L. Shane letter to the Bureau of Steam Engineering - April 25, 1918

Transcript

[Navy Department letterhead] Works of Busch-Sulzer Bros.-Diesel Engine Co. St. Louis, [Missouri], 25 April 1918. From: Inspector of Machinery, U.S.N. To: Bureau of Steam Engineering. Subject: Submarines 0-11 to 0-16 (72-77): Main engines. 1. The Bureau is informed that all the engines for the 0-11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 have been completed and successfully passed all tests. 2. Attention is invited to the reliability of these engines. When the first engine was turned over under power, it was discovered the designed speed was the critical speed of the engine. To overcome this, counter weights were fitted, which completely corrected the trouble. In the case of each engine, from the time they were presented for test until the tests were completed, not a single casualty occurred. There was nothing to record in the remarks column. The vibration is negligible, and the economy both in lubricating and fuel oil very satisfactory. 3. It is my opinion that, up to the present, these are the most reliable and satisfactory Diesel engines built for the Navy. At any rate, it is a remarkable fact that under this contract carrying twelve engines, no trouble of any sort was experienced with a single one of the engines under test. L. Shane.