Marine Steam Turbines.
In 1894 Mr. Parsons launched his “Turbinia,” the first steamer to be driven by a turbine. Her record was so gratifying that a succession of vessels, similarly equipped, were year by year built for excursion lines, for transit across the British Channel, for the British Royal Navy, and for mercantile marine service. The thirty-fifth of these ships, the “Victorian” of the Allan Line, was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean, arriving at Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 18, 1905. She was followed by the “Virginian” of the same line which arrived at Quebec, May 8, 1905. Not long afterward the Cunard Company sent from Liverpool to New York the “Carmania” equipped with steam turbines, and in every other respect like the “Caronia” of the same owners, which is driven by reciprocating engines of the best model. Thus far the comparison between these two ships is in favor of the “Carmania.” The new monster Cunarders, the “Lusitania” and the “Mauretania,” each of 70,000 horse-power, are to be propelled by steam turbines. The principal reasons for this preference are thus given by Professor Carl C. Thomas:—
Decreased cost of operation as regards fuel, labor, oil, and repairs.
Vibration due to machinery is avoided.
Less weight of machinery and coal to be carried, resulting in greater speed.
Greater simplicity of machinery in construction and operation, causing less liability to accident and breakdown.
Smaller and more deeply immersed propellers, decreasing the tendency of the machinery to race in rough weather.
Lower centre of gravity of the machinery as a whole, and increased headroom above the machinery.
According to recent reports, decreased first cost of machinery.[39]
[39] “Steam Turbines,” by Carl C. Thomas, professor of marine engineering, Cornell University, a comprehensive and authoritative work, fully illustrated. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1906. $3.50.
CHAPTER XXXI
MOTIVE POWERS PRODUCED WITH NEW ECONOMY—Continued. HEATING SERVICES
Producer gas . . . Mond gas . . . Blast furnace gases . . . Gas engines . . . Steam and gas engines compared . . . Diesel oil engine best of all . . . Gasoline motors . . . Alcohol engines . . . Steam and gas motors united . . . Heat and power production combined . . . District steam heating . . . Isolated plants . . . Electric traction and other great services . . . Gas for a service of heat, light and power.