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BATTLESHIP TEXAS BB-35 BOILERS Boilers Steam was supplied by fourteen Babcock & Wilcox water tube boilers, generating steam at 295 psi and 417°F. and operated on the closed stoke hold system. Although coal was used to fire the boilers, 400 tons of oil was also carried. Firerooms The boilers were located in four fire rooms grouped together. Two boilers were fitted side by side in the forward room and four each, in the corners, of the remaining three spaces. A wiring passage passed through the upper level of each fire room, astride the centerline, connecting the dynamo rooms which were located just forward and aft of the fire rooms. The magazines for the midships 14' gun, Turret No. 3, was located aft of the dynamo room. To keep well clear of these, the main steam lines were run outboard of the longitudinal bulkheads and back to the engine rooms, thus avoiding a build up of heat in the magazines. This line was duplicated port and starboard allowing the steam plants to be cross-connected in case of damage to one side. Bunkers The bunkers were located along the sides of the machinery spaces, between the longitudinal bulkheads and between the second and third decks over the lower bunkers. Uptakes The fourteen boilers, being well spread out fore and aft, made it difficult to lead all uptakes into one stack, therefore, two stacks were fitted. The stacks, with the two cage masts, conning tower, and turrets, were the main external features of Texas and New York. During this period of naval development the arrangement gave an impression of great power, especially at high speed. One special Note: The USS Texas began her career as a COAL BURNING ship, but in 1925-27 refit, the ships boilers were completely replaced with Fuel Oil boilers. This was a great advantage for logistical as well as duration purposes. Underway fuel replenishment is possible with a liquid fuel where as Coal as a fuel requires a lengthy stop at a port or be tied along side a coal re-supply ship. Neither of the last two are safe in a time of war. Mobility is your best ally during a War. Boilers for the USS Texas BB-35
Oil was used with the coal burning. During the crossing from New York to Scapa Flow of 31 Jan to 11 Feb 1918, TEXAS burned 17 tons of fuel oil in conjunction with the 1697 tons of coal, during the 3,372 nautical mile crossing.
You can see in this cut away view the three boiler rooms and the engine room aft.
Drawing courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Click on the photos below for a larger image.
These photos were taken by D. Mitchell
For more details check Chuck Moore's web site - click here.... Or visit Tom Scott's web site for a photo tour on the Battleship Texas.
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Don Fischer
dsfischer@kingwoodcable.com with questions
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