t)EC. tO, ig04.il 
f?df*EST£Aiw STREAM; 
861 
B i The Horsepower Question. 
From The Yachtsman. 
Having expressed an opinion on any given subject, 
it is always a matter for self-congratulation to find 
that opinion indorsed by the voice of unquestionable 
authority. We have always considered the method of 
rating horsepower one of the weakest points in our 
own or any other rating rule, and, further, we have 
consistently given tongue to our opinion. In our issue 
of July 28 we published an article on the present status 
of the M.M.A., which concluded with the following 
words: "The weakest point in the present system (of 
rating) is the method employed for estimating 'horse- 
power.' It is unsatisfactory, and can never be any- 
thing else. There can only be one satisfactory way, a 
way that will measure the actual output of the motor 
in foot pounds per hour, and, until such a method can 
be applied in a simple manner, horsepower had better 
be left entirely out of any rating formula." 
Now we have just received Vol. III. of Prof. Rankin 
Kennedy's latest work, "Modern Engines and Power 
Generators," and in the sub-section dealing with petrol 
motor boats he speaks thusly on horsepower: 
"Hitherto, engineers have used the foot pound per 
second or per minute — 33,000 foot pounds per minute 
as a horsepower, the watt (= 44.2 foot pounds per 
minute), the kilowatt, the C.G.S., the kilogrammeter, 
and have found these units ample for all purposes. 
"The ancients used a unit called a nominal horse- 
power. Its origin is obscure and its meaning more so. The 
Marine Motor Association have introduced a somewhat 
similar arbitrary unit called a motor-power — M.P. for 
short. It is to be hoped it will never become com- 
mon in use. Such meaningless terms only lead to con- 
fusion. There is only one set of units admissible in 
engineering — those based on the laws of nature — and 
engines can only be rated at the accepted horsepowers 
each of 33,000 foot pounds per minute on the brake. 
"At the present day, there is no difficulty in, and no 
excuse for, neglecting scientific brake tests of any 
engine whatever, at any speed, to get an accurate 
measure of its brake horsepower (B.H.P.), and that is 
the power of the engine for the actual work to be 
done. 
"The indicated horsepower (I.H.P.) is of scientific 
interest only, to enable the test to show the power 
wasted in the engine itself, to demonstrate the action 
of the valves, and the rise and fall of pressure in the 
engine cylinders. 
"The motor horse (M.P.) can only be a rough ap- 
proximation to the brake horse, and is arrived at by 
calculations made from the cylinder dimensions and 
number of revolutions per minute. It, however, ig- 
nores the fact that there is a considerable variation be- 
tween I.H.P. and B.H.P. in engines built from the 
same patterns and run at the same speed." 
Mr Kennedy then goes on to advise the testing of 
petrol engines by means of a dynamo-electric apparatus. 
This expression of opinion, coming from an un- 
doubted authority in the engineering world, amply 
bears out the principles we have always insisted upon 
— that horsepower must either be ignored entirely or 
else measured accurately by a rational and scientific 
method. 
A brake test cannot conveniently be applied to- every 
motor when fitted in a hull, and if we are to be inde- 
pendent of makers' statements, we must find some other 
method of estimating correctly the relative perform- 
ances of motors. 
Going straight to the root of the matter, let us put 
ourselves in the position of a member of the outside 
public who wishes to purchase a launch. In the first 
place, we know the seating accommodations we re- 
quire; therefore, roughly, the dimensions of the hull. 
Secondly, we know the speed we wish to run at under 
normal conditions; and, finally, the cost of running 
must not be excessive. In other words, for any given 
hull driven at a certain speed, the time rate of fuel 
consumption must not be excessive. From this we can 
see that the ideal rating rule need take only three things into 
account — dimensions of hull, speed attained, and fuel 
consumption reduced to a suitable basis. Nothing 
could be simpler. The merits of boats would be juged 
by their actual performance, and the adoption of such 
a rule would inevitably tend to the evolution of a more 
economical kind of motor than we possess at present 
— a type of motor better fitted for actual commercial 
use. 
Under such a rule it would not matter what the 
actual or fanciful horsepower of the motor might be 
■ — makers would still be at liberty to label them as they 
choose — but the actual performance of a launch as a 
hull-engine-propeller combination would be settled be- 
yond the possibility of a doubt. 
Such is the logical and scientific rating rule for the 
cruiser classes. The racers could still be left as they 
are, their one and only destiny being the attainment of 
the highest possible speed within their length class. 
Should a racer wish to show its paces amidst a herd of 
cruisers, it would be so heavily penalized by the very 
essence of a consumption rule that it would stand no 
possible chance. 
The purely racing machine does good in its own way; 
it teaches lessons of incalculable value to the designer, 
the engine builder, and the propeller maker, but beyond 
that it has no commercial use. The cruiser classes, on 
the other hand, are the prototypes of the successful 
commercial and pleasure boats, and should be judged 
by different standards. 
It may be objected that it is difficult to accurately 
gauge the consumption of a motor when installed in 
a launch, but a consumption rule has already been tried 
in France with a great measure of success, and little 
or no difficulty was experienced in gauging the quantity 
used. In the Reliability Trials, too, consumption was 
measured in the simplest possible manner, and again 
with fair accuracy. Indeed, should the • rule be once 
adopted, there would be no lack of suggestions for 
accurately effecting the measurement, and it is to be 
hoped that such a fanciful difficulty will not prevent 
its adoption— at the very least, its consideration — at the 
next general meeting of the Marine Motor Association, 
"Forest and Stream" Designing 
Competition No. IV. 
Sixty-foot Waterline Cruising Power Boat, 
$225 in Prizes. 
The three designing competitions previously given by 
Forest and Stream have been for sailing yachts. In 
this competition, the fourth, we are to change our sub- 
ject and give the power boat men an opportunity. The 
competition is open to amateurs and professionals, except 
that the designers who received prizes in any of the three 
previous contests may not compete in this one. 
The following prizes will be given: 
First prize, $100. 
Second prize, $60. 
Third prize, $40. 
Fourth prize, $25, offered by Mr. Charles W. Lee for 
the best cabin arrangement. 
Mr. Henry J. Gielow, N.A., has very kindly agreed to 
act as judge. In addition to making the awards, Mr. 
Gielow will criticise each of the designs submitted; and 
the criticisms will be published in these columns. 
The designs will be for a cruising launch propelled\by 
either gasolene or kerosene motors, conforming to the 
following conditions : 
I. Not over 60ft. waterline. 
II. Not over 4ft. draft. 
III. A signalling mast only to be shown. 
IV. Cabin houses, if used at all, to be kept as low 
and narrow as possible. 
V. Construction to be of wood, and to be strong, 
simple, and inexpensive. The cost of the boat complete 
in every detail must not exceed $9,000. 
VI. The location of tanks and engine or engines to 
be carefully shown. Either single or twin-screws may be 
adopted. The power and type of the motor must be 
specified. 
VII. The boat must have a fuel capacity sufficient to 
give a cruising radius of 700 miles at a rate of 8 miles 
an hour. The maximum speed shall not be more than 14 
miles nor less than 10 miles. The estimated maximum 
speed must be specified. 
VIII. All weights must be carefully figured, and the 
results of the calculations recorded. A thousand-word 
description of the boat and a skeleton specification must 
accompany each design. 
The design must be modern in every particular, with- 
out containing any extreme or abnormal features. We 
wish to produce an able, safe, and comfortable cruising 
boat, one that will have ample accommodations, so that 
the owner and his wife and two guests, or three or four 
men, can live aboard, and one that can easily be managed 
at all times by two or three paid hands in addition to the 
steward. The draft is restricted to 4ft. in order that the 
boat may have access to nearly all harbors, canals and rivers 
North and South, and may thereby widely increase the 
cruising field. We have in mind a boat that can be used 
North in the summer and South in the winter, and a 
craft well able to withstand outside passage along the 
coast in all seasons of the year. 
Special attention must be given to the cabin arrange- 
ment. The interiors should be original, but devoid of any 
impractical features. Arrangements snould be made for 
a direct passage forward and aft without going on deck. 
Drawings Required. 
I. Sheer plan. Scale, 3^in.=ift 
II. Half breadth plan. Scale, ^in.=lft. 
III. Body plan. Scale, ^in.=ift. 
IV. Cabin plan and inboard profile and at least one 
cross-section. Scale, J4in.=ift. 
V. Outboard profile. Scale, ^in.=ift. 
The drawings should be carefully made and lettered; 
all drawings should be preferably on tracing cloth or 
white paper, in black ink. No colored inks or pigments 
should be used. 
The drawings must bear a nom de plume only, and no 
indication must be given of the identity of the designer. 
In a sealed envelope, however, the designer must inclose 
his name and address, together with his nom de plume. 
All designs must be received at the office of the Forest 
and Stream Publishing Company, 346 Broadway, New 
York, not later than February 3, 1905. All drawings will 
be returned. Return postage should accompany each. 
The Forest and Stream reserves the right to publish 
any or all the designs. 
Larchmont Y. C.'s One-Design Class. — Messrs. 
Tams, Lemoine & Crane have completed plans for the 
Larchmont Y. C.'s new one-design class, and Frank 
Wood, of City Island, has already commenced work on 
three of the boats. The three already ordered are for 
Messrs. A. C. Bostwick, A. Bryan Alley, and Clifford V. 
Brokaw. Probably even more boats will be ordered be- 
fore the first of the year, so that the class will begin with 
ten boats. The design shows a beautiful boat, with long 
ends and easy lines. They are centerboard craft, double 
planked, 21ft. waterline, 35ft. 6in. over all, 8ft. 6in. 
breadth and 4ft. draft. The spars are hollow, and they 
will carry 600 sq. ft. of sail in the mainsail and jib. The 
boats will be fitted with roomy cockpits and moderate 
sized cabins. 
National Board Doings. 
The Committee on Legislation of the National Board for the 
Promotion of Rifle Practice has completed a draft of a bill which 
will be presented to Congress at the coming session, presumably 
through the Secretary of War, for the carrying into effect of the 
plan drawn by the Board in compliance with the act of March 
2, 1903. More than a year was consumed in the consideration of 
the general subject by the National Board, and a most com- 
prehensive plan was at length drafted and has been approved by 
the Sec.tetary of War. The bill will be entitled "A bill to en- 
courage rifle practice and excellence in marksmanship among 
citizens of the United States, so as to render them quickly avail- 
able for efficient service in time of war." The title clearly in- 
dicates the purpose oi the bill, which is to encourage marksman- 
ship among the citizens, giving them instructions and affording 
facilities for practice without it being necessary for them to be- 
long to military organizations, although suitable provision will be 
made for rifle practice by the National Guard, the Army, Navy, 
and Marine Corps. The Board will ask for an annual appropria- 
tion of one million dollars, to be expended under the direction 
of the Secretary of War, for training in rifle practice such citi- 
zens as desire to be efficient marksmen; for the construction and 
equipment of shooting galleries; for the acquisition, equipment 
and maintenance of national target ranges, and for the issue of 
arms and ammunition to schools and clubs, etc. To enable civi- 
lians to practice in the shooting galleries and on the national 
ranges, and to obtain the benefit of the provisions for the issuing 
of rifles and ammunition, clubs are to be formed of not less than 
ten members each, and the shooting galleries and ranges will be 
open to such clubs as well as to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps 
and National Guard. To reach the schools, both public and pri- 
vate, the age limit of membership to the clubs has been placed 
at fifteen years. Not exceeding one rifle may be issued to a club 
for each ten members thereof, together with five hundred rounds 
of ammunition per piece. After the first year, not exceeding 
fifty rounds of ammunition for each qualification as marksman 
may be issued free. All qualified marksmen will receive official 
badges and their names and addresses are to be filed in the office 
of the Military Secretary of the Army, so that a complete roster 
will be on hand of all the men in the United States who are 
familiar with the handling of the national arm and who are able 
to use it effectheiy. Such information would be extremely valu- 
able in case of war. 
Reports from nearly all civilized countries as to the work 
which is being done in those countries in the direction of rifle 
practice, have been secured containing valuable information 
which will be presented to Congress in support of the bill. It 
will be pointed cut that in estimating the military efficiency of a 
soldier in battk, if we consider ten points as a standard of per- 
fection, at least 8% points are skill in rifle and revolver shooting. 
The Board takes the position that "for practical purposes in 
battle, the man behind the rifle is the military unit, and if he is 
properly trained to hit what he shoots at, all other units will do 
good work," and insists that there is no way by which a rifle can 
be accurately shot at any range "without the individual training 
of the man who aims it and pulls the trigger." 
After pointing out that the United States must depend, in time 
of war, upon the militia and volunteers for the bulk of the fighting 
force, the Board says that if the plans proposed in the bill are 
adopted, it is believed the United States will, within a few years, 
have more than five hundred thousand men, "who will have, for 
practical purposes on the line of battle, nearly all of the require- 
ments for the most efficient enlisted men in the world." 
Statistics of the existing regular army show that of the 60,000 
aggregate, only 24,000 enlisted men of the infantry and 12,000 en- 
listed of the cavalry, or a total of 36,000 are being trained as 
marksmen. Of the National Guard forces, amounting to 115,000, 
approximately only about one-third of the States have ranges or 
make any pretense of training National Guardsmen as riflemen; 
the second third have the merest apologies for ranges, and quite 
a third have no ranges at all. It is therefore estimated that not more 
than 40,000 or 45,000 of the National Guard have been trained to 
shoot, which, together with the 36,000 of the regular army, make 
an aggregate available force of trained marksmen of only about 
80,000 men in a country of 80,000,000 inhabitants. The National 
Guard is only available for services in time of war for a period 
of nine months, so that volunteer troops drawn from civil life 
would be required. Of a land force of 400,000 or 500,000 troops, at 
the very outside, under existing circumstances, only 80,000 or 20 
to 25 per cent., would have been trained in the handling of a 
modern weapon, and in accuracy of shooting. The Board there- 
fore argues: "If then, we must depend so largely on recruits 
drawn from civil life, they must be trained before the time of 
their use arrives, and means for their identification provided, in 
order that the forces enlisted shall be made up in as great meas- 
ure as possible of soldiers who know how to use their pieces." 
A resume of what the other countries are doing in this direc- 
tion shows that Great Britain, since the Boer war, is making 
strenuous efforts to encourage rifle practice. Hundreds of ranges 
have been built and every inducement is offered for boys and 
young men to practice. Ten thousand pounds sterling is annually 
appropriated by Parliament for the encouragement of rifle practice 
in England, which is augmented by many private donations. The 
King of England gives one thousand pounds annually for prizes, 
and Mr. William Waldorf Astor, formerly a citizen of the United 
States, recently contributed ten thousand pounds toward an 
endowment fund for the National Rifle Association of England. 
In 1902 the aggregate prizes at the great Bisley meeting amounted 
- to $50,000. 
Canada, with a population of about seven millions, gives $10,000 
a year for the support of the Dominion Rifle Association, which 
receives at least as much from private parties. In France, rifle 
clubs, under the supervision of the Government, are maintained, 
assisted and encouraged to the utmost extent. In Italy, rifle 
clubs are formed under the direction of the Government in 
every community, and a considerable reduction in time of com- 
pulsory military service is allowed to those men who have qual- 
ified as marksmen. In 1898, Switzerland had 3,446 shooting clubs 
with 210,000 members, of which 163,000 qualified. Assistance is 
given by the Netherlands in money, arms and ammunition, while 
Norway and Sweden, in addition to organizing rifle clubs for 
adults, are giving special attention to the training of boys in 
schools from the age of eleven years upwards. 
"When the whole world seems to be keenly alive to the import- 
ance of civilian rifle practice," says the report, "it seems strange 
indeed that the United States, the most progressive of the large 
nations, should have done almost nothing in this direction, al- 
though a greater proportion of its soldiery than that of any other 
country must be drawn from civil life, in case of war," 
