New-York tribune., 1920-08-28
Schwab Announces
New Oil Engine for
Merchant Marine
U. S. Entry Into Field, Hith-
erto Under Domination
of Europeans, Expected to
Aid Shipping's Advance

Invention and successful operation
Of a type of marine Diesel engine
which Is said to represent far greater
advance over the oil-burning steam
ship than the latter is over the
coal-tired steamship is announced by
Charles M. Schwab as chairman OF
the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The
new engine is described as triumph
Tor American engineering skill in a
field hitherto dominated by Europeans
while the engine is adapted to land
use as we'll as in cargo vessels of any
size, it Is in the latter direction that
Its utilization is expected to be more
largely employed, and its economical
features are expected to make it an
important factor in the development
OF the merchant marine. In addition to
engines twice it's size, it is elaine d
that it can effect a saving of two
thirds in fuel, compared with steam
driven, oil-fired vessels. The new en-
gine has been developed by the Bethle-
hem Steel Corporation and the Bethle-
hem Shipbuilding Corporation.
In statement issued yesterday by
Mr.: Schwab he says:
AT time when the American peo-
pie have expressed through Congre IS
their desire that the American mer-
chant marine, built up during the war
at q cost of SR.ooo,oo0,0oO shall remain
on the seas, and shall expand to take
care of the commerce of the nation, it
is particularly gratifying to be able
TO say that American inventive skill
has found the means of solving one
OF the biggest problems that to-day
iaces. the owner and operator of
American ships-the problem of re-
duclng operating costs.
The development Of the new Beth
lehem fuel-saving Diesel engine repre-
sents two distinctive phases of ad-
vance in marine enginee ring.
Il. For the first time an internal
combustion heavy oil engine for
either marine or land uses has been
perfected, which is not only de-
signed and built by Americans, but is
bullt especially for Americans, and
is adapted to American operating
conditions.
"2 For the first time a two-cycle
internal ombustion heavy oil engine
has been perfected which produces
the same horsepower as a four-cyclc
engine practically twice it's size. and
is at the same time adapted to large
cargo ships, while saving two-thirds
IN fuel cost alone, as compared with
steam driven, oil-fred vessels.
Neither Of these DEVELOPMENTS is
theoretically new idea. For years
Europeans have successfully operated
large ships with Diesel engines. The
achievement of Arthur West, the Beth
lehem designer, who is at the head
OF our power department, is in the
nf ho
American operation and in the perfec-
tion for practical use in cargo vessels
of any size.
The success of this engine has
already been demonstrated in two
ways. 1t was installed and operated
tor ten months Is part of the power
plant of the Bethlehem Steel Corpora
tion at Bethlehem, Pa. 1t was then
installed in our new ore carrying yes
sci, the Cubore, which to-day com
pleted on regular schedule time It's
first voyage to Cuba and return.
The operation Of the engine at the
Bethlehem plant was so successful that
we are building another one to take
its place as part Of the auxiliary powe
plant for the steel mills. Its opera
ton on the Cubcre not only demon
strated its practicablity, but it's re-
markable economy. The Cubore made
the voyage from Sparrows Point, Md,
to Cuba and back without stopping
her engines, except to come into port,
and consumed one-third of the amount
Of fuel oil ordinarily used bv her
sister vessels fitted with oil-burning
steam machinery of the usual type
when running on this same voyage and
at much greater rate of economy
than has been achieved by any other
Diesel engine operated ship of which
we have any record.
1--WE also have in service between
here and Cuba duplicate ships, except
that some are fitted with turbine re-
duction gears and some with recipro-
eating engines. SO that we have q
direct comparison between the oil en-