Electric propelling machinery for U.S.S. Tennessee

THE U. S. S. Tennessee, which is now rapidly-approaching completion, will be the second battleship to be equipped with electric propulsive machinery. The New Mexico, which was placed in operation about a year ago, has demonstrated the success of this system of propulsion. The U. S. S. Tennessee differs in a number of respects from the U. S. S. New Mexico, mainly in connection with the layout of the machinery and the details of the electrical apparatus installed. The New Mexico was originally designed for direct-connected turbines and was adapted to electric drive with minor structural changes. Full advantage was not taken, therefore, of the characteristics of electrical drive which allow of the apparatus to be disposed in the most suitable manner. In the case of the U. S. S. Tennessee full advantage has been taken of the flexibility in the arrangement of the electrical machinery, and therefore this ship will be the first which will illustrate completely what can be done with electric drive.