TURBINE BOATS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 120, 23 May 1903, Page 1 (Supplement)

TURBINE BOATS.

The application of the turbine" principle invented by the Hon. C. Parsons, to the propulsion of steamships, bids fair to effect a revolution in the speed wherewith we may be conveyed over the vasty deep. So says Dr. Andrew Wilson. The original "Turbinia," which sped along through the lines of ships at the Naval review, demonstrated what this mode of engineering could accomplish. Messrs Denny, of Dumbarton have launched a turbine steamer for "Clyde service, and it is contemplated to place' similar boats on the crossChannel service. The reduction of the time occupied in crossing from Calais to Dover to an hour would have been regarded as a veritable triumph a few years ago. With a turbine propelled steamer one may easily arrive at Calais in half an hour. From cross-chan-nel steamers to Atlantic liners is but a step, and doubtless engineers will present us with practical demonstration of this possibility within a very few years at most. THP TURBINE PRINCIPLE. The, principle of the turbine boat is the placing of several propelling blades on one shaft. In the "Turbinia" three screws were placed on each shaft and three shafts being in action, the vessel was driven by nine propellers. The machinery is simple as compared with the details of an ordinary marine [engine, the steam acting directly on I turbines which set the propellers in motion. I believe the saving in fuel to say nothing of the doing away with expensive and elaborate machinery incidental to the ordinary type of marine engine, will be found ample to justify the adoption of Parsons motor.