New-York tribune., 1921-02-21
Oil Turbines
For Ships Seen
AsBig Economy
Leading Swedish Sl,ipowner
Says They VIII Surpass
Present Type of DieseIs
in Bringing About Saving
Higher Speed Is Expected
More Cargo Space Given by
sUse, Says AxeI Johnson;
Fuel Cost Much Reduced

New developments in regard TO the
r,opuision of vessels may result in
GREATER economies in ship operation
thsn anything yet attained in this di-
rection.
4xel johnson. head of the Johnson
Y;ne and one of the largest owners OF
swedish shipping, regards the newly
1arpleted oil turbine as more econoni-
ri even than the present types of
Diesel engines
Mr.. johnson, who has Just finished
. visit to this country, sailed For home
saturday on the newest vessel of his
jine. the motorship Buenos Aires, OF
scout 5000 tons lightweight, Accord
mo TO Lloyd's Register, the johnson
Tine is composed of ten motor vessels
snd fourteen steamers, but all the
sbips acquired within the last few
wears have been Dieselrengiued. TIE
Ruenos Ayres is one of the few motor
vessels in the world with accommoda-
tions for passengers,
Oil Turbines Ready for Use
After prolonged experiments dating
hack to the pre-war period the first
commercial oil turbine has been COM
nleted and is undergoing tests at the
works OF the manufacturers, Thyssen
Co.. Mulheim, Germany. This tur-
bine. which is Of 500 horsepower, was
constructed to the order Of the Prus4
sian State Railways for the supply of
electric power. An entirely similar
turbine is to be installed in snip.
"The oil turbine" says Mr.. Johnson
awili have many advantages over the
present type Of Diesels. It is lighter
and would occupy less space, thereby
giving more room for cargo. And III
addition it will make greater speed pos
sibe
"ft is regrettable that the Americans
( have not gone in more for oil engines
in connection with shipping. This
country is best placed in this respect
because the bulk of the worlds oil sup
ply is right here.
aDiesel-engined ships have stood III
excellently under service. Our oldest
one has been running for eight years
aow and We have never had any trouble
with IT, Insurance rates are aS low
or lower than other types of vessel
and the admitted economies OF man!
kinds make the motorship the only ONT
that can be run at profit at the leve
Of ocean freights in force to-day"
No Fuel Coal for Voyage
The experience Of the Buenos Aire
On her present trip is cited as an eX
ample Of the advantages of the motor
ship. She took aboard 1900 tons o
fuel oil as San Francisco and arrived
at New York with 1850 tons. She viii
.sReed about $50 tons to go to Stock
holm and back, leaving surplus
after allowing for an emergencies, OF
over 900 tons, which will be sold II
Sweden.
This fuel cost about $50 per ton al
San Francisco, making the total cost
100000 As the 500 tons to be sole
in Sweden will bring in about $50, 900
the vessels fuel for the voyage viii
cost nothing whatever.
When she left here the Bueno:
Aires was carrying 5000 tons of grain
IN addition to fuel on loaded dis
placement Of 1880 tons. In othe,
words, officials OF the Johnson Lint
state she has almost 1000 tons more
cargo than an oil-fred steamship OF
the same dimensions. requiring muci
greater consumption OF fuel, coulC
carry Her total engine room crew
consists of fourteen men only.
New York is not . regular port o.
call for the Buenos Aires, which pile.
from Sweden via the Panama Canal tt
the west coast OF South America ant
United States Pacific ports. Her tril
10 TINS city was. made to pick up Mr.
Johnson, who had come overland BY
raj from San Francisco.