174 REFUELING WARSHIPS AT SEA. 



Experiments at the testing station have been made in an endeavor to determine 

 the interval of time between the slackening of the cable and the starting of the en- 

 gine. No one has been able to measure the interval. To all intents, and purposes it 

 is instantaneous. 



. In addition to the automatic control of the tension fluctuations, the engine is 

 provided with means for manually regulating the tension. The hand- wheel shown in 

 Figs. 9 and 1 1, Plates 63 and 65, serves to control the amount of tension in the main 

 cable. The top moved in one way increases the tension and in the other way de- 

 creases it. In practice, therefore, after the main cable has been secured to the bat- 

 tleship, the operator turns this wheel by degrees, gradually increasing the working 

 tension of the main cable. An indicator on the engine shows what tension is being 

 maintained at the time. 



USES OF THE AUTOMATIC TENSION ENGINE. 



Some of the military uses of the automatic tension engine are as follows : — 



1. In connection with the marine cableway for coaling warships in a seaway. 



2. Supporting an oil hose between two ships fuel bunkering at sea. 



3. In connection with the marine breeches-buoy apparatus for life saving at sea. 



4. Salvage work. 



5. Landing guns ashore (see Fig. 17, Plate 68). 



6. Sweeping for mines. 



COALING AT SEA IN HALF A GALE OF WIND. 



The author's paper before this Society in 1904 dealt with the marine cableway 

 experiments by the British Admiralty (Fig. 13, Plate 66). Of these trials the Lon- 

 don Times in March, 1902, said: — 



"Capt. A. R. Wonham, who is in charge of the experiments, yesterday re- 

 ported results to the Admiralty and further trials will now probably be ordered, the 

 practicability of coaling at sea having been fully demonstrated. * * * During 

 the experiments with the Empress of India there was a moderate sea and a wind of 

 force five; and the result was regarded, as highly satisfactory. * * * At a 

 speed of about 10 knots the course was altered several times to test the strain on the 

 cableway and then coaling began. During this operation the squadron of 17 ships 

 in two lines passed on either side of the Trafalgar and Muriel to afford the officers 

 an opportunity of witnessing the work and in a few days the experiment was 

 repeated." 



The British Admiralty was the first to invite a proposal for a trial marine cable- 

 way after the first marine cableway succeeded in coaling the U. S. S. Massachusetts 

 at sea. The British Admiralty said they required a coaling-at-sea gear for a battle- 

 ship. They wished to coal at sea from chartered colliers. The British Admiralty 

 owns only one collier, the Mercedes, 9,900 tons. 



