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October, 1913 task of making the figures of the "trials applicable to the intended ship. From these two tests, that of the plane and that of the model, the de- signer has the correct information he needs, so that the naval architect knows both the maximum and _ the cruising speeds at which the vessel can be propelled most economically, Whe cruising speed is an Pe because St is at this rate oF travel, that ships of war move fre- quently. Full speed is really a battle reserve to be called for only when urgency demands. As a proof of the great saving in the cost of warships may be given jl- lustrations of a vessel built from data obtained from the model tests, and one constructed merely from drawings, will suffice. Among the ves- sels in the fleet is the gunboat Nash- ville, designed in 1894. She has a dis- placement of about 1,375 tons and with 2,500 h. p. makes 16 knots. Last year the model tank developed the hull form for the gunboat Sacra- mento, a vessel of 300 tons more dis- placement, but of a speed of 16 knots upon a development of only 2,000 hp. This saving of 500 h. p.; tae culated at $60 a horsepower, meant an economy in first cost of machinery of $30,000; but it also meant that the larger gunboat could be driven at a speed equal to her smaller sister ship. With a tonnage of only 300, the Sacramento could carry a more pow- erful armament, sail further upon the same supply of fuel and more weath- erly in storms; in brief, be a much better unit of the fleet. And all of this was made certain by the expendi- ture of a few hundred dollars for the wooden models of the most suitable length and shape. Steamer George F. Brownell Probably no two ships have ever been better known or more admired than: the Owego and Chemung, of the Erie railroad lake fleet. The accom- Panying view of the latter, snapped in Cleveland harbor recently, as she Was leaving port under her new name, George F, Brownell, after extensive alterations, shows clearly the grace- ful lines and shipshape - appearance Which have made them the admiration .0f sailormen. As _ the Chemung she established a record for speed which will probably never be equalled by a freighter on the lakes, since the con- ditions which justified high speed in 4 package freighter no longer exist. As the Brownell, however, she bids fair to achieve a no less _ notable reputation for economical operation aS a result of the recent improve- important THE MARINE REVIEW 349 STEAMER GEORGE F. BROWNELL, FORMERLY THE CHEMUNG, OF THE ERIE RAILROAD LAKE LINE'S FLEET ments. Figures so far available show a full reduction of over 40 per cent from her previous work at equal speeds, together with increased freight carrying capacity. In pursuance of the broad policy of the company in giving publicity to the work of its equipment more complete data will probably be forthcoming at the close of the season, but meanwhile there can be little doubt that the Erie fleet has established a standard of econom- ical operation which can hardly be paralleled, as a fleet, by any ships afloat. Fue Marine Review hopes to be able later to add to the data pub- lished for the past three years the comparative results of operation for 1913. The Brownell was given new boilers and draft system, together with en- gine modifications, new propeller, new houses throughout and complete new electric installation. new houses is the use throughout of Byerlite for floors. The quarters have been made unusually comfortable. Brass and iron beds have been fitted throughout and five separate baths and toilets for the different divisions of the crew. Probably not the least interesting item of the new equipment is a de- vice now under observation for the first time which makes a timed graphic record of the telegraph signals given by the officer on the bridge and side by side with this record the record of the action of the engines both as to speed and direction. The record is distinct and perma- nent and eliminates disputes as to sig- nals and the action taken in the en- A feature of the. gine room. The charts, while in plain view at all times, are not accessible to anyone but the proper authority. The apparatus has been worked out by H. Penton, of Babcock & Penton, consulting engineers to the Erie Rail- road Co., under whose direction the alterations in the ships of the fleet have been made. Tue Review has been promised an opportunity to illus- trate and describe the apparatus in detail, with a reproduction of a sec- tion of the chart, later, but for the present the device is being kept un- der observation, In the chatt . THe Review has seen, every shift of the telegraph is traced distinctly through spaces corresponding with the. divis- ions on the telegraph dial and along- side is shown the response of the en- gines. No record is made of the re- ply from engine room since that is unimportant; the desirable informa- tion being as to what the bridge or- dered and what was actually done. There is assuredly need of such a de- vice aboard of every ship. Bae Bele It is understood that the Hamburg- American Co. has asked for bids from. Cramp's, Philadelphia, for the con- struction. of three passenger and freight steamers to be 500 ft. long and capable of making 18 knots per hour. These vessels are intended for service through the Panama canal. The Downey Shipyard, foot of Twenty-third street, Brooklyn, N. Y., launched the steamer Princess for the Bermuda Transportation Co. last month. The new steamer is 112 ft. long, 28 ft. beam and 7 ft. deep.