30 DISCUSSION ON MAY MEETING PAPERS. 



during the war. Unfortunately, the geared- turbine installations of many of these vessels 

 were defective and naturally gave trouble, as Mr. Warriner points out. Unfortunately, also, 

 the operation of many geared-turbine installations has been so unspeakably inefficient that 

 the machinery could not be expected to survive. 



There is nothing especially difficult about the operation of geared turbines. They 

 have characteristics whicTi are peculiar to them, like all kinds of machinery, and, if the pre- 

 cautions necessitated thereby are not observed by the operating engineers, trouble results. 

 Nearly all of the trouble with geared turbines has been caused by ignoring absolutely these 

 essential precautions. In this connection I may say that, if an owner does not intend to 

 have geared turbines operated strictly in accordance with their requirements, he will be 

 unwise to put them in his vessel. On the other hand, if he desires to effect large economies 

 and increase the earning power of his vessel substantially, he can do so by using geared tur- 

 bines, but in such cases he must see to it that they are operated properly. Perhaps this may 

 be a little more trouble to start with, but he will be repaid handsomely for his pains. 



Referring to the troubles experienced with geared-turbine vessels due to improper instal- 

 lation and operation, and especially to the conditions during the war and subsequent thereto, 

 I would suggest to owners that these troubles are not a proper criterion from which to 

 judge the merits of geared-turbine machinery. There are numerous successful geared-tur- 

 bine installations both here and abroad, and both merchant and naval, which show conclu- 

 sively the possibilities and advantages of good geared-turbine installations when properly 

 operated. 



The advantage of the geared turbine for merchant vessels is economic — that is, its use 

 results in larger earnings. The chief features which produce this advantage are the 

 following : 



1. Less steam and fuel are consumed and the cost of fuel is less. 



2. The weight of the geared-turbine unit is about half that of the steam engine. The 

 boilers and other auxiliary machinery are smaller and lighter, since less steam is produced 

 and used. 



3. The first cost of the installation is less, due largely to smaller boilers and auxiliaries. 

 The cost of repairs depends considerably on the size and first cost. 



4. The cargo carried is greater, due to less fuel and lighter machinery. 



These economic advantages are well worth the consideration of the owner, and especially 

 during the pinch of present conditions, where high operating costs make it difficult to com- 

 pete successfully. 



Mr. Warriner has properly emphasized the great importance of accuracy and rigidity 

 of construction. While some concerns are very efficient in this respect, others are not quite 

 so. It will pay the owner to examine into these features carefully in selecting machinery 

 and while having it built and installed. Guarantees will not cure inaccurate work. 



The foundations for geared turbines should, as pointed out, be extremely rigid. In 

 this connection it seems best to err on the safe side by allowing a very large factor of 

 safety; for in spite of designs and instructions, the riveting of foundations is not always as 

 solid as it should be. 



Due to the flexibility of the vessel, perfect alignment of the shafting abaft the gear is 

 not possible under all conditions of loading. The shafting, when out of line, tends to force 

 the low-speed gear out of one of its bearings. Should this occur, the gear teeth will be 

 thrown out of alignment, which will cause heavy local pressures on the gear teeth. For 



