ELECTRIC AUXILIARIES ON MERCHANT SHIPS. 185 



noon, referred to steam for auxiliaries. That is not quite true, but it is probably true that 

 the steam is generated in the boilers and not all put to useful work. I have not a great deal 

 of data. I had hoped that we would get some positive information this afternoon on the 

 subject of operation. I have engineers' logs and reports on something like 500 voyages. 

 Throwing out about half of these as imreliable and estimating the horse-powers as accu- 

 rately as we can, reckoning on the vacuum and steam conditions under which the ship was 

 operated, and also knowing approximately the power that would be necessary to drive the 

 ship, between the ports stated in the log, we arrived at a fairly accurate figure for horse-power. 

 Based on this we can estimate the fuel per horse-power hour. These figures will run, on 

 similar ships with similar equipments, all the way from less than 1 poimd to nearly 2 pounds. 

 The figure of 1.23 poimd which I took, so far as I can find, is fair. Assume a boiler effi- 

 ciency of about 75 per cent, which means an evaporation under conditions of operation of ap- 

 proximately 13.5 pounds; this gives us the total amoimt of steam. We know that the tur- 

 bine can pass only a limited and definite quantity of steam through its first stage nozzles. 

 With operating pressure more will not go through. The difference, therefore, is the amoimt 

 of steam generated by the boilers and charged to auxiliaries. 



We are all looking forward to the time when we will have a steamship entirely equipped 

 with electric auxiliaries. Comparison made between our merchant ships similar to the com- 

 parisons that have been made between naval vessels, I think, will vindicate the figures which 

 I have used. 



Mr. Anderson, in his remarks, seems to settle on 0.9 pound, which, with fair assumption, 

 will allow only 6,500 pounds of steam for all purposes on the ship, including heating feed 

 water. That sounds too good for a ship equipped with steam auxiliaries. I do not think that 

 there is anything else I wish to bring out this afternoon, but as the chairman has pointed out, 

 economy is the vital question, and we should get accurate studies and positive knowledge 

 of the evaporation on our ships ; then we will all be in a better position to discuss gains 

 which are possible by the general application of electricity. 



The author has been afforded the opportunity of reading the discussions of his paper 

 and before proceeding to reply wishes to thank those gentlemen who have taken such pains 

 to prepare constructive criticism, setting forth their views on the subject under discussion. 

 The interest manifested on the part of so many able engineers in this all-important subject 

 should be extremely gratifying and encouraging to shipowners in this country, who must 

 take advantage of every means to reduce the cost of operation of their ships in order that 

 they may profitably compete for the trade of the world. Without question, owners and oper- 

 ators are realizing to an ever greater degree to what extent the engineer can assist them in 

 studying their conditions of operation with the view of improving the efficiency of their ships. 



Mr. Bates' account of the electrical equipment on the Prinz Heinrich gives conclusive 

 proof, if such be necessary, as to the reliability of suitably designed electrical machinery on 

 ships. The apparatus, built twenty-five years ago, is still in service. This is what should be 

 expected of properly designed and properly built electrical equipment. In other words, prac- 

 tically all the maintenance charge of suitable electrical apparatus will be covered in the 

 first cost. 



Mr. Jett's recommendations should be given the most serious consideration. He has 

 devoted much time and thought to the study and investigation of electric deck machinery. 

 Recommendations based upon his findings that a properly designed geared-electric winch 

 with 25 horse-power motor is in every way the equivalent of a steam winch having two 8j4 

 by 10-inch cylinders will most likely be excellent practice to follow. 



