AN ALL-OIL NAVY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 8

AN ALL-OIL NAVY

Naval experts and shipbuilders in all parts of tile world have been much impressed by the decision of the British Admiralty Io build only oil-burning ships in future. Many reasons have combined to bring about this decision. Among them are tho convenience of transporting oil and storing it at strategic points, the small space which it occupies on board ship, the ease with which oil may be taken on board ship iToni tanks or tank steamers, tho simplification of stoking, and the high efficiency of the fuel. It is calculated that oven nt. present prices oil is cheaper tlmn coal as a fuel, apart from the other economics enumerated. This official decision is likely to give a fillip to the movement, already taking place rapidly, for (lie conversion of largo liners and other merchant vessels flying the British flag from coal-firing io oil-firing. Ono benefit of the change will lie to do away with the terrible conditions to which stokers on coal-fired ships are sul?jectid, especially on tropical seas. On humanitarian grounds alone, the example of British enterprise in this direction is worthy of world-wide adoption.