198 AN ELECTRICALLY PROPELLED 



it is for the engineer to show the possibility of a construction which is safe and perma- 

 nent and will match up with the progress and developments that have been made in 

 other lines . 



Mr. Englis has had more experience than any one else in the matter of the 

 superstructure of these boats, and it was through an oversight that the plan showing 

 the superstructure of the boat in question, the carlins, etc., was omitted from the 

 paper. In my judgment, there is no question that a satisfactory fireproof deck 

 and carUn can be made. It would be an ordinary engineering precaution before 

 commencing the construction of the steamboat, to build a full-sized section of the 

 deck and thoroughly test it. 



In the matter of saving coal, the figures given in the paper are based on the 

 performance of the vessel at full power. The figures bear this out. I am delighted 

 to know that the Grand Republic can be run for a season of eighty days on an out- 

 put of $5,760 for coal, and I thank Mr. Englis for the information. 



Mr. Emmet has referred to the matter of machinery and the power in this 

 vessel. I think there is no better authority as to what may be expected from elec- 

 trical apparatus than Mr. Emmet. His standing in such matters is well known. 

 In regard to the auxiliaries, as to whether they should be steam or electric, I would 

 like to refer that to my associate in this paper, who has had the very largest experi- 

 ence in such matters. 



One of the speakers, Mr. McComb, spoke of the Great Lakes and the fire- 

 proofing of the boats which run on the lakes and the use of sprinklers. I do not 

 know but what we are all advancing about as rapidly as can be expected in these 

 matters. It is well to call attention to what is being done at the different localities 

 and to exchange information on such matters. 



Mr. Taylor has spoken of the Monmouth and the New York. These steamers 

 are entirely out of the class this paper was intended to consider. In the comparison 

 that was made in the cost of carrying a passenger, it should have been explained 

 what was the data used in making the comparisons. I should judge the steamer 

 New York, running between New York and Albany, carried several times the 

 number of passengers on a trip that the Monmouth did, and that the cost per pas- 

 senger might be reduced on that account. 



Mr. Taylor asserts that I have not introduced anything particularly new. 

 That should be to the merit of the paper rather than otherwise, for if we can make a 

 new combination of old elements and produce something which these gentlemen all 

 admit would be superior, and the only serious objection they make is that it is not 

 commercial and would cost too much — if we can do that, the engineer is exercising 

 his highest function in the structure as submitted. 



We have tried to bring together the latest that has been developed in the pro- 

 duction of power, the best that has been done in the matter of hull and superstructure, 

 and in all other parts of the ship, and whether we have gone beyond what is possible 

 from the investor's point of view,that must be met and decided in a practical way. 



