Popular Science Monthly 



405 



The turrets are rotated by turning engines or motors which move them on 

 rollers lying in a circular path. The revolving turret was invented in 1841 



Some ships have electrical galleys in which 

 the cooking, dishwashing, paring of pota- 

 toes and practically all work is done by 

 electricity. The chief cook is an expert 

 electrician. On the Arizona they find oil- 

 burning galleys more economical. 



Landlubber — What advantages has the 

 oil-fuel ships over the coal-burning? 



Major Evans — The space formerly re- 

 quired for coal bunkers is now available for 

 greater crew space. The oil-burners are 

 more flexible of control in increasing or 

 reducing speed and are practically smoke- 

 less. The crew is free from the bugbear of 

 coaling ship. This ship carries twenty- 

 three hundred tons of oil fuel. 



Landlubber — You mentioned the ma- 

 rines. What do they do? 



Major Evans — Originally marines were 

 employed aboard men-of-war to put down 

 mutinies. Today their duties are almost 

 identical with those of the bluejacket's. 

 For all landing parties the marines, being 

 trained soldiers as well, "hit the beach" 

 first. In battle they man the torpedo 

 defense guns, help supply ammunition to 

 the turret guns and do other duties. Those 

 not with the fleet either guard our Navy 

 yards or are held in battalions or regiments 

 for expeditionary service. Each battleship 

 has a captain and lieutenant of marines and 



accommodates about seventy-five marines. 



Landlubber— I hope you don't mind 

 my asking why the trousers of a sailor flare 

 out so at the bottom. 



Major Evans — That's a sensible query. 

 With the "bell" or "spring" bottom he can 

 easily roll his trousers above his knees 

 when washing decks. The three narrow 

 white stripes on his collar are inherited 

 from the stripes worn by the British blue- 

 jacket in commemoration of Nelson's three 

 great sea victories. The black kerchief is 

 supposed to have been first worn as 

 mourning at Nelson's death. 



Landlubber — Where is the captain 

 stationed in battle? 



Major Evans — The conning tower is his 

 battle station. A complete steering and 

 communication system is contained in its 

 1 6-inch walls, and armored tubes also con- 

 nect it with the protective deck to prevent 

 these systems from being crippled in action. 



Landlubber — What do you call this 

 mast that looks like a waste basket upside 

 down? 



Major Evans — The military or fire- 

 control mast. It is made of steel tubing so 

 that one successful shot cannot carry it 

 away like the old solid mast. It carries the 

 fire control communications and signals, 

 and the wireless. 



