240 THE PROPELLING MACHINERY OF THE U. S. S. LEVIATHAN. 



VICE-DIRKCTORS DENY COLLISION. 



Vice-Directors J. P. Meyer and W. G. Sickel gave out a statement last evening to cor- 

 rect exaggerated statements about the incident. It said in part : "The damage done in the 

 Southern-Pacific slip was not caused by any collision with the steamship Vaterland, as she 

 never touched any boats, or the pier. It was caused entirely by the swash in turning the 

 ship about. Outside of the sunken coal barge the damage will be covered by a few thou- 

 sand dollars. No official statement can be made as to the cause of the vessel coming so close 

 to the New York side while turning until an investigation, upon her arrival in Hamburg, 

 can be held. The statement that the vessel left her pier at high speed is not correct. The 

 usual precautions when leaving were observed. It seems unfortunate that any suggestions 

 should be made regarding a speed contest between the Vaterland and the Mauretania. The 

 very emphatic denial by our company, made recently, defines our position." 



There was a throng at the Hamburg-American Line pier to see the Vaterland start 

 on her first outward journey, and the heat, greater under the lee of the Hudson hills than 

 elsewhere, caused two women to faint. 



Before the lines were cast off Commodore Ruser said that there would probably be 

 no strike of the stewards. It was understood that they had had a conference with the com- 

 modore and that he had told them he would do what he could for them after the arrival 

 of the liner in Hamburg. The firemen, it was understood, had similar assurances. 



The Vaterland has 515 first cabin passengers, 302 second cabin, and more than 1,000 

 in her third cabin and steerage. 



Mr. E. H. Peabody, Member: — There should be some expression of the membership 

 of the Society in regard to this very interesting paper. It is historic, and Mr. Anderson 

 has done us a great service in giving us a paper like this. 



Mr. SpERRy: — How much was left of the machinery in working order? Could they 

 have gotten home with the machinery as you found it ? The forward engines were suffi- 

 cient with which to send her to sea? 



Mr. Anderson : — In reply to Mr. Spefry's question in regard to just how much of 

 the propelling machinery was left in working order, I have pleasure in saying that the ahead 

 turbines were found intact, and leaving out of consideration any question of using the astern 

 turbines, the ahead turbines were perfectly capable of developing full power, namely, 80,000 

 to 90,000 shaft horse-power. 



We did not open out the large low-pressure ahead turbines, but we were able to gc 

 inside and thoroughly examine the blading, and this was found to be in capital working 

 order. 



We were very anxious to have the turbine rotors turned with the turning gear, but 

 this gear was found to be badly broken, and it took some time before repairs were made, 

 which allowed us to move the mid-pressure rotor, and on July 10 we had the satisfaction 

 of seeing this turbine revolve freely in both directions. In the case of the low-pressure 

 turbines, we were not able to move these rotors until the middle of October, because the 

 turning gear is connected to the line shafting at the aft end of the low-pressure astern tur- 

 bines, and these engines were being overhauled and repaired. 



