THE CONQUEST OF TIME AND SPACE 



There is, however, another danger that cannot be over- 

 looked, and which marine architects must take into 

 constant account. What we have already seen has made 

 it clear that the revolving wheel of the Schlick gyroscope, 

 to be effective, must bear an appreciable relation to the 

 mass of the entire ship. Such a weight, revolving at a 

 terrific speed and oscillating like a tremendous pendulum, 

 obviously represents an enormous store of energy. It 

 was estimated by Professor Lambert that a gyroscope of 

 sufficient size to render even a Channel steamer stable 

 would represent energy equal to fifty thousand foot- 

 pounds — making it comparable, therefore, to an enor- 

 mous projectile. Should such a gyroscope in action 

 break loose from its trunnions, it would go through the 

 ship with all the devastating effect of a monster cannon- 

 ball. 



The possibility of such a catastrophe is perhaps the 

 one thing that will cause naval architects to go slowly in 

 the adoption of the new device. We can hardly suppose 

 that the difficulties represented are insuperable, but un- 

 doubtedly a long series of experiments will be necessary 

 before the Schlick gyroscope will come into general use. 

 The apparatus has been tested, however, on a German 

 coast steamer. It may not be very long before craft of 

 the size of Channel steamers and boats that go to Cuba 

 and the Bermudas are equipped with the device. 

 Naturally enough, this prospect excites the liveliest 

 popular interest. Visions of pleasant ocean voyages 

 come before the mind's eye of many a voyager who 

 hitherto has dreaded the sea. 



But whatever the future of the gyroscope as applied 

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