Sir Charles Parsons 173 



lubrication, and that the steam strikes on each part of the 

 engine at a constant temperature. Its disadvantage is 

 that unless the highest possible number of revolutions is 

 attained there is a leakage of steam, which therefore fails 

 to yield up the whole of its energy. 



Charles Parsons constructed his first turbine in 1884-85 

 at the works of Messrs Clarke, Chapman, Parsons and Co., 

 at Gateshead, and this original machine is to-day in the 

 South Kensington Museum. It was of what is called the 

 ' parallel flow ' type, and in the patent which covers it it 

 is stated that the steam operates in successive stages, 

 " undergoing expansion, and falling in pressure in each, 

 until it leaves the last at a velocity not greatly above that 

 which is practically attainable by the motor itself." 



In this machine the rotor was built up of rings of gun- 

 metal strung on a central shaft. The blades were cut at 

 an angle of about forty-five degrees out of the solid metal 

 on the edges of the rings, yet even as early as this the 

 inventor hinted that " in some cases it may be convenient 

 to make the blades of sheet metal and to secure them in 

 suitable grooves or recesses in the rings/ ' and that " other 

 forms of blades may be employed." At a later date it 

 was found that curved blades were much more efficient. 



This small turbine was coupled to an electric generator 

 and used for experimental w T ork. The first trouble was 

 that the pedestals heated, causing the blades to foul the 

 casing, but this was soon overcome. The next problem 

 was to find the right form of blade. In 1888 curved 

 blades were used and were found to be a great improve- 

 ment. 



The first Parsons turbine to be put into commercial 

 use was built for the Cambridge Electrical Power Station 

 in the year 1892. Professor — afterward Sir Alfred — Ewing 

 w T as deputed to test this engine. He came full of doubts, 

 but remained to bless. 



" It was," as Sir Charles said recently, " a red-letter day 



