LEADING ARTICLES. 



273 



RUDOLF DIESEL. 

 The Inventor of the Diesel Engine. 



The fuel consumption also is almost 

 independent of the human element. 



2. A reduction in the space occupied 

 by the machinery when boilers, conden- 

 sers and essential auxiliaries are taken 

 into account. 



3. When the saving- in fuel is con- 

 sidered, the total \vei<^ht of the machi- 

 nery plus fuel is (omitting certain spe- 

 cial cases) less, and especially so when 

 the power is considerable, or when long 

 voyages without re-fuelling are con- 

 templated. 



4. Constant readiness for work — a 

 few minutes of preparation being all 

 that is necessary. 



5- Xo fuel whatever is e.xiiencled 

 when the machinery is not actual!}' at 

 work — there being no equivalent to 

 "banking fires," or "standing by with 

 steam on the engines." 



6. The fuel (hitherto) used is a bquid, 

 imperishable, widely-distributed, safe, 

 and easily received on board. It has a 

 high calorific value, is self-trimming 

 and " mechanically-stoked." The results 



herefrom are mainly those of conveni- 

 ence and reduction of labour. 



7. Indirect advantages result from 

 the direct ones, but their importance 

 has to be separately assessed for each 

 individual case, and it is not easy to 

 generalise. 



The limitations are chiefly that the 

 type of machinery being comparatively 

 new, specialists of superior knowledge 

 and higher pay are required to tend the 

 engines. 



The marine steam engine is very long 

 suffering and is often capable of work- 

 ing under almost impossible conditions ; 

 it can stand a large amount of neglect 

 without being rendered hors de com- 

 bat. 



In contra-distinction, the Diesel 

 engine ;;///a7 be regarded as a high- 

 grade machine. It works under high 

 pressures, has to be most carefully con- 

 structed, and, to give reliable service, 

 must be maintained in first-class con- 

 dition. 



This makes for high initial cost, and 

 renders it necessary that opportunity be 

 given for a regular routine for main- 

 taining in efficient condition such parts 

 as pistons, piston rings and valves. 



It is chiefly as auxiliary engines that 

 the internal combustion type will be 

 valuable on naval ships. Owing to the 

 peculiar requirements of battleships and 

 cruisers the Diesel engine would not at 

 ])resent be able to replace the turbine, 

 nor can it yet hope to supercede the oil- 

 driven engines of the torpedo destroyers. 



^•■"^ -^'i** 



THE SHIP OF THE FUTURE. 



