BATTLESHIPS. EXPERIENCE GAINED ON THE JUPITER. 207 



The Jupiter is equipped with only one turbine, uses that up to speeds of 15 knots, and her 

 maneuvering qualities are certainly better than any ship we have in the fleet at present, so 

 I see no reason to doubt the success of maneuvering a battleship with one turbine at low 

 speeds. 



4. The question of personnel has been raised, and not wishing to go into this too deeply, 

 I will simply state that the personnel of the Navy is perfectly capable at the present time of 

 handling electric propulsion on board ship. The mechanics and electricians on the Jupiter 

 were in no way picked out for this duty, but were simply men who were available at that time. 



The Chairman : — Gentlemen, we have come to the conclusion of our set program of 

 papers. I wish the Acting President were here to give you his congratulations on the very 

 interesting character of our meeting. However, you will have an opportunity to see him 

 again to-night. 



Our President, Colonel Thompson, as the Acting President advised you at the opening 

 meeting, is unfortunately detained in Washington by illness. His absence from these meet- 

 ings has been a real disappointment to us, and the Secretary has just handed me a letter 

 from Colonel Thompson, which I will read : — 



Washington, D. C, 



December p, 1914- 

 "Dear Mr. Cox : 



"I have made every effort to attend the meetings, and especially the dinner of The So- 

 ciety of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, but a cruel and unsympathetic doctor has 

 absolutely denied me permission. 



"Will you say to the members present at the meeting, or at the dinner, that I have felt 

 the honor they conferred upon me in making me their president as one of the crowning 

 honors that have come to me in my lifetime, and I have deeply regretted that the condition of 

 my health has made it impossible for me to properly perform my duties. My heart has been 

 in the work ; the spirit has been very willing, but the flesh, alas ! is too weak. 



"Pray present my apologies to all, and extend my best wishes to each and every member 

 for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 



Very truly yours, 



Robert M. Thompson." 



The Chairman : — I feel quite sure that all of us sympathize deeply with Colonel Thomp- 

 son in his illness, and that every one of us greatly regrets that he could not have been with 

 us, and that you will most heartily authorize your Secretary to acknowledge this communica- 

 tion, reciprocating the good wishes of Colonel Thompson, and expressing our very deep re- 

 gret at his inability to be present. 



Gentlemen, the meeting is now adjourned sine die. I trust that we will all see each 

 other again at our dinner at seven o'clock this evening. 



The meeting then adjourned. 



