RESEARCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 17

RESEARCH UNDER CONSTRUCTION

SHIP FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION ELIMINATION OF IRON AND STBEfc FROM EQUIPMENT urate* o»* ow« coMSsroniswT.) LONDON, August 16. The principal work of the Royal Research ship. Research, now being constructed, will be investigation* in terrestrial magnetism and atmospheric electricity, but It wttValso carry out meteorological work and oceanograpbical work, for which it will have both observatories and laboratories. The Research will probably be launched in February next, and ba, ready for its first cruise m October. It will visit Washington and, after calling at South American ports, will examine an area in the South Atlantic between Tristan de Cunha and Cape Town. This will be followed by a circuit of the Indian Ocean, The greatest care is being taken to eliminate, so far as is possible and practicable, all ferrous material from the hull, machinery, and stores- Considerable research work had to pe carried out by Pettere at their works at Yeovil to reduce the quantity of steel In the Diesel engines. A bronze alloy is being used extensively, and the crankshaft is of special non-mag-netic steel. The main engines are four-cylinder, two-stroke direct air reversing type. The oceanographical winch will be driven froni the auxiliary engines through line shafting and a fluid flywheel. Consideration is also being given to such matters as iron nails in packing cases, tin containers for 'food and cigarettes, cooking utensils, cutlery, razor blades, drums for paint and lubricating oil, and typewriters, all of which must be nonmagnetic. The 'vessel's load displacement will be 770 tons, its range 3000 miles, speed 6t knots, and brigantine rig (full sau area, about 12,000 square feet). There will be accommodation for six oracere. four scientists, 22 petty officers and men. It will carry scientific instruments for scientific work, for atmo-spheric-electric work, and for meteorological and oceanographical requirements. •