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Turbine Reduction Gear HE results of the trials of the original installation of the origin- al propelling machinery of the collier Neptune with its reduction gear, while demonstrating beyond. question the adaptability of. reduction, gears marine work, showed that 'some..modi- fications of the turbines and reduction gears would give much better results. It was. decided, therefore, « to replace the -propelling » machinery, and the follow- ing description applies to the remodeled arrange- ment. One of the most im- portant points shown by the 'trials, was that the revolutions of the propel- ler were too high for a vessel of the _ collier's form, the original revolu- tions at 14 knots' being 135, and those of the tur- bine 1,220, whereas a far more efficient propeller is obtained by reducing the revolutions at 14 knots to 110, Also a considerable increase in economy of the turbine is possible by in- creasing the revolutions from 1,220 to 1,910, which is the next most important change that has been made. No doubt the greatest divergence from accepted marine standard and prac--- tice in the original install- ation in the Neptune, was in the method of control of the turbines, they being under the control of the navigator on the bridge, as well as from the start- ing platform. To marine engineers and navigators, such an innovation prob- ably appeared unnecessary and fantastic, and too great a step aside "from the trodden path to be safely employed; and that such feeling existed, and prob- ably still exists in the minds of some engineers, is shown by the _ hostile criticism of the bridge control. However, after the trials of the Neptune and months of service, the for. Description of the Remodeled Arrange- ment on Board the Collier Neptune bridge control has shown itself to be absolutely reliable, and after becoming accustomed to it, those having experi- ence with it have come to use it in pre- ference to the ordinary engine room telegraph which was, of course, a part of the Neptune's equipment. During the service of the Neptune a number of occasions arose in which the advantages of the bridge control were shown in a very striking manner. This is brought out in the report of Lieut. W: OW. Smith; U.S: Nc who was ia charge of the Neptune's machinery, and from which we quote as follows: "The bridge station has been used in steaming, in going alongside ships and in docking. While steaming it requires FIG. 3--BRIDGE CONTROL STAND