Historical review of electrical applications on shipboard

During the year 1919, the Chairman of the Marine Committee of the Institute appointed a sub-committee with a view to compiling and recording data relative to the development and growth of electricity on shipboard. The instructions to the subcommittee included the preparation of a report, or historical review, which was to form the basis for a continuing record of such matters in the files of the Institute. After a careful investigation of the situation, the historical subcommittee found itself confronted with a task of no small proportions and one which would require, with the limited time available for such research work, probably several years to complete. An outline was prepared, however, of the ground which it was intended to cover and a preliminary report, submitted with the Marine Committee's report at the annual convention at White Sulphur Springs in 1920 and appears in the Institute's Transactions for that year. Continuing with the work for several years, the Historical Committee in April, 1923, submitted its report to the Marine Committee of the work and investigations which had been then made to date. This report of April 27, 1923 with its “Foreward” is given complete as rendered with such minor changes and corrections as shown by further investigations to be necessary. To this original report a brief section on “Electric Ship Propulsion” has been recently added. To complete this report to date, the sections on “Electrical Auxiliaries” and the appended list of references, are still to be added, although considerable work has already been done in connection therewith. Although it is regretted that the report is not complete in all details, the Marine Committee has felt that owing to the rapidly increasing interest in shipboard electrical installations that the time is opportune for the presentation of this information as at present compiled and with a view to completing the report at as early a date as practical. While we appreciate that this paper owing to its volume, will be read in the abstract only by those casually interested, to those who are interested in the subject, we trust the information will prove of considerable value. As information of this character has its greatest value as a historical record, we trust the Institute may be able to take steps to preserve the same in a substantial and conveniently accessible form in its files.