New-York tribune., 1921-12-03
Saving on u. S.
Ships Seen in
Motor Power
Further Economics Should
Be Made on American YES
sells, Is View of f. C.. Mum
SON and Other Operators
Building Cost Is Handicap
Diesel Engine Declared To
Be Most Economical Form
OF Power on Medium Ships

niiaouhcenehV from the Shipping
Board that twenty vessels will be sold
on the condition that motor propulsion
IS installed has met with approval
among steamship men. This is in line
with the suggestion made recently by
Frank c.. Muuson, president of the
Munson Steamship Lines, that the in
stallation of Diesel engines by the
board would increase the value of the
best ships and would prove to be an
economy for the government 1t is
found that the motor drive on ships
Of as much as 10000 and 1900 dead
weight tons and eleven knots is the
most efficient form of power, according
to Mr.. Munson.
Mr.. Munson estimates that the cost
of fuel usually is about 30 per cent
OF the operating expenses and that this
item on a motor ship of $500 tons is
about one-third of that on a similar
oil-burning vessel. He has made 9 COM
parative' study of the two forms of
power. showing that the Diesel engine
or internal combustion motor will use
eight tons of oil a. day, compared with
thirtytwo on an Oil burner. The oil
for the motor ship is of better grade
and more expensive, but despite this
the cost is placed at $50 for the motor
vessel and s270 for the other type
daily.
Munson Sees Economy
Mr.. Munson yesterday gave a fur
ther explanation of his proposition that
the Shipping Board equip its best ves-
sells with Diesel engines before selling
them. He said that the installation of
internal combustion motors would cost
40 to so per cent more on small ships
and 2o to 80 per cent more on larger
vessels, but that the saving will justify
the additional expense. The cost would
be more than Offset by the greater sales
value, in his opinion.
"The ships are worth practically
nothing to-day as there is no market
fer them Mr.. Munson said. "My idea
is that the board should go about the
motors only when they have found pur-
chasers for the ships. This might go
on from year to year until the feet is
sold. improvements are being made
from month to month in Diesel engines
and this in itself would make it in
advisable for the board to make whole
sale changes.
with an appropriation of s5,0oO,oo
to 2o.000.O00 the board could make its
vessels marketable. There seems to be
. marked change in the attitude of
Congress in the last month and I be-
lieve this sum could be obtained.
Effective Up to 10000 Tons
"The motor ship is the most eco
nomical vessel to-day. The Diesel en-.
CINE has been used effectively on ships
up to 10000 and 10000 deadweight
tons, not over eleven knots and up to
1000 horsepower. Above these ranges
other types of engines are preferable.'
Mr.. Munson takes the view that gov
ernment assistance should be extended
to American vessels to Offset the higher
wages and cost of construction in
American yards, but that in other
items ships under the United States
flag are not especially handicapped. He
approves the enforcement of prefer
entail railroad rates.
Winthrop L. Marvin, -presiden,
Of the American Steamship Owners
Association, has compiled figures tc
show that the building cost in Ameri-
can yards under normal conditions is
about 40 per cent above foreign prices
as follows: