Present-day steamers, of all classes, are far diferent from and far more efficient than their prototypes of 20, Or even 10, years ago, states the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation in its monthly bulletin. This increased efficiency has, however, been purchased at a price of greater first cost, on the one hand, and, on the other, of greater complication.and consequent necessity for increased watchfulness and care on the part of the operating personnel both ashore and afloat.
The average pre-war passenger ship had electric lighting and electric call bells, but that was the limit in the vast majority of classes. To-day the lights and call bells are still there, and in addition are to be found electric heating and cooking, fire-detecting systems, telephones, depth recorders, radio equipment, with sufficient electric power for every purpose where power is required, even including the actual propulsion of the ship. Satisfactory performance, in fact, the very safety of the vessel is dependent upon a constant and unfailing supply of electric current.
The necessity for the continuous service of ships, generators is fully recognized, of course, and all except the smallest vessels are fitted with two or more generators, either one capable of carrying the normal operating load. So far as capacity is concerned it would appear that this is an adequate provision to insure the continuous operation of all essential electrically driven—auxiliaries, "Unfortunately, physical capacity alone is not a guarantee of safety, as.is shown by an accident which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico some 2 years ago.
A large, high-powered passenger steamer was overtaking a tow consisting of a tug and two barges, The steamer altered her course to keep well clear of the tow, and was passing at a distance of approximately 2,000 feet. When abreast of the tug the steamer's generator suddenly failed and, in consequence, her elec-tically operating steering gear and engine-room auxiliaries ceased, to function. There was a following wind and sea and the ship commenced: to swing in toward the tow. The bridge immediately telegraphed for full steam astern, but got no effective response as the condensate pump had stopped and the vacuum lost on the main turbines which, in consequence, could not get more than 40 r. p, m. stern.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.