Initially, destroyer escorts were designed to be steam turbine powered 12,000 horsepower ships capable of 28 knots. However steam turbine ships require large reduction gears and our industrial gear cutting capacity in 1941-1943 could not keep up with demand. Thus four different power plants were used for destroyer escorts due to the demands on naval construction. Because destroyer escorts were not the top priority for steam turbine reduction gears (these being given instead to aircraft carriers, battleships and destroyers) the destroyer escorts were forced to utilize whatever type of power plant was available at the time they were ordered.

Thus, there were destroyer escorts with diesel electric drive (EVARTS and CANNON Classes), Turbo Electric Drive (BUCKLEY and RUDDEROW Classes) Fairbanks Morse Geared Diesel Drive (EDSALL Class) and finally when gear cutting capacity caught up to demand, Steam Geared Turbine (JOHN C BUTLER Class.) Go here to see the differences between the classes.

While the diesel ships only had half the horsepower of the steam ships, they were much more economical to operate, had about twice the range of the steam ships and did not need to fuel as often. In general, destroyer escorts with similar main engine plants were kept in the same operational divisions to simplify problems such as fuel type, speed, maneuvering capabilities and spare parts.

The USS SLATER, being in the Cannon Class, is propelled by a diesel electric propulsion system in which diesel engines drive direct current generators that supply direct current electricity to four main propulsion motors. The ship has two main propellers or is “Twin Screw.” Two drive the two propellers; There are four machinery spaces occupying the center third of the ship.

The specific equipment located on the upper level includes the main 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), the Emergency Switchboard, the Electrical Degaussing panel, and 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.) Also on this level is a High Pressure Compressor and storage tank (Compressor, Air, High Pressure, Worthington Pump Co., 7.5 CFH at 3000 PSI, 6.4 CFH at 3500 PSI, 575 RPM. Motor Data: General Electric Co., 22.5 HP, 600 RPM, 440 VAC) and a Low Pressure Compressor with Storage Tank (Compressor, Low Pressure, Ingersol Rand Co., SN 30R 589, 150 PSI, 750 RPM. Motor Data: General Electric Co., 20 HP, 1750 RPM, 440 VAC)

The specific equipment on the lower level includes the two 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 drive the port propeller shaft. 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.) located here for use when the ship is in port. Also in this space are two 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.