Die Schiffsmaschine; ihre Construction Wirkungsweise und Bedienung

Abstract

THE concluding volume of this important work on marine engineering equals in merit and style the portion previously published, of which a notice appeared in NATURE, vol. xxix. p. 426. It is a most laborious and well-digested compilation of all that is best worth preserving in relation to the resistance and propulsion of ships. The author with true German industry has sought far and wide for his materials, drawing from the writings of French, German, Dutch, American, and English authorities. But it may be stated with some satisfaction that the most recent and valuable investigations to which reference is made are those of our own countrymen. The labours of the late Mr. Scott Russell, Prof. Rankine, and Mr. W. E. Froude, have given an impulse and direction to the theoretical and experimental investigations of the problems of resistance and propulsion, of which the practical value cannot well be over-estimated. The action of the Admiralty in assisting the late Mr. Froude, and in now establishing, under the able direction of Mr. R. E. Froude, experimental works on an enlarged and permanent basis, has yielded substantial advantages to the Royal Navy, and benefited the science and practice of shipbuilding generally. One private firm on the Clyde has, for its own purposes, created a similar experimental establishment; another was established in Holland by the late Chief Constructor, Dr. Tideman; France has done something in the same direction; and Russia and the United States have given attention to the matter. Everywhere it is now recognised that the resistances of full-sized ships may be closely approximated to by means of experiments with models; and in this manner the problems of ever-increasing difficulty incidental to the attainment of higher and yet higher speeds are being dealt with confidently and successfully. Pure theory cannot master these problems, although it has suggested the best experimental procedure. The older theories of resistance summarised by Mr. Busley have given place to the “stream-line” theory, and upon it has been based the “law of comparison” between ships and models independently laid down by the great French teacher, M. Reech, and the late Mr. W. Froude.

Die Schiffsmaschine; ihre Construction Wirkungsweise und Bedienung.

Bearbeitet von Carl Busley. (Kiel: Verlag von Lipsius und Tischer, 1886.)