A WORD FOR THE TURBINE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 140, 11 June 1909, Page 3

A WORD FOR THE TURBINE.

Speaking after a four years' experience of Parsons' marine; steam-tur-bine, from a superintendent engineer's point of view, Mr G.J.-Black-more, of the Isle of Man Company, referring particularly to their steamer, says that the small amount of trouble and anxiety involved in the maintenance of this class of engine, as compared with the big paddlers, has astonished him. The turbine steamer gives no trouble whatever. She comes in and goes out, and nothing in the way of repairs is required throughout the season. Take this one item alone—the paddle-steamer Empress Queen, of 10,000 indicated horse-power, which is still doing excellent work, is propelled by two wheels weighing together about 140 tons, the power being transmitted through two shafts 30in. in diameter. The Ben-my-Chree "is propelled by three screw-propellers of the total weight of 4J tons, the shafts, being 9in. in diameter. The disparity between the weights of the^ paddlewheels and screw-propellers indicates to a very large etxent the difference in the trouble and cost of upkeep of the two classes of engines. , In .comparing turbine-steamers with ofdinary reciprocating twin-screw Channel steamers, there are two points in particular which may be noted in favor of the former: (1) Regularity of speed and economy of fuel in bad weather, the propellers being always well" immersed and racing being quite unknown; (2) capacity for developing the maximum power at any time without undue strain. The steam-turbine responds at once to the increased demand made upon it whenever^ an extra push is required, whereas, when that time comes with a reciprocating engine you have abnormal bearing pressures and choking of steam passagos, which absorbs a lot of power and causes increased anxiety to those in charge. Only those who have experienced the stress when pressed to the utmost limit can fully appreciate the contrast presented by the quiet, steady working of a turbine, and our best thanks are due to the; Hon. C. A. Parsons for his worry-saving invention.—Engineering. . .