War and the Motorvan.
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Article No. III: Mobilization.By T. E. Harrison.
For the purposes of mobilization, I suggest that the inotorvans be grouped—and attached—to the various military eentres, as Aldershot, York, Chester; the control to he vested in the officer commanding the Army Service Corps.
Corps War,-supplies of Petrol.
Depots should he established at all military centres, for the storage of petrol, lubricants, etc. Tabulated lists of all commercial deplits should be prepared, and machinery devised for the keeping-up of the supply during the progress of hostilities. Motors with trailers would be excellent for this purpose.
Repair Staff.
Discussing the establishment of an adequate motor repair staff with a famous engineer well known in motor circles, I was assured that he and many others actuated by patriotic motives would willingly place their services at the disposal of the projected Civil Transport Reserve. am confident that an ample staff of highly-skilled mechanics, under the supervision of engineers of great experience, would soon he enrolled.
Registration and Enrolment of Drivers.
This is a matter of the greatest importance. Drivers should be recruited at a strength of two per motor, and arrangements should be made for a reserve. Prizes subscribed for by the various counties might be awarded to drivers who 'displayed a keen grasp of transport under war conditions.
Wireless Telegraphy for Transport Columns.
This has already been experimented with in America, and it would be invaluable for keeping-touch in any extended column—especially to preclude ambush and capture, as in the South African war, and to call up vehicles in the field. I think the leading vehicle of any column should also be equipped with a periscope.
The Aero-car.
Many experiments have been made with mechanicallypropelled vehicles, for the traversing of difficult country, particularly on sandy and marshy land, and with a limited degree of success. It is suggested that a light platform, mounted on bicycle wheels, with an engine and propeller of the aeroplane type, could travel at great speed over rough districts where other transport is impossible. This would be invaluable for scouting, despatch carring, etc.
Surmised Scarcity of Motor Wagons.
It has been suggested that the number of motor wagons in the country would he inadequate for several Divisions of Territorials. but the shortage (if any) could be met by the removal of the bodies from bus chassis, and the substitution of open lorries ; these could be fixed in a few hours. Probably, an arrangement could be made for the 'War Department to store suitable lorry platforms at mobilization centres. Motors for the Use of Artillery and Engineers.
I think it would be possible to allocate motors to both these branches of the Service, for the haulage of the lighter guns, and the transport of ammunition, etc. The horsing of artillery would, considering the present. shortage, be a very-difficult and uncertain matter.
Motor Searchlights.
Some progress has been made, in France, with powerful searchlights carried on motors; in our country, with its extended coast-line, they woul Motor Lorries as Light-gun Platforms. Experiments might be made in this connection. Light guns with shields mounted on motor lorries would be serious factors in coast defence, where landings were threatened. They would form a speedy and mobile force for operation on coastal roads. Appeal to the Nation's Patriotism: Impetus to the Movement. The Royal Automobile. Club and the Commercial Motor Users' Association might consider the propositions briefly outlined in this short series of papers, which have been written only to stir the public interest in a defensive measure of national importance. These bodies, and the many provincial organizations, which are teeming with enthusiasm and a full appreciation of the motor's many uses, would effectively bring the object of the Civil Transport Reserve before a discerning public. The necessity for organization, before the dark shadow of the war cloud falls on our Island Kingdom, must be at once apparent to every Britisher who desires to preserve the sanctity of home and the autonomy of his birthland. The question of transport, from the inception of the Volunteer movement to the present-day Territorials, has always been a difficult one. Lack of ways and means, and the want of public interest, which is usually centred on the lighting line, oblivious of the admitted fact that troops well fed and clothed are assured for victory and not for retreat in starvation and defeat, has been a nightmare. The knowledge that the troops of the country were highly mobile, through the aid of an abundant and efficient motor transport, would render the task of a raider ineffective--if not impossible. For centuries we have relied on our sea-going Fleet; now, with the advance hi aeroplanes and dirigibles. we must have recourse to our " swift fleet on land " to keep the Flag flying. The immense advantages of a motor-ambulance service, however hastily formed, would save the lives of many wounded, and send them back to the fighting force. That is but one of the many benefits that would accrue from the establishment of the Civil Transport Reserve, which I now leave to the appreciation of the readers of this journal. The Baths Committee of the Manchester City Council wants tenders, on or before the 10th inst., for a motorvan to carry from 25 cwt. to 30 cwt., and with body-dimensions of 8,', ft. by 5 ft. by 5, ft. Mineral-water Conveyance. From the present season of the year until about the end of September, mineral-water manufacturers are hard pressed to cope with delivery work. One of the largest owners of motor vans in this trade is the District Supply Aerated Water Co., Ltd., of Kingston-on-Thames. We illustrate that owner's 30-cwt. tractor-type " Commer-Car " vehicle under a typical load, on page 179. The Fournier TemperatureIndicator: Trial Last Week ; Description last Year. The Fournier saturated-vapour temperature indicator, of which the first technical description in the English language appeared in the issue of this journal for the 30th December last, has been adapted with much success to the fuel-regulation system of the E.J.Y.R. steam car, an English design which after several years of careful experiment has now practically reached finality. A member of the staff of this journal was, over the past week-end,afforded an opportunity carefully to observe the behaviour of this device during a day's run. The control, which was secured over the liquidfuel feed to the vaporizer, on the basis of the rise and fall of the temperature of the saturated steam, was remarkably sensitive and accurate.Tags