USS Slater, Engine Rooms

2nd Platform

Forward Motor Room -B2

B-2 is the forward Motor room.
1st Platform level (mezzanine) contains a generation and distribution panel (Switchboard, Forward and After Generator and Distribution, GE, 300kw, 450 volt AC generators, DC generators and DC bus tie, 40kw, 120v), a Motor Generator Set (Motor-Generator Set, Allis-Chalmers Co. Generator Data: 2 each 8 1/2 KW, 120 VDC; I each 2 KW, 120 VDC. Motor Data: 30 HP, 440 VAC, 1740 RPM.) and also two (2) donkey boilers for making steam for heating, cooking and laundry (Boiler, Auxiliary Steam, Ames Iron Works, Cyclotherm, 125 PSI Steam), these have been removed from the USS Slater.
2nd Platform level contains the two (2) DC main propulsion generators (Generator, Main Propulsion , Allis-Chambers Co., 1200 KW, 525 VDC, 750 RPM), and the large Electric Drive Motor (Motor, Main Propulsion, Westinghouse Electric Co., Tandem Type, 525 VDC, 2270 Amp, 1500 HP, 600 RPM) that drives the starboard propeller shaft. This space also contains the ship's evaporator for making fresh water (Distilling Plant, Griscom-Russell Co., Soloshell, 2 stage, low pressure), located under the two boilers and now missing from the Slater. There is a small three cylinder Diesel / AC Emergency Generator set (Generator, Emergency Ship's Service, Century Electric Co., 100 KW, 16.7 Amps, 125 KVA, 450 VAC, 60 cycle, 3 phase, 1200 RPM. Diesel Data: General Motors Co., Model 3-268A, 150 HP, 3 cylinder, 2 Cycle.) also located here for use when the ship is in port. Also in this space (Hold Level) are two (2) fire and bilge pumps (Pump, Fire & Flushing/Fire & Bilge, Ingersoll-Rand Co., Centrifugal, 200 GPM, 100 PSI, 3500 RPM. Motor Data: General Electric Co., 20 HP, 3500 RPM, 440 VAC), Sharples Purifier lube oil/fuel oil.
Space B-2 is also the main control station for the Engineering Department. The Engineering Watch Office is stationed here. He receives orders from the bridge and passes them on to the other machinery spaces.

The pictures above are of the Main Motor Control in the forward motor room which has shaft revolution indicators for both shafts. The narrative here is from MoMM2c George McCarthy and refer to the picture from DE-742. On the left is EM1c Lawler and right is EM3c Wofford. The port shaft indicator is barely visible over Lawler's left shoulder. The starboard shaft indicator is just over Wofford's left shoulder, looks like about 390 revs. Standard speed shows on the annunciator over Wofford's head, the annunciator for the port shaft is to the left of Lawler's head. They would know what was going on with the port shaft, but only had controls for the starboard shaft. Shaft speed could be increased/decreased by 1 RPM using the small wheel, clockwise ahead, conterclockwise astern. This controlled the field strength of the main motors. Large RPM changes were made with the large wheel, 2/3 ahead to standard ahead, etc. This controlled the speed of the main engines via Selsyn motors on the engine governors, which subsequently increased/decreased generator speeds and outputs.

The small changes in shaft RPM were sent to the throttle man from the bridge via the apparatus just above Wofford's right shoulder. The desired RPM would be indicated from the bridge and would be shown in single digits in the top row of windows. The throttleman would dial in the same numbers to acknowledge the change. To the right of Wofford, with the two "D" handles is an intercommunications piece of equipment.

This propulsion and drive equipment is duplicated in space B4 for the port shaft. This duplication of machinery was a standard feature of US World War II Destroyer design, and it enabled our ships to withstand incredible battle damage and still survive.

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DEHF, USS Slater DE-766
last modified: 22 February 2000 (mjs)
URL:http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/slater/decks/platfrm2/b2.html