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THE MARINE REVIEW VIEW OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON SHOWING HOW A DECK CARGO OF OIL IS STOWED one-third. The saving in wages can therefore well be added to other economies. Other advantages are found in the use of fuel oil in marine work which 'are not present in land work. The bunker can be stored in peak tanks, double bulkheads, double bottoms, thereby increasing cargo space. That is an economy in fuel consumption which A. P. Allen, an engineer in the employ of the shipping board, has explained as follows: Must, Consider Carrying Capacity _ "In comparing the relative cost of oil in connection with oil-burning boilers and coal, consideration must be given to increased cargo carrying capacity of the vessel, which in a 10,000-ton deadweight ship amounts to 800 tons on a 7000-mile voyage. This gives the vessel an additional freight capacity of 800 tons, which, on the basis of $50 a ton, amounts to a saving of $40,000 against an in- creased fuel cost of $3500, showing a credit of $36,500 in favor of oil burn- ing with reciprocating or turbine engine over coal burning, or sufficient to pay for all the fuel used on two and one-half voyages. A comparison of the relative quantity of fuel re- 'quired, showing the increased freight carrying capacity by the reduction in quantity of fuel necessary to carry a 10,000-ton deadweight vessel on a transatlantic voyage of 7000 miles, is as follows: Coal, 1600 tons fuel oil burning boilers, 800 tons; diesel en- gines, 260 tons." Some shipping men have expressed the opinion that the internal combus- tion engine will be the medium of merchant marine propulsion in the future. Obviously, this depends large- ly on the success met in applying this type of engine to large vessels. Engineers of course agree that this engine is an economical consumer of fuel. At the present time, fuel oil is selling for approximately $1 per barrel. This is a crude product with the gasoline distilled off. A diesel engine, however, must have a gas oil; a product intermediate between kero- sene: and heavy. oils: Such<an 'oil today costs approximately $2.75 per barrel. Taking into consideration the mere matter of relative 'prices, it would appear that it is more ex- pensive to operate a diesel engine today than oil-burning boilers. But consideration must be given to in- creased cargo carrying capacity and reduction in the size of the crew. The shipping board has summarized HOW THE FIREROOM ON AN OIL BURNER LOOKS--A SMALL FIRE July, 1919 the advantages of oil fuel as follows. "A ton of' oil, takes 5 cubic fee less space than a ton of coal ang gives 80 per cent steaming efficiency against 65 per cent for coal. "These .ijs a.40 per cent' saving jy bunker space, which is made available for cargo in a freighter. "There is a saving in quarters for the crew, because an oil-burning ship carries fewer men. Estimates for the MAURETANIA give a fireroom force of 27 men for oil burning as against 312 needed to burn coal. Oil Gives Good Control "Oil-burning vessels will make from 10 to 20 per cent more mileage than coal burners. "There is better control of steaming, because fires can be started and stopped instantly, steam raised quick- ly, and time in port saved through the greater ease of taking on oil as contrasted with coal. "There are also other advantages, Oil is often cheaper than coal in actual dollars--prices vary widely, of course. Oil does not deteriorate in storage like coal. Oil eliminates the fire risk from spontaneous combus- tion in coal, and is not subjected to the danger of shifting in a rough sea. "The oil burner has a radius of from two to three times that of the coal burner. "The motorship will operate. on about half as much oil as the oil- burning steamer. Its engineroom force is reduced still more--from one to three men are sufficient; and there ROOM CREW IS REQUIRED