24 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
Although it was quite rough I accepted the invitation of the chief 
engineer, Mr. Petterson, to inspect his domain, and received per- 
mission to have Mr. Glock accompany us. There is probably no 
aggregation of mechanical devices more complex and compact than 
that of a modern steamer. There are scores of separate engines, 
arranged with the greatest possible economy of space and fitted 
together with the nicety of the parts of a watch. There are pump- 
ing engines, compressors, condensing engines, fans, injectors, dyna- 
mos for oil, steam, water and gas; hydraulic engines for hoisting. 
Electrical power is used in many ways and there is a great switch- 
board for its instant control. Immense turbines actuate the triple 
serews. Away down, far below the level of the sea, are the three 
great shafts, each 1714 inches in diameter and working indepen- 
dently. There is power everywhere, throb and hum and con- 
stant bewildering motion. A powerful fire engine is there ready 
for instant service in case of need. The floors and hand-rails are 
slippery with oil, the narrow steel stairways and ladders lead more 
and more deeply into the bowels of the ship. The vessel is roll- 
ing and staggering in the heavy seas and one has to watch his 
steps carefully to avoid going headlong into the titanic mass of 
steel, moving smoothly and quietly for the most part and with 
grim, irresistible power. 
Below the engines are immense furnaces for burning erude oil 
which is fed by blasts which spray the oil in the form of a fine 
mist, and the heat of from 2,000 to 3,000 degrees is constantly 
maintained. Over 30,000 barrels are burned during each round 
trip from Vancouver to Australia and back. 
We were surprised to see so few men working among the en- 
gines, boilers and furnaces. Hardly more than a half dozen were 
noted during our trip of inspection, and Chief Petterson said that 
by using oil burning furnaces, the labor of at least fifty stokers 
was saved as well as much space and time for re-fueling. There 
is also much less dirt and it is claimed that there is less danger 
from fire than when coal fuel is used. The oil bunkers are easily 
filled and easily trimmed, that is, the weight equally distributed 
on both sides of the vessel. We even peered into the shaft tunnel 
just above the keel of the ship. The chief explained the various 
engines, furnaces, ete. very carefully, but the information was 
more than we could digest all at once and we emerged into the 
upper world with a feeling of bewilderment, although we did re- 
tain a good deal of information that was new and most interesting. 
