Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1902 — OIL FOR FUEL ON SMALL BOATS [ARTICLE]

OIL FOR FUEL ON SMALL BOATS

Petroleum Is Not Fit for Use on Larger Vessels, Owing to Smoke. STORAGE PRESENTS PROBLEM Quite as Difficult to Handle and No More Desirable Than Coal—Advises Installation of Liquid Burners on Torpedo Boats and Transports. George Melville, engineer in chief, in hiß report to the Secretary of the Navy devotes considerable attention to the question of liquid fuel for war vessels. Extensive experiments have been made during the year in driving ships with oil, and when the propositlon was first submitted it was hoped that a perfect substitute for coal had been found. Creates Smoke. The result of these experiments shows, however, that oil is no more desirable than coal. It is quite as expensive and difficult to handle. There is also the problem of smoke, a very serious point when a battleship desires to pass undetected. Engineer Melville believes that oil should be used successfully on the torpedo boats and auxiliary naval vessels that steam between regular ports. It might also prove very desirable for the army transports, but for battle ships and cruisers further experiments will be necessay before the naval officers feel justified in recommending the change from coal as fuel. The difficulty in storing oil on board ship, the fumes and the lack of appliances to secure the best results are points against liquid fuel for the larger ships. The bureau has no hesitation, however, in urging the installation of liquid fuel burners without delay upon at least one-third of the torpedo boats and destroyers. It is hoped that further experiments will produce improvements in the burners and present methods. Personnel Law. Mr. Melville says with the greatest frankness that the personnel act has proved to be a failure as it is administered, and he declares that one-half of the officers of the navy have yet to be convinced of the benefits of amalgamation. To use his own words in referring to the personnel act, “It was rather a revolution than progression in naval development when Congress enacted a law whereby every naval officer of the line had in the future to become a fighting engineer.” Still Admiral Melville thinks that if the law were administered with a desire to make it a success it would give the most efficient navy in the world. To that end he wants an engineering laboratory at Annapolis for experimentation and the education in engineering of young line officers. He also asks the establishment of a post-grad-uate course in engineering at the academy.