lonestarbattleship:

The reduction gears and steam turbines under construction at the General Electric Plant, circa March 1942.

There are four sets of double reduction cross-compound geared turbines, with each turbine set driving a single shaft. “They offered almost 10-1 reduction to allow the turbines to run at much higher and more efficient rpm. These are some of the most critical components of the powerplant and one of the things which allowed long ranges in US battleships.“

Due to the date and the fact USS Iowa (BB-61) and USS Missouri (BB-63) were the only Iowa Class Battleships to receive General Electric gears and turbines, these are most likely for USS Missouri.

A man is shown deburring the edges of teeth with a file.

Note that they are double helix which eliminates axial thrust while providing the quieter running and increased strength of helically cut gears.

Photographed by Dmitri Kessel of LIFE Magazine. Identify by Peter Deforest.

LIFE Magazine Archive: 121941, 121944, 121942, 121943, 121940, 121945, 121946, 121949