COMING ERA OF MOTOR SHIPS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7979, 9 December 1911, Page 11

COMING ERA OF MOTOR SHIPS

IT is no secret that where smaller craft are considered, the internal combustion motor some time ago established itself as a potential factor in marine locomotion. Gradually, size of engine and boat has increased. But if leading shipbuilders are to bo believed—and there is no reason to doubt their statements—tho maritime world is on the eve of a revolution with the combustion engine paving tho way for a new kind of ship and x>rox>ulsiou, bringing with it a saving iu'’operating cost and an increased earning capacity through, greater cargo space through an entire absence of coal for fuel.

As long ago as 1901 —and this is a long time where dates relative to invention are concerned—the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia awarded to Dr Rudolf Picsel of Munich, Bavaria, the Elliot Cressqn gold medal for the great service he rendered mankind by inventing his oil engine. Recently Dr Diesel assured the Institution of Naval Architects of Great Britain that, unknown to even those who should he x>osted on such matters, hundreds of vessels were being fitted with oil engines. There are now on the stocks in England two vessels, one. a freight carrier of 3200 tons, and the other a passenger ship of 5000 tons, the latter with, oil engines capable of develox>ihg a speed of twelve ..knots an hour. But the largest mercantile motor ships is a freighter which is to have oil engines of 3000 horse-power, and a tonnage of 9000 tons. This motor ship is expected, to be put in commission within a few months by the Hamburg-American line.

While tho Diesel engine belongs to the internal-combustion class there is, however, a difference between the oil engine and the gasoline engine. This difference is rather of the technical order, and does not contradict the fact that in both instances saving of space and other econo-

raic ■ advantages over coal are marked. What tho motor ship of the future will bo like is yet but guesswork, but there is hardly any use denying that maritime propulsion is entering on a new era and that tho present employment of oil as fuel for motive power promises things merely hinted at now.