172 AN ELECTRICALIvY PROPELLED 



Up to the time of the invention of the electric generator and the electric 

 motor, it was generally considered that the development and use of power 

 was a single function ; that is, that anyone desiring to use power must create 

 it for himself. With the advent of electricity, it became manifest that the 

 creation and use of power was something which could be divided, and it at 

 once became apparent that, while everyone wanted to use power, very few 

 people wanted to create it, and consequently there has grown up in recent 

 years a new industry of tremendous importance for the creation, distribution 

 and sale of power. 



Bearing this in mind and applying it to marine transportation, we find 

 that up to the present time it has been firmly fixed in the minds of all that 

 power for the propulsion of ships must be created, controlled and applied 

 by one set of men, but we now wish to point out to you and forcibly call to 

 your attention the fact that a tremendous advantage can be gained by 

 separating the generation and the use of power for the propulsion of vessels ; 

 that is, it is becoming more and more apparent that the steam turbine is 

 to stand in a class alone as regards simplicity, reliability and economy for 

 the production of electric energy, and it may be said without any possibility 

 of contradiction that no device has been, and in all probability never will 

 be invented, combining so many desirable qualities in the matter of applica- 

 tion of power as the electric motor. 



The electric motor has no relatively moving parts; that is, a single, 

 solid, rugged metal structure known as an armature or rotor revolves sup- 

 ported in two bearings which receive a pressure due only to the weight of 

 the armature, no matter what power is being transmitted. For controlling 

 the speed and reversing the direction of this motor no complication what- 

 ever is involved and no additional moving parts are required. 



You are requested to compare this statement with the modem steam 

 marine engine so familiar to you all that no description is required. There 

 is in fact no comparison whatever. It is well known to you that after each 

 voyage the steam-engine requires to be jacked up and all the bearings and 

 running parts overhauled, and it is certain that there is a very large source 

 of economy in the saving of the lubrication of steam cylinders, let alone 

 the large consumption of oil by all the working parts of a reciprocating 

 marine engine. 



At the present time all steam-engines are controlled by the engineering 

 staff through signals from the pilot-house. In the case of the electrically 

 propelled steam vessel this double control, involving a signal between two 

 parties, will be eliminated, the operating staff would deal solely with the pro- 

 duction of the power, and the use and control of the power would be centered 



