The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

CHAPTER XXVI COALING VESSELS AT SEA 1>y this is meant the transference of coal from a collier to a vessel while under way, or at any rate in the open sea, to avoid the necessity of going into port, whereby sometimes considerable time is lost. When coal can be transferred while the vessel is under way in the direction of her destination, a minimum of time will be wasted, and that solely on account of the speed being slower than usual. There are two distinct methods of coaling at sea: the first is with the two vessels alongside, which is at all times a dangerous process, and only possible in calm weather; for naval purposes it will, therefore, never be universally used. The other method is end on, when one of the vessels takes the other in tow at a safe distance, and the transference of coal is made by some form of cableway, and this can be done in practically any weather. Historical.—Mr Spencer Miller has made this process his special study, and read two papers before the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers on 16th November 1899, and in 1900,1 to which the Author is greatly indebted for the following information. A paper entitled “ Coaling Ships in Squadron on the Open Sea ” was delivered by Lieutenant R. S. Lowry, R.N., before the Royal United Service Institution, London, 13th April 1883. In Lieutenant Lowry’s plan, special coal boxes or boats holding about a ton of coal were carried by a collier and conveyed to the warship by lines, hoisted on deck, emptied, and returned. These boxes were made buoyant by air-tight chambers. 1 his system was fully discussed, but was evidently not considered practicable. In 188/ a paper entitled “Coaling Ships of War at Sea” was read before the same Institution by Lieutenant C. E. Bell, R.N., and was fully discussed by Admiral Boys, the late Vice-Admiral Colomb, Commander Campbell, Captains Fitzgerald, Henderson, and others. Lieutenant Bell remarked on this occasion that his excuse for putting his views before the Institution would be found in the utterances of Captain Scott, whom he quoted as follows : “ I think, moreover, that you require, if you have groups of squadrons, some equal coaling power or means of coaling at sea which we have not yet hit upon.” And then he says : “ I feel sure that all officers will agree with me that coaling from broadside at sea is impossible, except in very calm weather, and that even then it is attended with great risk to both men and material employed.” And “I am sure I am supported in such belief by all who have considered the subject, that the only way by which the great difficulties and dangers of coaling at sea can be overcome and the work carried out successfully with the least possible delay, and absence of danger both to men and material, is by coaling from bow to stern.” Also, “I do not make any claim to'origi- nahty —in fact, I believe that the same idea has occurred to many officers who have given any consideration to this subject; and in fact, on submitting a sketch of the present plan to Sir J. H. Cammerell a short time ago, he then told me it had suggested itself to 1 See also The Engineer, 19th January and 27th July 1900. 323