Of these, one, the Queen, is to the order of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Co. She will be 310 feet long and 40 feet broad; and she is to maintain a speed of at least 21 knots. The average time occupied at present on the passage between Dover and Calais is 65 minutes, but the new vessel is expected to reduce the time to 50 or even 45 minutes.
The mode of propulsion is practically the same as that on the Queen Alexandra, namely, three shafts carrying five propellers.
The other Channel steamer referred to as being built is intended for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Co.’s service between Newhaven and Dieppe. Her dimensions are, length 280 feet, beam 34 feet, draft 22 feet; with a gross tonnage of 1,100 tons.
The Emerald, one of the three yachts referred to at the beginning of this chapter, is the first vessel fitted with turbine machinery that ever crossed the Atlantic. She arrived at New York, after encountering tempestuous weather on the passage, on the 6th May, 1903. Her qualities as a sea-boat were severely tested during the voyage, with entirely satisfactory results. She was built for Sir Christopher Furness, M.P., by Messrs. Alex. Stephen & Sons, Limited, of Linthouse, and fitted with machinery by the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co., Limited, of Wallsend-on-Tyne, and it was found that when the yacht was steaming at the rate of 15 knots per hour, the machinery ran with an absence of vibration and noise.
The Emerald is a vessel of 756 tons, yacht measurement, and was chartered by Mr. Geo. Gould, of New York, for six months from the 15th April, 1903. Mr. Gould sent over to this country Captain Tod to navigate her across the Atlantic, with instructions to further experiment on her steaming capabilities at sea, and to carefully observe her behaviour compared with the other large steam yachts of which he has had charge. On the termination of the voyage, Captain Tod reported that the yacht behaved splendidly; that there was no racing of propellers, and no vibration; and that the coal consumption was moderate, considering the weather.
There have been several rumours to the effect that the new steamers for the Cunard Mail Service are to be fitted with turbine engines, but these rumours have not been officially confirmed. In any case these steamers could not be completed in time to take from the Allan Line the distinction of being the first Company to own a Transatlantic Mail Turbine Steamship.
Sir ALFRED L. JONES, K.C.M.G. and W. J. DAVEY, Esq.
The
History of Steam Navigation.