The Nome nugget., 1927-10-08
NORTHLAND Is ESPECIALLY
 FOR WORK IN ARCTIC
Is Propelled by Electric Motor and Magnetic Clutch, and other Im- proved Appliances.

Those who are little versed in engineering may not fully grasp the significance of the fact that the |. S. Coast Guard Cutter North land possesses two 4-eycle air-in- jection Mcintosh & Seymour Diesel engines, driving two electric gener- ators which operate the main motor of the ship connected with a single four-blade propeller. protected az ainst damage by q magnetic clutch but none can fail to appreciate the fact that the Northland with it's ultra modern motor power is a pio- neer. setting forth to meet the test of experience, which alone can age of its equipment.
 According to engineering author ities. the electrically driven motor power of the Nbrthland should i have great advantages over the Die sel direct drive generally in use, especially in the isolated waters where the ship will spend eight months of every year. while the clutch provides d safeguard never before dreamed of by marine engin- eers. The chief advantage of the Northland's system of motor power lies in the ease with which the ! ship can be navieated on half pow CT, or as one of the engineers on board pu; it. "th. greater tieNibil- ity oi maneuverins which is ob i tained by he various combinations of dynamos. engines and motors which can be utilized, an invaluable asset in the performance of the duties 10 which the ship has been assigned in a district far removed from repair stations"
 Explaining further the engineer equipped with TWO Diesel engines driving two direct current genera tors which in turn drive the double armature motor connected with single propeller. the engine and generator being so arranged that one combination can drive the mot or if the other is out of order with very little loss of speed and no ac- companying difficulties in naviga tion. whereas in the direct Diesel drive the engines are connected di- rectly with two propellers, both of which are necessary to the easy navigatio of the vessel. If either engine becomes disabled. in the lat ter arrangement. the progress of the ship is slowed considerably and no little difficulty is experienced in steering due to the one-sided pro- polling force.
 All of the auxiliary machinery of the Northland is electrically driven. In fact. electricity is used for every thing except the heating of the rooms. Sufficient spare parts are carried aboard to repair the main machinery while the ship is under way.
 The dynamo system consists of two main generators already men toned. two exciters or small gen. orators which produce the current for the excitation of the main gen orators and motors and four aux Hilary generators. making eight in all.
 The operation of the magnetic clutch, a new invention designed by the General Electric Company. is fascinating in it's simplicity. Lo- cated between the motor and the propeller shaft the clutch consists of two face plates with brake lin- ing between. Bolts holding them in place are removed when the clutch is in operation. A magnetic field of contact pressure exists be- tween the two face plates through the brake lining. which causes them to rotate in unison when the bolts are removed. The magnetic field i So adjusted that the moment the propeller strikes heavy object, bringing to bear more pressure from without than from within. the connection between the motor and propeller Is cleared or automatically