A VIEW OF THE ENGINE-ROOM.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14917, 16 March 1914, Page 9

A VIEW OF THE ENGINE-ROOM.

An inspection of the engine-room of tho Cairnross is full of interest, though to tlio layman, there ia comparatitely little to be seen. Tho turbine engines, »* compared with those of tho Wahine or 31aori, ;vre quite small. The turbines f> ro in tho contro of tho enpincroom, tho high-prossure on the starboard side, and immediately behind them is n. huge round stoel casing enclosing tho groat, coupled t<) tho propeller shaft. The pinions which transniii tho power of tho turbines to the shaft are only about six inches in tlbmetor. but the big gear-wheel which they drive is 12ft in diameter, and weighs 22 tons, reducing the 1700 revolutions of the former to tho 65 revolutions of the propeller shaft. Tho teeth of the gearing, cut helically, like the rifling of a Run. an> only about half an inch deep, and are most accurately cut by means of special machinery, as they have to cany tho .stresses and strains of 1000 shaft horsepower m all .weathers and conditions. The strains are eajsed somewhat by flexible 'ouplinss in both turbine shafts, and efficient and liberal lubrication is provided by means of a huge oil tanlt set about 20ft above the pear-box, the oi! flowing irom pipes directly between tho gearing, and carried round inthe teoth in a continual oil-bath. When tho steamer vs at full-speed there ts very httle noise from the gearingnothing moro than a pleasant whistling sound. For manoeuvring purposes, <ta astern turbine is embodied in tlie same casing with tho low-pressure turbine.