowness, say 200 revolu-
tions per minute. This is because If the prOpellers
reyolved at high speed they would merely churn up
the water and fail to drive the vessel ahead.
Now electricity acts as II connecting link be
tween This h~ighspeed .Irbine and the low-speed
motor which drives the propelIers. Mechanical
gears. which in the turbine driven vessel have
been used 10 reduce the turbine speed down to n
suitable propeller speed. are entirely eliminated,
and the necessary reduction accomplished by sim
pie electrical means. Moreover the operating
units of vital Importance are each inclosed in sep,
uraie Matcr-tight compartments. In addition the
machinery is grouped very close to the center OF
the ship ms far as possible away from the sides.
The possibility of so grouping the machinery"
says an officer, "means a greater protection of
the apparatus from shell fire, grounding and col
lision. We might say that this feature. plus the
f~lexibility Of control and the ability to cut of
defective or damaged apparatus, constitutes one
of the essential superiorities of electric drive"
To follow the power route to its source. we must
90 still further forward 10 a point amidships.
Here are nine huge steam boilers, arranged three
in n compartment. They store up the steam I'M
der a pressure of go pounds to the square inch
and deliver Ii to the turbines. The New Mex
leo burns oil instead of coal.
Thus the electrical propulsion equipment of the
New Mexico may he briefly summarized as fol.
lows: Nine steam boilers deliver steam to two
turbines. The two turbines operate two genera.
tors. The two generators produce electrical chr
rent. The electrical current is led through conner
cables 10 a control station where 1t is distributed
and passed on To four big motors. Each of the
four motors turns a propeller and thus the shin
is driven through the water.
The current which the two turbo-generators
produce is used entirely In the actual propulsion
of the vessel. The New Mexico must have add.
tional electrical energy with which TO opera,e
scores Of auxiliary apparatus.
For instance. electric motors operate fine 10.
inch and 14-inch guns. blowers which supply the
ventilation of the ship, electric fans, telepbones
heaters. pumps, refrigerating- machinery, wireless
apparatus. kitchen appliances. laundry eouip.
ment. etc, to say nothing Of the lighting system.
Motor-driven machinery also operates the boar
cranes and the anchor windIass. There are scores
Of storage batteries which stand ready to keen
the electric lights going should the main lighting
system fail. II has been estimated that there are
aboard the New Mexico no less than 30 electric
motors.
Where does the current come from to opera,e
them" We ask. II comes from six auxiIiarv
turbo7generator sets and We find two of them well
nm fovVard fhe how of ff- seSSpl still nm 81
level as the boiler room from which we have iusr
emerged. This turbo-generator. and the Others
similar to it. are responsible for the wonderful
applications of electricity which We will make the
acquaintance Of as we 60 upward through the
New Mexico. There are four separate decks