THE NEW GAS-PRODUCER ENGINE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9371, 13 February 1909, Page 6

THE NEW GAS-PRODUCER ENGINE.

9 The new gas-producer engine < threatens to abolish the need lor the funnel. The Marquis of Graham, in. the Navy League Annual, gives these as some resulting advantages in the use of this engine. “The first great, gain for the navy would be the complete elimination of the stoker* branch of the service. Stokers, while they help to drive a ship of war, contribute nothing to the actual fightingof the ship, and to that extent are a draft upon its‘hitting efficiency.’ If the Dreadnought carries 200'. stokers as a steam vessel, she may be, and is, a great fighting unit; but if under a system of gas propulsionother things being equal—the 200stokers ' are replaced by eight mechanics and 100 seamen gunners, it is evident she will have gained considerably in fighting power. The second gain would be increased gunpower. Alßj exhaust gas can he let out astern or under water, and as no furnace draught is required under suction gas, ship funnels, ventilators and top ‘hamper could be arranged more advantageously, if not wholly abolished. Where the funnels now stand, central and all-round sweeping guns could be mounted and extra ammnnifciou carried where space and weight are saved by the reduced engine-room and stokehold requirements. The third gain would be the increased rad ins of action of a warship on account of the small coal consumption necessary for power - making. ”