DAMAGED TANKERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 274, 19 November 1943, Page 5

DAMAGED TANKERS

NEW SAVING DEVICE Recd. 6.10 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 16. Hundreds of British tankers arc being fitted with a device for ship saving which has already proved to be one of the most important and most successful of the war since it was first used in June, 1942. Many tankers have been brought into port after receiving torpedo damage, which at one time would have caused their complete loss.

The device, which was evolved by Mr. W. J. Nelson, a sea-going engineer, makes use of compressed air to keep water out of fractured tanks. An air line is run the full length of the ship, with a compressor at either end. and if the ship is torpedoed the compressors are brought into operation to force air into the damaged compartments. The inrush of water is checked and then forced out. and the pressure is maintained until the ship is docked foi repairs. The device can also be used for firefighting w’hen the engine-room has been put out of action, a hose pipe being hung over the side and linked with the system to produce a 60-foot jet of water. The system can also be out into use to pump fuel from the tanks if the normal pumping system is put out of action. Another use which was not thought of by Mr. Nelson saved a tanker which was torpedoed in mid-Atlantic. The steering gear was put out of action and the ship’s engineer used the compressor to operate the steering machinery and brought the ship safely to port. The compressor was also used to pump oil fuel to the galley so that the crOw could have hot meals.—B.O.W.