Abstract
SEVERAL important developments in connexion with marine electrification are described in the G.E.C. Journal of February. In the past, fishing trawlers have been illuminated by means of carbide lamps which, apart from their disadvantages from an illuminating point of view, introduce a serious fire risk. Special equipment has now been designed and installed on one of the trawlers of a Scottish fishing fleet which enables electric lighting to be used. The installation has been very successful and the practice of electrically floodlighting the decks of trawlers will be widely used. The Company also completed the electrical propulsion equipment of the Diesel-electric tug, Acklam Cross. This is the first British vessel of her type, the first to have high-speed Diesel prime movers, the first to have a clear after deck, and the first to have an electrical system of starting the prime movers. The system adopted seems admirably suited to fulfil all the special requirements of a tug. It is capable of going on duty at a moment's notice. It is also capable of rapid manoeuvring when towing large vessels in and out of congested harbours. There is practically no delay in exerting full power ahead or astern. The Diesel-electric engine can be started up as quickly as a motor-car engine and during periods of inactivity no fuel at all is consumed. The control of the speed and the direction of the controller is directly in the hands of the navigating officer. Starting is effected immediately by pressing a button. The mean speed over the measured mile was 11.15 knots. The time taken from rest to full speed ahead was 24 seconds and from stop to full astern was 16 seconds. The electro-hydraulic steering gear was very efficient, the vessel being capable of turning at full speed in under two lengths.
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Marine Electrification. Nature 133, 866 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133866b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133866b0