How did the invention of the steam turbine increase warship speed?

The invention of the steam turbine revolutionized naval warfare by overcoming the inherent power and vibration limitations of traditional reciprocating steam engines.1

By utilizing a multi-stage design, these turbines allowed for the efficient extraction of thermal energy in small steps, enabling significantly higher power outputs. This allowed warships to achieve speeds that were previously unattainable; for example, the Turbinia, the first vessel to successfully demonstrate this technology, reached an extraordinary 34.5 knots in 1897.23

While early turbines faced challenges because they ran too fast for efficient propeller operation, the introduction of gearing solved this by reducing turbine speeds to levels compatible with propellers. Later advancements, such as double-reduction gearing, permitted even higher turbine speeds, further enhancing the performance and speed capabilities of warships. Additionally, the ability to combine turbines with other power sources, such as diesel engines, allowed military vessels to balance fuel efficiency for cruising with the high-output bursts of speed provided by turbines.134