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Twin screw M. V. AsturIAS—Length overall 655 feet 8 inches, beam 72 feet, depth 45 feet, gross tonnage 22,137—-Two double acting engines of Big 10,000 indicated horsepower each Diesel Liner Is Completed T.S.M.V. Asturias—Largest, Most Powerful and Most Luxurious Oil Engined Vessel in the World — Delivered by Builders to Owners HE Royal Mail Steam Packet | (os . twin...screw SM... —Y. ASTURIAS of 22,137 gross tons which enjoys the distinction of being the world’s largest and most power- ful motor ship as yet completed and in service, left Belfast Jan. 12, 1926 on her preliminary trials. By gen- eral consent the new vessel is one of the most outstanding ships that has ever left the hands of her build- ers, Harland & Wolff Ltd. Whether the vessel is regarded from the aspect ‘of her beautiful external lines and distinctive funnels, the luxurious ap- pointments of her ample passenger accommodation, or her two _ great four-cycle double acting Harland- Burmerster & Wain motors develop- ing their 20,000 indicated horsepower, she is alike noteworthy and justifies in full measure the world-wide in- terest that has been aroused. For South American Service Intended for the Royal Mail Co.’s South American service, the ASTURIAS will set up a new record for comfort and luxury much in advance of any- thing hitherto seen on the South At- lantic. Of imposing dimensions—she is 655 feet 8 inches overall, 630 feet between perpendiculars by 78 feet beam and 45 feet in depth—the new vessel has accommodation for about 1800 passengers and crew, and com- plies with the requirements of the board of trade and Spanish law. There are 17 public rooms throughout the ship of fine architecture, including the first-class dining saloon two stories high, with its vast expanse of floor, the social halls, lounge, winter garden, smoke rooms, Pom- peian swimming bath, children’s play- room, and other apartments, ensur- ing the most pleasant social ameni- ties for young and old. The propelling machinery of the ASTURIAS naturally places this vessel in a class by herself, not only by reason of the size of her Diesel en- gines—which are the largest units hitherto constructed—but also as in- troducing to the British mercantile marine the four-cycle double-acting principle as applied to marine pro- pulsion. The Royal Mail Co. are therefore to be congratulated on their enterprise in adopting the most mod- ern type of machinery, not only for the M. V. ASTuRIAS but also for the sister vessel M. V. ALCANTARA at present under construction by Har- lang & Wolff. These large double-acting engines are a development of all the suc- cessful features so well known in the single-acting type built for many years past by Harland & Wolff. The maneuvering controls are at floor level at the center of the engines, and each engine can easily be con- trolled by one man. The crankcases are totally enclosed, and forced lubrication is used. In 14 fact, from the top of the columns downward the engines are _ practi- cally indistinguishable from _ the single-acting engines of the same type. The same can be said of the top cylinder covers with their push rods and valve gear. The pistons are oil cooled, and the cylinder jack- ets and covers are cooled by means of fresh water. The valve gear for the top and bottom cylinder covers is worked from a single camshaft, in conjunction with two weigh shafts for maneuvering. Each engine drives its own twin blast air compressor off the for- ward end of the crankshaft. Fly- wheels and electrical turning gears are fitted aft. Thrust blocks are of the Michell type. Auxiliaries Electrically Driven The auxiliary machinery in the wings of the ship for the use of the main engines, consists of electrically driven pumps for salt water, fresh water, lubricating oil and fuel oil; also coolers for fresh water and lu- bricating oil, and sets of filters. Six maneuvering air reservoirs are fitted. Four auxiliary Diesel generator sets of 400 kilowatts capacity each are arranged in a room forward of the main engine room. LEach_ set consists of a four-cylinder trunk type Diesel engine coupled to a direct-cur- rent dynamo, mounted on a common base plate. A separate jacket cool- SPO Ri he ee ee Sa ai aa in Os