A MOTOR NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

A MOTOR NAVY

RUSSIA AS PIONEER. In appointing: a special commission to enquire into the question of using oil fuel for steam engines and replacing steam engines with oil engines in the Navy, it seems to have been generally assumed that the British Government has J for once in a way played the part of a pioneer. Jn an article in Cassier's Magazine, Mr. J. Rendell Wilson corrects this assumption, and shows that the honors of the pioneer in oil-driven warships belong not to Britain but to Russia. According to Mr. Wilson the Diesel oil engine is being very largely used in the vessels Russia has under construction, and will play a still larger part in her projected naval building programme. A motor revenue cruised of 3500 tons is already afloat on the Black Sea. She was launched early in December, and is the largest and highest-powered naval motor vessel afloat. Two twin-screw motor gunboats are at present approaching completion for service on the Caspian Sea. The utmost secrecy has shrouded the intentions of the Russian Government in respect to motor craft. Russia may be expected to go in extensively for oildriven engines, in the designing of which her engineers will have the benefit of experimental experience denied to the naval engineers of other nations.