_ _ FOREST. A-ND- STREAM. ' ^ lf^H.m 
Marini Gasolene Engines* 
: BY A. E, POTTER. 
{Continued from page 144 ) 
WfllLfi the four-Stroke engine is, with but one or two 
'exceptions, always used in automobile work, it may at 
first seem strange that there are comparatively so few in 
use in boats. If the conditions were alike in both cases 
and the requirements the same, engines of both types 
would be made use of in automobiles as well as boats. 
For general marine use, slow speed engines are prefer- 
able to high speed. They weigh more, but the slightly 
increased weight is more than offset by longer wear, and 
for use in small units up to say 6 horsepower, the two- 
stroke engine seems better adapted for marine work than 
the four-stroke. Don't think for an instant that because 
it seems better adapted that it really is better than a 
four-stroke engine; but it is so much simpler and cheaper 
and takes up so much less room, that it is very popular. 
As usually constructed, a two-stroke engine can be run 
in either direction, the spark taking place just prior to the 
end of each up stroke, no matter in which direction the 
engine runs, while in the four-stroke the spark is near 
the end of each alternate up stroke, the exhaust valve 
being held open during the whole of the other up stroke. 
If the engine were to be operated in the opposite direction 
without employing an entirely different set of sparking and 
•exhaust cams, the exhaust valve would open at the be- 
ginning of a down stroke, draw in gas or air from the 
■exhaust piping, close on the lower center, this charge 
which could not be explosive would be compressed on the 
lup str»ke, and if the valves were tight on the next down 
^stroke, there would be no gas taken in through the inlet 
^alve, for there would be no partial vacuum to induce 
at. The spark would take place near the end of the down 
stroke. The whole cycle would be out of adjustment and 
out of time. 
In order to run backwards as well as ahead without 
stopping the engine, or where it cannot be run 
in the opposite direction, it becomes necessary 
to use a reversing mechanism, to reverse the 
direction of the propeller shaft itself, or change 
the angle of the propeller blades so they will exert power 
astern instead of ahead, the rotation of the crank shaft 
always being in one direction. Reversing gears are ex- 
pensive, take up considerable room, and unless they can be 
kept from contact with salt water, will rarely give satis- 
factory results. In building them gearing is almost uni- 
versally used, although one manufacturer for several 
years employed bevel frictions for the purpose. In using 
gearing, either bevels or trains of spur gears have to be 
used, the latter being usually termed planetary, perfected 
as it was for automobile use in the older type where hori- 
zontal engines were used with crank and driving shafts 
running transversely. 
There is considerable power lost in using reversing 
gears and where bevels are employed unless one has a 
knowledge of the principles of bevel and direct thrust, this 
form is liable to work injury through thrust on the crank 
shaft of the engine. Some bevel reverse gears drive the 
propeller shaft through the teeth of the gears, while others 
Jock the whole together and drive from a double clutch, 
■one at each end of the caging. This construction, while 
much more expensive, gives better satisfaction. 
The planetary gear, however, seems to be the more 
popular, and the strong point in its favor seems to be less 
liability of thrusting upon the engine crank shaft. 
In itself, simple as it can be constructed, this part of 
marine equipment is complicated, and frequently a source 
of much trouble. The small two-stroke engine has no need 
■of any such contrivances. To be sure, in making a landing, 
one cannot run up to it as he would with a steamboat; 
hut with a little judgment he can shut his engine down 
and make a landing in good shape. If he needs to run the 
boat astern to get away from a float or wharf, or off a 
ibank or shoal he may have inadvertently run aground 
upon, all he has to do is to start the engine in the op- 
posite direction, and if he has been taught and has prac- 
ticed a little, he can usually stop the engine and reverse it 
by means of the switch. Ordinarily, after "getting the 
hang of it," you can do this nine out of ten times ; but 
you should never depend upon this when in close 
corners or narrow quarters, for if it was to fail, there 
would be no time, and results might be disastrous. 
Two-stroke engines would be used in automobiles more 
did it not take so much water to keep them cool. In a 
launch there is an ample supply of water, and no trouble 
to keep the cylinder cool so long as the circulating pump 
is sufficiently large for the purpose. 
Two-stroke engines usually consume more fuel than 
four-stroke, but in small power it does not amount to 
much in the aggregate. With engines of lo to loo horse- 
power, the consumption is an important factor to be taken 
into consideration, and this is one of the reasons why 
larger two-stroke engines are not oftener met in marine 
work, 
A two-stroke engine is a comparatively simple piece of 
machinery; but to be a good engine it needs much more 
careful design than a four-stroke. Some makes will last 
much longer than others, and this can usually be at- 
tributed to one or a combination of three things — material, 
machine work and care in operation. Again, some makes 
at the same speed, and the bore of the cylinder and length 
of the stroke being the same, develop decidedly more 
power than others. Design is largely to blame for such 
differences, although sometimes the method of machining 
may account for some of the wasted power which is 
absorbed by the engine itself, or it may not be properly 
installed or may be out of adjustment. 
If it is absolutely necessary that a perfectly, or nearly 
so, exhaust must be had, it practically shuts out the two- 
stroke engine, as for it to run that quiet, it would be 
necessary to muffle to such an extent as to kill nearly the 
entire efficiency of the engine. 
The particular parts of the two-stroke engine are the 
cylinder, piston, wrist pin, connecting rod. crank shaft, 
piston rings and main bearings. It is taken for granted 
that the igniter and vaporizing devices are working 
properly, but if not, they can be readily examined with- 
out talan§ the engine to pieces. So I am going to make 
some particular reference to the design, selection of mate- 
rial, machining, and assembling the various parts, and the 
engine as a whole, 
[TO BE CONHWUm) 
Queries on Marine Motors. 
i. H. F., Albany, N. Y.~My two cylinder engine with reversing 
feear would sometimes stop when I attempted to run backward 
last summer. Can you tell me what the probable cause wSs? 
Ans. — It may be that your engine has a governor, and 
that the springs are too weak. A marine engine should 
not be goverened too closely. Fifteen per cent, additional 
engine speed would not be too much when power is 
thrown off. If you use early-and-late ignition, always 
make ignition late when stopping or backing. A good 
type of governor is one that does not shut off the supply 
entirely or reduce it to such a point that the engine 
misses explosions badly. If it will run regularly on slow 
speed with power thrown out, it ought not stop when 
throwing in back motion. If engine has no governor, 
there should be a stop in the throttle, so it will not close 
off too much. If your engine stops, it may be from too 
rich or too poor a mixture, too early ignition, or too much 
friction in the reverse gearing possibly caused by poor 
alignment. 
H. R. L., Boston, Mass.— Which do you consider the more 
satisfactory, a reciprocating- or rotary circulating pump? 
Ans. — Marine gasolene engines are usually equipped 
with reciprocating circulating pumps, although auto 
marine engines are almost always supplied with rotary 
pumps. In the writer's opinion, the rotary is the better 
construction, for one does not have to depend on check 
valves, and should a valve be closed in the water dis- 
charge, as frequently occurs, it would not wreck things 
generally, as the rotary pump will not generate sufficient 
pressure to burst the water jacket. 
B. J. G., New Bedford, Mass.— How does a four cylinder engine 
exhaust four-cycle (four-stroke), numbering the cylinders from the 
forward 1, 2, 3 and 4? 2— What would be the result if the walls 
of a gas engine were very thick? 3— Are there any marine gas- 
olene engines built with water circulating through the piston? 
Ans.— I. Four cylinder engines are frequently so built 
that the two forward cylinders exhaust into one pipe and 
the after pair into another, which are in turn yoked to- 
gether. Sornetimes the explosions are timed 1-2-4-3, but 
in double pair construction, as noted above, 1-3-2-4 would 
seem to be better. It would necessitate the two forward 
crank pins i and 2 to be in line, instead of the usual con- 
struction, 2 and 3 pins in line and i and 4 also. 2. If the 
walls of the cylinder are too thick the heat will not radiate 
fast enough, they cannot be properly lubricated, and 
pistons are liable to stick. 3. We do not know of any 
marine engines built with water-cooled pistons, but nearly 
all the large stationary engines use this method of cooling. 
Some marine engines cool their valve poppets with circu- 
lating water. 
American vs. English-Built Boats. — Some time ago 
we took exception to a criticism in the English Yachting 
World of the planking of the American boats exhibited at 
the Paris Salon d'Automobile. It appears to us mani- 
festly unfair to judge the entire American product by 
what was shown by a single American manufacturer, 
when we know that for fine outboard finish our crack 
boat builders cannot be excelled by English or French. 
We only wish our worthy contemporary could send repre- 
sentatives here to view the aggregation of masterpieces 
in this line now being shown in Madison Square Garden. 
American manufacturers like to sell their engines in 
Great Britain for one very good and sufficient reason, viz., 
they get more for them abroad than in their own market. 
«e K « 
Power Yacht Gregory.— Mr. Lewis R. Nixon's power 
yacht Gregory, which left Greenport, N. Y., 9 A. M., 14th 
inst., arrived at Bermuda less than 48 hours after en route 
to Europe, where she will be entered in the races the com- 
ing season 
8^ 8^ 1( 
Two AND Four- Stroke Engines. — We have taken the 
initiative to hereafter designate what in America has been 
termed the two and four-cycle engine, as the two and 
four-stroke, because we consider it more descriptive and 
better all around. 
K K K 
Handicap Power Boat Races. — A letter to an English 
contemporary, the Yaching World, suggests that their 
principal yacht clubs should inaugurate handicap races 
for power boats. The rules and regulations in force gov- 
erning time allowances are such that it is well-nigh im- 
possible to make them equitable. Several American yacht 
clubs have extended this winter the one-design class 
scheme to include power boats. This sport will be much 
more exciting than handicap competition; there could be 
no claim made of unfairness; there would be no fear of 
the trophy being carried off by a freak boat built to get 
around some technical point or rule, and last, but not 
least, one cause of internal dissension or disruption would 
be removed from the average yacht club fostering handi- 
cap races. The one-design class is especially to be en- 
couraged, as it means good sport at a cost sufficiently low 
to make it popular. 
Power Boat for J. Insley Blair, New York Y. C. — > 
The Electric Launch Co., Bayonne, N. J., are building a 
70ft. power boat for Mr. J. Insley Blair, New York Y. C. 
The power will be a six cylinder Standard gasolene en- 
gine of 100 horsepower. The general lines follow those 
of the well-known Standard. This is one of the first boats 
of a new type having comfort in accommodations as well 
as high speed. 
Venetia Saves Schooner. — Venetia, owned by Mr. 
Morton F. Plant, New York Y. C., towed into Algiers 
on February 15 the wrecked schooner Saint Antoine de 
Padone, which vessel was picked up in the Bay of Bougie. 
Venetia was slightly damaged. 
^ 5^ 
Death OF George W. Weld. — George W. Weld died at 
his home in Boston on February 14 in his sixty-fifth year. 
He was an ardent yachtsman, having owned many yachts. 
At the time of his death Mr. Weld owned the schoorier 
Chanticleer. He was one of the syndicate that built the 
America's Cup defender Puritan. Mr. Weld had been an 
invalid all his life. 
— 
Fixtures. 
Feb. 22. — Harrisbut'g, ta.. Shooting Association, seventeenth 
annual live-bird tournament. A. H. Roberts, Sec'y. 
Feb. 22.— Atglen, Pa.— Christiana-Atglen Gun Club all-day shoot 
Lloyd R. Lewis, Cor. Sec'y. 
Feb. 22.— Batavia, 111., Gun Club tournament. Henry Hendrick- 
son, Mgr. 
Feb. 22.— Concord, S. I.— All-day shoot of the Richmond Gua 
Club. A. A. Schoverling. Sec'y. 
Felj. 22.— Schenectady, N. Y., Gun Club tournament. V. Wall- 
burg, Sec'y. 
Feb. 22.— Utica, N. Y.— Riverside Gun Club's eighth annual tour- 
nament. E. J. Loughlin, See'y. 
Feb. 22.— New Paltz, N. Y.— Mullerite Gun Club shoot on 
grounds of the Awosting Gun Club. A. A. Schoverling, Mgr. 
March 6-7. — Indianapolis, Ind., Gun Club two-day amateur shoot, 
Jas. W. Bell, Sec'y. 
March 11.— Lakewood, N. J.— All-day shoot of the Mullerife Gun 
Club. A. A. Schoverling, Sec'y. 
March 14-16.— Des Moines, la. — Iowa State Sportsmen's Associa- 
tion tournament. 
March 20-25.— Kansas City, Mo.— Dickey Bird Gun Club six-day 
tournament. 
March 28. — Mullerite Gun Club shoot on grounds of Bouna 
Brook, N. J., Gun Club. 
March 28-29. — Kansas City, Mo. — Missouri and Kansas League of 
trapshooters' first tournament, at Schmelzer's Shooting Park. 
Dr. C. B. Cl'app, Sec'y, Moberly, Mo. 
April 5-6. — Augusta, Ga. — The Interstate Association's tourna- 
ment, under the auspices of the Augusta Gun Club. Chas. C. 
Needham, Sec'y. 
April 12-13. — Sprmg tournament of Delaware Trapshooters' League, 
on grounds of Wilmington Gun Club. H. J. Stidroan, Sec'y, 
Wilmington. 
April 18-20.— Waco, Tex.— Texias State Sportsmen's Association 
tournament. 
April 19. — Springfield, Mass., Shooting Club annual tournament. 
C. L. Kites, Sec'y. 
April 22. — Easton, Pa.— Independent Gun Club second annua! 
tournament. Jacob Pleiss, Cor. Sec'y. 
April 26-27.— Scottdale, Pa., Gun Club shoot. 
May 2-5.— Pittsburg, Pa.— Tournament of the Pennsylvania State 
Sportsmen's Association, under auspices of the Herron Hill 
Gun Club; §1,000 added to purses. Louis Lautenstager, Sec'y. 
May 2-6.— Kansas City, Mo. — Missouri State Game and Fish Pro- 
tective Association tournament. 
May 4-5. — Waterloo, la., Gun Club spring tournament. E. M. 
Storm, Sec'y. 
May 9-10.— Olean, N. Y., Giti Club annual tournament. B. D. 
Nobles, Sec'y. 
May 9-12.— Hastings, Neb. — Nebraska State Sportsmeifs Associa- 
tion's twenty-ninth annual tournament. Geo. L. Carter, Sec'y, 
Lincoln, Neb. 
May 11-12. — Wilmington, Del. — Wawaset Gun Club third annual 
spring tournament. W. M. Foord, Sec'y. 
May 14-16. — Des Moines, la. — Iowa State Sportsmen's Associa- 
tion tournament. 
May 16-lS. — Harrington, Kans. — Kansas State Sportsmen's Asso- 
ciation tournament. 
May 16-18.— Park ersburg, W. Va.— West Virginia State Sports-, 
men's Association tournament. 
May 17-18. — Auburn, N. Y., Gun Club two-day tournament. Knox 
& Knapp, Mgrs. 
May 17-18. — Owensboro, Ky. — The Interstate Association's tourna- 
ment, under the auspices of the Daviess County Gun Club. 
May 17-19. — Stanley Gun Club of Toronto (incorporated). Can., 
annual tournament. Alexander Dey, Sec'y, 178 Mill street, 
Toronto. 
May 23-25. — Lincoln.— Illinois State Sportsmen's Association tour- 
nament. 
May 25-27. — Montreal, Quebec, Gun Club grand trapshooting 
tournament. D. J. Kearney, Sec'y, 412 St. Paul street, Quebec. 
May 29-31.— Louisville, Ky. — Kentucky Trapshooters' League third 
annual tournament. Frank Pragof?, Sec'y. 
May 30.— McKeesport, Pa. — Enterprise Gun Club tournament. 
Geo. W. Mains, Sec'y. 
May 30.— Bound Brook, N. J., Gun Club all-day shoot. Dr. J. H. 
V. Bache, Sec'y. 
May 30-31.— \\ a.shington, D. C. — Analostan Gun Club two-day 
tournament; $200 added. Miles Taylor, Sec'y, 222 F street, 
N. W. 
May 31-June 1.— Vermillion.— South Dakota State Sportsmen's 
Association tournament. 
June 6-8. — Sioux Citj', la. — Soo Gun Club toiirnament. 
June 8-9. — Ddlton, O., Gun Club annual tournament. Ernest F. 
Scott, Capt. 
June 9. — Shamokin, Pa., Gun Club tournament. S. C. Yocum, 
Sec'y. 
June 13-16.— Utica, N. Y.— New York State shoot. James Brown, 
Sec'y. 
June 13-15. — Canton, O., Trapshooters' League tournament. 
June 14-16. — New Jersey State Sportsmen's Association tournament. 
June 20-22. — New London, la., Gun Club tournament. 
June 27-30. — Indianapolis, Ind. — The Interstate Association's Grand 
American Handicap target tournament; $1,000 added money. 
Elmer E. Shancr, Sec'y Mgr_^ Pittsburg, Pa. 
July 4.— Shamokin, Pa., Gun Club tournament. S. C. Yocum, 
Sec'y. 
July 4.— South Framingham, Mass. — Second annual team shoot; 
$50 in cash. 
July 6-7. — Traverse City, Mich., trapshooting tournament. 
July 12-13. — Menominee, Mich. — The Interstate Association's tour- 
nament, under the auspices of the Menominee Gun Club. 
W. W. McQueen, Sec'y. 
July 24-28.— Brehm's Ocean City, Md.— Target tournament. H. A. 
Brehm, Mgr., Baltimore. 
Aug. 2-4. — Albert Lea, Minn. — The Interstate Association's tour- 
nament, under the auspices of the Albert Lea Gun Club. 
N. E. Paterson, Sec'y. 
Aug. 16-18, — Ottawa, Can. — Dominion of Canada Trapshooting and 
Game Protective Association. G. Easdale, Sec'y. 
Aug. 16-18. — Kansas City, Mo. — The Interstate Association's tour- 
nament, under the auspices of the O. K. Gun Club. C. 
Herman, Sec'y. 
Aug. 22-25. — Lake Okoboji, la. — Indian annual tournament. 
Sept. 5-8. — Trinidad, Colo. — Grand Western Handicap. 
Oct. 11-12. — Dover, DeL, Gun Club tournament; open to all ama- 
teurs. W. H. Reed, Sec'y. 
Oct. 12.— Fall tournament of the Delaware Trapshooters' League^ 
on grcunds of Dover Gun Club. 
DRIVERS AND TWISTERS. 
The Indianapolis, Ind., Gun Club will give a two-day amateur 
shoot on March 6 and 7. 
•? 
Mr. J. A. R. Elliott was a visitor at the shoot of the Clearview 
Gun Club, on Saturday of last week. 
I? ' ' 
Mr. P. Laurent was high with 48 out of 50 in the monthly handi< 
cap shoot of the Hillside Gun Club Feb. 18, at Chestnut Hill, 
Philadelphia. 
K 
The Mullerite Gun Club announces an all-day shoot, to take 
place on the grounds of the Bound Brook, N. J., Gun Club, 
March 25, commencing at 10 o'clock. 
•? 
At the Point Breeze shoot, Philadelphia, Feb. 18, two, Messrs. 
Killian and Ferguson tied in the club handicap, a 10-bird event, 
with a straight score. Murphy was second with 9. 
R 
"No bang, no bird" encourages the use of rickety guns, shells- 
worn out with reloading, and shooters who can shoot best at one 
angle only; and, until they get that one angle, there is no bang.. 
Mr. Elmer E. Shaner, Secretary-Manager, writes that "the- 
Interstate Association has made arrangements to give a tourna- 
ment at Owensboro, Ky., May 17 and 18, under the auspices of 
the Daviess County Gua Club." 
