THE SHIP AND HER COMPLEMENT 



19 



The vesseFs length was about 80 metres (266 ft.), the width about ir 

 metres (34 ft.), and the draught about 3.5 metres (11 ft.). The main 

 machinery consisted of two Parson's geared high-pressure and low-pres- 

 sure turbines with a combined horsepower of 2,000. The ship had two 

 oil-fired boilers and two three-bladed propellers. On two boilers her 

 maximum speed was 12 knots. On one boiler she did eight knots, a more 

 economic speed at which we normally travelled when only short distances 

 separated the scientific stations. On longer cruises we usually did 12 

 knots. Fouling of the ship's bottom, which in the Tropics is both intense 

 and rapid, would entail an average loss of one knot. Our oil reserves were 

 314 tons, and our action range at an economic speed about 6,000 nautical 

 miles, corresponding to about 32 days' sailing. The electric equipment 

 consisted of two steam engines for use when under way and one diesel 

 dynamo used when in port. An up-to-date radio installation enabled 

 us to maintain contact with home throughout the voyage. In addi- 

 tion to the standard magnetic compasses, the navigational equipment 

 and gear included steering and main compass, a gyro compass, a Decca 

 radar, Sperry Loran equipment, a direction finder, and an Atlas naviga- 

 tional echo-sounder. She carried no armament other than three 57-milli- 

 metre salute guns. 



Reconditioning and fitting out as an oceanic research vessel took 



A view of the engine-room. 

 The Galathea's turbines made 

 10,000,000,000 revolutions 

 during the voyage. 



