ROTOR-SHIP AT WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 20

ROTOR-SHIP AT WORK

SIX MONTHS' EXPERIENCE OF

THE BARBARA

The "Berliner Tageblatt" quotes as follows from tho report given by Captain S. Lohmann at the German Shipping Congress recently on the experience attained with the rotor-ship Barbara :— "There is nothing discouraging in the experience of the journeys so far made by the Barbara. On the contrary, they give definite hope that the rotors will become an economical means of propulsion with a decided future, especially for freighters of some size working to distant ports. The development will naturally be gradual, from step to step. Just as the Diesel motor gradually worked its way into recognition in marine engineering, and lias still fresh worlds to conquer in overseas shipping, so the application of rotor propulsion to the types of vessel and of shipping service for which it is adapted will take place by gradual stages, while constructional improvements will accumulate, especially in regard to simplification and cheapening.

"Already a number of doubts expressed as to the practicability of the rotor system have been definitely cleared away as a result of the past runs of the Barbara. The aluminium rotors have shown themselves fully capable of withstanding the heavy storms met with in the Bay of Biscay and tho Gulf of Lyons with wind pressures of 10 to 12. Nor are the rotors affected by rolling and pitching, or in any way a detriment to stability. The actual results of the runs made show that even with light wind and frequent changes of course to. suit the rotors, in 4fi per cent, of the days of actual steaming an average increase of speed of two knots has been attained through the rotors; with favourable winds the increase has b-jn up to 3J knots. Before the Barbara was put into commission it was often maintained that thr rotor system could make no use of a wind abaft; but the Barbara lias shown that a rotorship is in no way inferior in this respect to a modern sailing vessel.

"Since she was put into service in August last the Barbara has been running continuously. There lias not been a single case of substantial damage. The rotor system has shown good serviceability, and with careful development it promises a great future, though only as an auxiliary means of propulsion."