Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

fibre in the teeth or pins of the combs, so that | ing. G H are two other discs, one for each ring,
the fibres cannot come out when the separation and set higher than the four discs C D E F, for
of the two combs is effected.
the purpose of partially keeping down the slivers.
an intermediate circular
front al inte media teises, and pet between the
discs C D and the discs E F in the angle at the
tangential point of the two rings, as shown. This
disc I serves to keep the wool or other fibre in
the teeth or pins of the combs as before men-
tioned. It is the employment of this inter-
mediate circular plate or disc I in the particular
situation shown that constitutes the main feature
of the present invention. The other parts of
the machine will be fully understood by the
drawings. It is preferred to employ flat pins or
teeth, instead of pins or teeth of the ordinary
round form, so that the passage of the circular
plates or discs between the rows of pins or teeth
is not interfered with.

accompanying engraving
sectional elevation of coribing machine with
this invention applied thereto; fig. 2 is a side
elevation, and fig. 3 a horizontal section taken
just above the circular plates of a portion of the
machine on a larger scale. A is the outer or
larger ring or circle of the machine, with rows of
pins or teeth forming combs. B and B' are two
of several of the smaller or inner rings or circles,
having also rows of pins or teeth. Each of these
smaller rings or circles at one part of its revolu-
tion comes in contact with or in close proximity
to the outer ring A, as clearly seen in fig. 3,
and as is the case in all combing machines of
this description, which are known as "nobles."
CD are two circular plates or discs, which work
between the rows of pins or teeth of the outer
ring A, and E F are two circular plates or discs
which work between the rows of pins or teeth of
the inner ring B; these four plates act as shown system lately started from Nantes, passed through
A locomotive for common roads on the Lootz
at the tangential point of these two rings; they Angers, Saumur, Tours, Blois, Amboise, and
cause the slivers supplied to the latter to Orleans, travelling at the rate of 20 to 25 kilo-
penetrate, and they hold them during the comb-metres (12 miles to 15 miles) an hour.

APPARATUS

FOR EVAPORATING OR RECOVERING LEES.

subject the engraving on next forms also the subject of a patent which has recently been obtained by Mr. Alexander Swan, of Kircaldy, Scotland. It refers to improved apparatus for evaporating or recovering lees in bleaching processes. The invention consists in the employment of close rotating vessels supplied with steam for the purpose of evaporating the lees, and in the arrangement of pipes for supplying the steam to the vessels. In bearings in the sides of a tank or cistern containing the lees to be evaporated, Mr. Swan mounts the axes of a series of close vessels of cylindrical shape. These vessels are caused to rotate by any convenient means, but for this purpose the inventor makes the periphery of the vessels when cylindrical in the form of toothed gearing, each vessel gearing into that next adjoining. Rotary motion is nected therewith, so that all the vessels are caused imparted to one of the vessels by gearing conto rotate in the lees in the tank. The axes of the rotating vessels are hollow, and the vessels are supplied with steam as follows:-Along one side

[merged small][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors]

Boxer ammunition, that it is composed of much fewer parts, and is altogether far simpler and less complex. It is also shorter than the service cartridge, another important advantage. In the shooting there were two miss fires in every ten rounds of the Boxer-Eley cartridges of the present Woolwich pattern; but in the whole of the Daw ammunition fired there was not a solitary instance of anything wrong; and such a thing as a missfire in all the trials it has had, has not yet occurred. An excellent and novel breech-loader-the Hammond rifle an American invention-which we purpose shortly to describe and illustrate, was also tested on this occassion. The breech-block is hinged upon the lower exterior, and turns out altogether to the side, thus allowing plenty of space for the loading. It is a very superior and handy weapon, the drill being remarkably simple and easy, and the shooting made by it was very good. A specimen of this weapon has been entered for the Government competitions. It is certain the Snider gun and its service ammunition will have formidable competition in the Hammond breech-loader and the Daw metallic cartridge.

[graphic]
[subsumed][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

of the tank is carried a main pipe, from which a branch pipe leads to each vessel and passes through or into the hollow axles at one end of the vessel. The steam thus enters the vessels, circulates therein and heats them, and the heat evaporates the lees in which the vessels revolve. The waste or spent steam issues from the vessels by pipe inserted into or through the other hollow axle of each vessel.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying engravings is a horizontal section, and fig. 2 a side elevation of part of an apparatus constructed and arranged as described. a is a tank or cistern supplied with the lees to be evaporated; b b are a series of close vessels, the axes of which are hollow, and revolve in bearings c c in the sides of the tank. The peripheries of these vessels are in the form of toothed gearing, each vessel gearing into that next adjoining. Rotary motion is imparted to the first, and consequently to all, of these vessels by a toothed wheel d on the

shaft of this first vessel, in gear with another wheel e on the shaft of a driving pulley f. g is a main steam pipe carried along one side of the tank a; from this pipe g a branch pipe h leads to each vessel b, and passes into the hollow axle at one end of the vessel. The steam thus enters all the vessels b, circulates therein and heats them, and the heat evaporates the lees in the tank a, in which the vessels revolve. The spent steam issues from the vessels by pipes inserted into the hollow axle at the end opposite that on which the steam enters.

Sometimes, instead of employing vessels having a rotating motion, Mr. Swan submerges in a tank containing the lees a fixed close vessel or boiler supplied with steam from a high-pressure boiler or otherwise. Fig. 3 is a cross section showing a tank a for lees, with close tubes bbb submerged therein. These tubes are supplied with steam by an inlet pipe e, communicating with a box or vessel d, into which the tubes lead. is an outlet for the water resulting from condensation. Mr. Swan's invention further consists in evaporating lees by mounting or fixing on an ordinary steam boiler an open evaporating pan to which the lees are supplied, which pan may be carried or extend to any desired distance down the sides of the boiler, say to about

FIC.3.

the centre thereof. The shell of the boiler forms the bottom fthe pan, and the heat given off from the boiler evaporates the lees. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of a steam boiler with au evaporating pan mounted thereon. a is the boiler and b an open evaporating pan carried down the sides of the boiler to about the centre thereof. c is the boiler flue. The shell of the boiler, as before stated, forms the bottom of the pan, and the heat given off from the boiler evaporates the lees supplied to the pan.

MR.

IMPROVED MILITARY CARTRIDGE. TR. DAW, the well known gun and ammuni. tion maker, has recently invented a new metallic cartridge which is specially constructed for the service of breech-loading rifles. It is alleged that these cartridges possess greater advantages than any other military cartridge yet

produced. The cases are of thin sheet brass formed into a cylinder round a mandrel, the end of the sheet being cemented or soldered firmly down, and make the cartridge so com pletely water-tight that it may be left immersed in water for days uninjured. The rear of the case is united with a metal end-cover, on the principle patented and first introduced into England by Mr. Daw in 1861, and exhibited by him in the Exhibition of 1862, when he obtained the prize medal. The new Daw cartridges are very considerably lighter (60 grains per cartridge) than the present Woolwich ammunition, as well as cheaper in the manufacture by something like 25 per cent. Some trials were recently made with Mr. Daws's cartridge which were attended by several eminent military officers. The new cases appeared from the shooting to be completely and reliably safe, not the slightest stain of gas either from powder or fulminate being anywhere visible; the certainty of ignition seemed equally perfect. After firing the cases were withdrawn with the slightest possible touch, without the remotest tendency to sticking as was the case with the Boxer-Eley cartridges of the latest Woolwich pattern, with which they were put in competition. The Daw cartridge has further this advantage over the

PARIS EXHIBITION.-VISITS OF
TEACHERS.

HE following minute has been recently

Council on Education:-In accordance with the practice of the Science and Art Department at the International Exhibitions at Paris in 1855 and in London in 1862, my Lords consider it desirable to offer encouragement to the masters teaching in Schools of Science and Art to visit the present International Exhibition at Paris, with the view of studying those objects which may be likely to benefit the instruction given in such schools. Their Lordships therefore announce to the certificated masters now engaged in giving instruction in Schools of Science and Art connected with the Department, that they will pay to each such master or mistress visiting the Paris Exhibition the sum of £5 in aid of their expenses, and to each an additional sum of £2 for any report or any useful suggestions which any such teacher may make (in respect to his or her duties or teaching) derived from the study of the Exhibition, such report having first been published in any journal, local or otherwise, and afterwards approved by their Lordships. And further, to each of the three best of such reports referring to instruction in science and to each of the three best reports referring to art, my Lords will give respectively the following prizes in addition to the sum above named, namely:-For science, for the best report, £20; for the second best report, £15, and for the third best report, £10; and the same sums respectively to the three best reports for art.

[graphic]
[graphic]

AERONAUTICAL

SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

(Concluded from p. 262) R. F. H. WENHAM then read a paper upon

the present state of aeronautical science, remarking that the information received by the society since its formation shows that our knowledge of aeronautics, in so far as regards the navigation of the air by mechanical means, amounts to but very little, and that nearly every writer has a theory of his own. The author mentioned that the only condition for the supporting effect of flight is obtained in the weight of air upon which the wings impinge in a given time, and that all machines should be constructed specially with this condition in view. In illustration of this theory, the author alluded to a weight or spring pressing upon the rim of a gyroscope, and gradually deflecting it from the plane of rotation on account of the enormous weight of metal rushing under the supported body in a short time, and, as a proof that the converse of this is nearly imitating the conditions of a bird passing swiftly over a stratum of air, mentions that if the weight or a spring is traversed round the edge of the deflected disc of the gyroscope, this at a slow speed will undulate under the pressure, but at a quick speed the undulation will cease, and the disc will again arrange itself in a horizontal position, and the weight ranning thereon will be entirely supported in one plane by the momentum of the metal which, has no direct support.

TH

MAKING TURPENTINE.

Mr. Frederick Brearey, the honorary secretary, that the angle which its surface presents to the read a paper by Mr. F. D. Arlingstall, of Man-wind may be regulated at pleasure. On each chester, on the flight of birds. Buoyancy is not side of the spine or central line of this plane or accomplished by wind-like action or "waftage," sail, or about one-third of its length from the HE great turpentine country commences about thirty miles south of Weldon, N.C., but by a peculiar property of air somewhat analo. broader end, it is proposed to insert two America, and thence extends to Wilmington, one gous to waves or pulses of sound. The bird screws or helices within the sail, having their hundred and thirty miles further south. It again first spreads out its wings, then raises them, axes at right angles to it; motion is first imparted extends from Wilmington, N.C., nearly to Florence, when constantly the greatest power of the pec- to this sail by means of the velocipede manoeuvred S C., a distance of one hundred and six miles. toral muscles is exerted to bring them down by the aeronaut, and so placed as to impart to In this entire region there are but few cultivated again, which they do to a certain extent, but the the sail an effect similar to that afforded by its farms, and for miles there is hardly a garden, the air resists this and the bird is buoyed up; now tail to the kite. Simultaneously with the move turpentine business engrossing the whole attention the air re-acts and carries the wing back, or up ment of the velocipede, the screws must be set of those employed in it, and preventing them from again, with as much force as it was driven down. in motion in order to ensure the ascension of the cultivating the soil. Early in the season, about The great pectoral muscles hold against this re- apparatus. The action of the screws, which is March, the pine trees are boxed and chipped. action, so that during the return or up stroke the especial novelty of the apparatus just de- Boxing is to cut a hole or box in the trunk of the buoyancy is continued; thus by a ceaseless repe- scribed, is the reverse of that commonly given tree, about a foot from the ground, large enough tition the bird is completely buoyed up. As to to them; instead of directing the propelling to hold a quart or two of the sap or turpentine, the question of progression, if the wings move power in the line of flight intended by the and above that the bark is chipped off 2ft. or 3ft. through a very short space, the buoyant power aeronaut, it is proposed to aim it in a directly each season until the height of from 10ft. to 15ft. may be as great as in a long stroke, but the pro- contrary course. The sail is pulled obliquely is reached. From time to time three or four pelling power will be little or nothing, because, against the wind, not thrust with it; in this boxes are made in each tree, which is correspondin addition to the buoyant power of the wings, manner assisting because not regulating, as in ingly chipped. The turpentine is dipped from the they also act something like a screw in principle, the case of the kite, the upward and later the tree into buckets, and from thence conveyed to and tend to drive a current of air from their back onward movement of the aeronaut. This ap-barrels. The ladle is an iron "scoop," which is, edges; therefore for rapid progression it requires paratus, moreover, is capable of performing a however, rather flat in shape than otherwise; but a longer sweep of wing, that is, a greater arc of feat altogether beyond the capacity of its pro- as the turpentine is adhesive there is no difficulty vibration. The wing may be said to feel the air, totype. It has the power of moving in the in dipping it. From a pint to a quart is taken and their slightest movement produces a pulsa- direction of as well as against the wind, by re- out at each dipping, and sometimes seven dippings tion in the atmosphere, as ceaseless although versing the action of the screws, thereby push are made in a season. A tree lives under this imperceptible, as the pulsations of the heart, but ing instead of pulling the sail, thus producing a process about fifteen years. for buoyancy quite as effective as if the wings similar restraining and regulating action to that moved through greater space. described in the former instance,

The "frigate bird's" wings feel the air so well that probably it maintains mere buoyancy at an expenditure of power only equal to raising its own weight one inch per second, for the waves or pulses excited by its wings strongly resist vibration at a greater speed whether the space moved through be great or small.

An interesting discussion was maintained in relation to the several papers, previously to which the chairman remarked that the general subject of aerostation could hardly yet be spoken of as even in its infancy, and in the embryo-like condition of many of the facts with which the Aeronautical Society had to deal, he was sure that they were exceedingly indebted to gentle men who had, after bestowing very great attention to their several subjects, communicated the result of their labours to the meeting. Gentlemen desirous of becoming members of this society should address Mr. F, W. Brearey, Maidenstone-hill, Blackheath, S.E.

The principal labour employed in the dipping (which is always during warm or hot weather) is black, under the direction of white labourers, who superintend the turpentine distilleries, by which the sap of the pine tree is converted into spirits of turpentine and rosin. Tar is made from the light wood or most pitchy part of the wood, melted by burning over a cauldron. The pine forests are owned in large tracts, and the principal part of the labour, free and slave, comes from sections of the state where the slave property is still owned, but hired out. It puts a great amount of money into circulation. From 175 dols. to 250 dols. per annum is paid for the slave labour, but the white labour is better compensated. At Wilmington, in the turpentine distilleries, in the coopering establishments, and in every branch of the turpentine labour, hardly a white man is to be seen. Between forest region is somewhat greater. Florence and Charleston, in this State, the turto be boxed and chipped, though there are some landowners who regard it as the part of prudence to hold back for lumber; and one of them declares that not a tree of his shall be boxed. South Carolina is running close upon the "Old North State" in the turpentine production, but cotton and rice are yet her great staples.

With regard to artificial flight, he believed the laws of nature were strongly in our favour, but we were in the position of a strong man falling into the water, who, having those laws in his favour for swimming, might drown himself by mis. applied strength. So a novice splutters and nearly cracks his cheeks in his efforts to blow a trumpet, and fails to produce a vibration, while the regular trumpeter with little exertion shakes the air for miles around. In his experiments, PARIS EXHIBITION-TRIALS OF STEAM The proportion of white men through the pine the great difficulty was, to cause the wings to excite by their peculiar motion a powerful pulsation of the air, and at the same time to avail

himself of the re-acting stroke to carry the wing
back without a cessation of the buoyancy, for he
utterly disbelieved that this can be done by val-
vular wings, by manoeuvring the wing edgeways,
or even by progressive motion; in fact, the heron
when hovering over a certain spot completely
disproves this, as the bird raises its wings slowly
and does not progress an inch, whereas if buoy-
ancy ceased during the upstroke the bird would
fall several feet. What, then, keeps it suspended?
Certainly not a miraculous power, but one that
can be brought under the calculations of the
mathematician, and imitated by the engineer,
and, as the society had as members the first sci-
entific men and engineers in the world, he hoped
they would turn their attention to the subject.
Mr. F. Brearey then read a paper by the Earl
of Aldborough, entitled "Soine remarks on the
theory of a flight of birds, and its application
to an aerial machine." In the machine in
course of construction by his lordship, the main
portion of the entire weight is sustained by a
peculiar form of aerostat, stiffened by ribs, and
having fine lines at the stem aud stern, and of
the best form for cutting through the air; the
machine being somewhat heavier than its bulk
of air, the power of ascending and descending,
and also of propulsion, is obtained by the me-
chanical action of the wings alone, so that the
clumsy expedient of discharging gas for a long
voyage is entirely dispensed with. The author
asserts that the wing of a bird is a lever which
creates a fulcrum for itself, and that by the force
of currents meeting at an angle under the wing,
the sustaining and propelling forces are caused
to act conjointly. His lordship stated that his
construction of an aerial vessel has been delayed
in consequence of the difficulty in finding com-
petent workmen to make the several parts.

HE

FIRE-ENGINES.

Obituary.

years. During that period he has had to provide
gas for a population which has increased from
about 200,000 to 500,000 persons, and the effici-
ency of his management, and extent of his pro-
fessional skill, have a world-wide appreciation
He was known to the contractors, and others
who had dealings with him in business, as a
gentleman in the fullest sense of the word, so
upright and just were his principles.
strictly unto others as he would they should do
unto him.

Tifollowing are the particulars and dimen-pentine ambition has doomed many of the forests
fire-engines that competed so successfully at the
Paris Exhibition, as recorded in our last number.
The large steam fire-engine "L'Empereur," has
two steam cylinders, each 8in. diameter; two
pumps--double-acting-each 7in. diameter; suc.
tion pipe, 6in. internal diameter, worked with
a lift of 13ft. to the pump, drew water from the
lake round lighthouse and projected a lin.
stream steadily over the gallery of the
lighthouse, and when the wind lulled twice
or thrice the stream went a metre over
the spire on the top of the vane, which is
WE have to announce the death of Mr. Alfred
an actual height of 212ft. from the water, so that
the engine projected its stream 215ft. high. It King, C.E. He was in the 70th year of his age,
also played a lin. stream well over the gallery. and had acted as engineer in chief to the Liver-
The engine workd steadily and easily, and main-pool Gas Light Company for about forty-one
tained steam well. This was varied by dis-
charging four lin, streams in different dimensions.
Appliances are with the engine for throwing
twelve streams of water simultaneously. Merry
weather's medium engine has one steam cylinder
Sin. diameter, and one double-acting pump 7in.
diameter, and suction pipe 4ĝin. diameter. Their
small engine, "Le Prince Imperial," has one
steam cylinder 6in. diameter, and one double.
acting pump 54in. diameter, and the diameter
of the suction pipe of this engine is 4in. diameter.
It raised steam to 80lb in 10 min., and com-
menced working, steadily rising to 140lb. The
average steam and water pressure was 120lb. to
the square inch; suction lift, 8ft; delivery hose,
320ft. long; nozzle, lin. diameter full. It played
remarkably steady and well, and maintained
steam easily. Average height of stream com-
puted 120ft. or perhaps 140ft. All the engines
have steel angle frames strongly stayed, steel
tyres to wheels, and seamless drawn steel tubes
in the boilers, horizontal cylinders, and pumps
without cranks, flywheels, or eccentrics. The
large engine "L'Empereur" is of Merryweather's
Admiralty pattern, and with which her Majesty's
dockyards have already been supplied and their
smaller engine is of a similar pattern to that
adopted by the Metropolitan Board of Works for
their Fire Brigade. This engine is also much
used by a number of provincial towns and foreign

Mr. Henri Réda St. Martin read a paper describing ar aerostatic apparatus, which is based theoretically and practically on the same principles as those which affect and regulate the movement of the kite in the air. A light flat frame covered with silk or other suitable material, presenting a kite-like form, is placed over a carriage resembling the ordinary velocipede; it is attached to the carriage in such a manner' Governments.

Correspondence.

FOULING AND CORROSION.

He did

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "MECHANICS' HAGAZINE." SIR,-Having read the article on the coating and fouling of ships' bottoms in your issue of the 12th ult., and presuming the writer of it had overlooked the patent recently taken out by M. Bernabé for which I am sole agent in England. I forwarded

copy of your paper to the admiral at Toulon, under whose direction the process in question had been tested by order of the Government of the Em peror, requesting him as a matter of favour to give hand you his reply, together with a translation, me his views on the subject. Enclosed I beg to which I trust you will consider worthy of a place in your columns.

With respect to the adherence of the two metals I need only mention two of the many trials the pre

ch

[ocr errors]

14

TH

MAKING TURPESTI

or THE great turpentine country to America, and thence extends to about thirty miles soch d't iri hundred and thirty miles further d extends from Wilmington, N.C ds C., a distance of one hundred o In this entire region there are bat ber farms, and for miles there is hardly turpentine business engrossing the sh t of those employed in it, and preve e cultivating the soil. Early in the March, the pine trees are boxal Boxing is to cut a hole or box in the ntree, about a foot from the ground, an g to hold a quart or two of the ap

8

and above that the bark is chipped d y each season until the height of tra y is reached. From time to time ma boxes are made in each tree, we ningly chipped. The turpentine is etree into buckets, and from the

barrels. The ladle is an iron "sun'

a however, rather flat in shape than re

[ocr errors]

as the turpentine is adhesive them

ein dipping it. From a pint to

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

.

out at each dipping, and sometanawa. are made in a season. A tree le process about fifteen years.

The principal labour employed in tr (which is always during warm or st black, under the direction of white superintend the turpentine distra the sap of the pine tree is convertal is nof turpentine and rosin. Tar is elight wood or most pitchy part d'a emelted by burning over a caden eforests are owned in large tracta ET

[ocr errors]

part of the labour, free and slave, s 1- tions of the state where the dare prose downed, but hired out. It puts a s 3. money into circulation. From 17584 per annum is paid for the slave labour... labour is better compensated in the turpentine distilleries, in the na tablishments, and in every brunch do tine labour, hardly a white mai MThe proportion of white men throug forest region is somewhat gra Florence and Charleston, in this Sa pentine ambition has doomed may ta to be boxed and chipped, though the landowners who regard it as the pa

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

cess underwent in the Arsenal of Toulon by direc-
tion of the commission in order to prove its inten-
sity. Two iron plates were coated with copper.
One was hammered and submitted to the action of
the fire without the smallest impression being made.
The second was bent and twisted till the iron broke,
yet still the coating adhered and was immovable.
These are facts. Regarding its value as a coating
for ships' bottoms, I am not sailor enough to speak,
but I may mention that a frigate's armour plate
coated by this process was submerged and attached
to a barge in the arsenal above named, where it
remained for five months. When taken up and
examined no alteration had taken place, save a dull
appearance on the copper. The iron was intact. In
all other branches of the trade, however, the process
seems to be fully appreciated if I may judge by the
number of articles sent, as samples, to be coated,
and without having as yet ever been advertised.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

[blocks in formation]

Prefecture du 5me Arrondissement Maritime.
Cabinet du Prefect.

MY DEAR SIR,-I received you: letter of the
13th of this month, as well as the number of the
MECHA ICS' MAGAZINE of the 12th of April, for
which I am obliged. You ask me to give you my
opinion upon the article concerning the method
employed up to this day for preserving iron from
the corrosive action of sea water. Mention is made
of a new galvanoplastique process, for which a
patent has recently been taken out, and it is further
stated this process is nothing more nor less than
that which has been employed for twenty years to
coat small articles of iron with copper, with this
addition, that the iron is rendered in the first in-
stance positive by means of electricity, before
receiving the deposit of copper. The author of
the article in question adds that there is no advan⚫
tage in this, and assures the public the impurities
of the iron as well as those of the copper render
an adherence between the two metals impossible.

ture; it is evident that some certain amount of gas
shall be just sufficient to raise the rib a certain
height-supposing it to have been entirely immersed
and so retain it. If then sails were applied to
this structure, the current of air necessary to propel
an ordinary boat or vessel, would propel this con-
trivance, proportionally quicker as the resistance
which it offered in passing through water were in
comparison greater or less. From what has been
before stated of the construction of the rib it is evi-
dent that the resistance would be immeasurably
less. Having never taken any interest in balloon
construction I cannot say how far this idea may be
practicable. At the same time I may venture to
state that if the maintenance and generation of the
gas to any required quantity be not impossible, then
is the feasibility of the proposition well nigh proved.
Should the foregoing remarks prove useful to
aeronauts they will have fulfilled the object for
which they were designed.-I am, sir, yours, &c.,
H. P. B.
Rantalard, Whitehouse, near Belfast,
April 30, 1867.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

The first of the large 5in. rolled armour-plates, nearly 30ft. in length, manufactured in one slab at the Atlas Iron and Steel Works by Messrs. John Brown and Co., Sheffield, for the "conning" tower for the iron armour-plated frigate "Hercules," 12, 1,200-horse power, building at Chatham Dockyard, has been removed to the factory in the yard, where it will undergo the planing, slotting, and boring processes, in readiness for being bolted to the tower.

very best accounts of the working of the Snider We (Army and Navy Gazette) are glad to hear the rifle with the No. 3 cartridge. It appears to leave nothing to be desired, and both officers and men now engaged in practice are quite enthusiastic about its merits.

One of Martin's improved patent self-canting two fluked anchors, manufactured by order of the Board of Admiralty, was lately tested in the hydraulic press at Woolwich, according to the strict regulations of the service. The anchor weighs

19 cwt. 1gr. 171b. and the stock 2 qr. 21b., and is intended for use on board H.M. steam storeship "Industry." The strain was worked up to 20 tons, and on examination the maximum variation of the metal was 3-16ths inch, which, however, fully regained its position without leaving the slightest permanent change.

MON.-Royal Institution.-General Monthly Meeting, 2. According to the most recent intelligence France
Society of Engineers. "On Water Tube is busy in placing her troops on a war footing two
Boilers," by Mr. Vaughan Pendred, 7.30.
corps d'armee are now supplied with the Chassepot
Royal United Service Institution."Explosive gun, 250 ambulances are also ready and 20,000
Shells Applied to Military Purposes," by horses for cavalry remounts have been purchased.
Captain G. V. Fosbery; and, "On the De-General orders have been issuel that leave of absence
magnetisation of Iron Vessels," the process
will be shown by means of a model illustrat- was not to be granted on any pretext whatsoever,
ing operations on H.M.S. "Northumberland," not even for twenty-four hours. The Paris cor-
by Mr. E. Hopkins, 8.30.
respondent of the Star writes that the Artillery of
TUES.-Royal Institution. "Plato," by Professor the garde have received a newly-invented revolver
Blackie, 3.
Institution of Civil Engineers.-"On Optical cannon, which is expected to produce as devastating
Apparatus used in Lighthouses," by Mr. results in the ranks of the Prussian army as the
James T. Chance, M.A., 8.
rifled guns among the Austrian troops. These guns
WED.-Geological Society, 8.
have been mounted since these rumours of war be-
THURS.-Royal Institution.-"Ethnology," by Professor gan to circulate, and have been tried by the regi-
FRI.-Royal Institution.-"Correlation of Force in its different principle from the small copper cannon
ments quartered at Versailles. They are on a
Bearing on Mind," by Professor Bain, 8.
Royal United Service Institution. "Plan of served out to the garde, and only intended for the
Sustaining and Lowering Ships' Quarter infantry. They have been made at the Emperor's
Boats," by Captain C. H. Simpson, 3.
firearm factory in the reserved park of St. Cloud.
Architectural Association. Special Business One of them was taken the other day to the
Meeting, 7.30.
SAT. --Royal Institution." Ethnology," by Professor wrapped in tarpaulin that it was impossible to
fortifications to be tried; but it was so carefully
Huxley, 3,
discern its shape.

Huxley, 3.

If it is Bernabé's paten: that he means, I can
declare that this assertion is erroneous. In all the
applications that have been made of this process in
the Arsenal of Toulon, the penetration of the cop.
per into the iron, and the adherence of the two
metals are such that the iron coppered can be
hammered without detaching the copper there.
from. Large pieces as well as small have been
coated. These results are obtained, not only by
the action of the salts made use of in the two suc
cessive baths, but also by the particular manner in
which the galvanic currents are directed. It is not
necessary that the iron should be pure; inasmuch
as cast iron can be coated as well as wrought iron.
All that is necessary is that it should be well
cleaned. It is not even necessary that the copper
Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGA-
should be exempt from all impurities, as that desertions, or 4d. a line for 26 insertions. Each line con-
ZINE at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 in-
posited upon the iron by means of electricity is sists of about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same
perfectly pure.
rate as type. Special arrangements made for large adver-
tisements.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The MECHANICS' MAGAZINE is sent post-free to subscribers of £1 1s. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly, pay able in advance,

Thus, there is no obstacle to the employment of
the iron or copper of commerce in order to obtain a
perfect adherence between the two metals. At all
events, and whatever may be said, the facts are
there, and they demonstrate in a manner not to be
disputed the solution of the problem as to the com.
plete protection of iron against the corrosive action
of salt water by means of a coating of copper, and
perfectly adherent to the iron, which prevents the
oxidisation, as well as, at the same time, prevent-
ing the surface of the copper from becoming dirty.
This process can be applied to the hull of iron-built
vessels by coating them on the outside piece by
piece; and if, in consequence of a blow, any por-
tion of the iron should be laid open, it can be re-
coated on the spot, the copper having at the same
time an equal adherence. In conclusion, the
Bernabe process has an inconceivable advantage Habal, Military, and Gunnery

All communications should be addressed to the EDITOR,
166, Fleet-street.

To insure insertion in the following number, advertisements should reach the office not later than 5 o'clock on Thursday evening.

We must absolutely decline attending to communica-
tions unaccompanied by the name and address of the
writer, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of
good faith.-ED, M. M.

over every other employed up to this day, and it is
only necessary to examine the results to be on that
head thoroughly convinced. Such are, my dear
Sir, my views upon this new invention, and I
thus answer the questions you have put to me.
beg of you to receive the assurance, &c.,

I

VISCOUNT DE CHABANNES,
Admiral and Prefect Maritime.

Toulon, April 23, 1867.

AERIAL NAVIGATION.
SIB,-To those who still cherish dreams of suc-
cess in aerial voyages by sea, Mr. Hodsman's late
expedition may suggest a few ideas. The great
difficulty hitherto experienced in making aerial tra-
velling of some practical value appears to have been
the means of direction, and the prevention of what
is nautically termed making lee-way. Now let us
imagine some such invention as a thin rib of iron
plating, whose width shall offer but little resistance
in passing through water in a longitudinal direc-
tion. Let us next suppose that an appliance for the
generation of gas be affixed to the foregoing struc-

A frigate's armour plate coppered by this process is

exhibited in Class 66 of the Paris Exhibition.

RECEIVED.-G. and B.-T. C.-J. P. J.-M. S.-Sir
S. C.-L. P. S.-Messrs. T. and W.-N. T. P.-W. J.—
R. S.-Messrs. S. M. and Co.-J. B. D.--P. le N. F.-J. P.
J. C. E.-R. J.-G. J. G.-J. A. H. and Co.-H. G. M.
-W. H. M.-J. F. R.-A. W.-R. I. G. B.-C. W. M.-

Items.

Advices from Italy state that Admiral Persano has sent challenges to an admiral and two captains who gave evidence at his trial.

We are glad to be able to announce that the Secretary for War has authorised a reward of £10,000 to Major Palliser, R.A., for his improvement in projectiles, and another £5,000 will be proposed in next year's estimates.

A Yankee has invented a small vessel to cross the Atlantic without sails or steam. The motive power is on the principle of a windmill.

The committee on breech-loaders has been hard at work since the commencement of last month. Their task is no light one. Ninety-three different systems have been submitted, upon each of which, with its cartridge, a careful judgment has to be pro nounced.

The French papers give a description of an extraordinary cannon which can be carried like a sedan chair by two men, and which is likely to be as useful in war as that article. Just as one set of inventors is engaged in devising means of carrying maimed men out of the battle, another set is employed in improving the means of maiming, and rendering them more portable.

The Admiralty authorities having decided on disposing of the stores of ballast iron at Chatham dockyard, better known as "Seely's Pigs," orders have been received for 2,000 tons of the iron at that establishment to be at once sold, and the proceeds carried to the public account. The whole of the intrusted by the Admiralty to Messrs. Ryland, of arrangements for the sale of the iron have been Birmingham, who will be paid a commission of 5 per cent. on the amount realixed. The iron will be disposed of by tender, the minimum price to be received having been fixed by the Admiralty.

The old stock of anchors now in Woolwich dockyard, are to be disposed of; some of them have lain in the yard since 1846, and are now occupying a space of ground on the wharf uselessly. Some of those of the most recent date, it is stated, are to be issued for moorings and for the use of coastings vessels, as the metal has been proved to be of good quality. An application has been made to Mr. Martin, to break up the remainder of the stock and reforge the metal in the construction of new anchors under his patent.

Some sensation has been created at Liverpool by the arrival of a Dutch steam ram, such an incident not having occurred for many years past. This new arrival is the iron steamer "Vedel," under com

mand of Captain Koopman, and her last port of

call was Texel. The "Vedel" is a four-masted screw steamer, and judging from her build she is evi. dently both a strong and formidable vessel. It is understood that her visit to Liverpool is for the purpose of undergoing some alterations and repairs.

The Chassepot rifle appears to heat very rapidly; according to the Figaro, ten shots fired from this gun make the weapon so hot that it is impossible to An order was sent to Spain a few days ago for hold it, and a leather holder is, therefore, suggested. 35,000 of these weapons, and a bonus was offered in case the Chassepots can be delivered before the time named in the contract

Miscellanea.

A ton of merchandise is carried from Liverpool to New York for £7, whereas a ton of letters costs £3,564.

The largest farm in the world is that of General de Urquiza, in Buenos Ayres, who has other estates also. It covers 900 square miles, or 576,000 acres, and employs 20,000 men.

Conspicuous among the philosophical instruments exhibited at General Sabine's " conversa zione" was the Aelioscope, an apparatus intended by its inventor to supersede the barometer, and thus named by him because its special function is the viewing or indicating of storms.

A gauge of 3ft. 6in. has been extensively adopted for the railways of Norway, and is strongly advo. cated by Mr. Carl Pihl, the government engineer of that country, on the score of great economy of first cost and working expenses.

The Chinese silkworm is perfectly acclimatised in Austria, and is now in its fourth generation there, as in France. Last year M. de Bretton got 4,000 cocoons of this species, which yielded nearly 300,000 eggs. This year he is organising three large silk-producing establishments in Moravia and in Slavonia.

A meeting of the Council of the West of England
Agricultural Society was held at Truro on
Saturday, when it was determined that the annual
exhibition for life stock, except horned cattle, and
for implements, &c., shall be held at Launceston,
in the eastern part of the county, on May 29 and
30.

is about to do justice to an American inventor, Dr.
We see by the American Artizan that Congress
Charles G. Page, of the United States Patent
Office, by an Act authorising him to apply for and
receive a patent for his induction apparatus and
electric circuit breaker, known as the induction
coil," the merit of which was awarded by the Em-
peror of France and a French Commission to
Ruhmkorff, without knowledge of Dr. Page's in-
vention.

According so the Northern Iron Trade Review, The tunnel through Mont Cenis continues to the question of rating blast furnaces is again cropprogress much more rapidly now that the quartz ping to the surface in the Middlesborough district. rock has been passed through and a softer material A dispute has arisen between the overseers of Midencountered. The whole distance as yet pene-dlesborough and the proprietors of the Tees Irontrated is, on the south 4,119 metres, and on the works. The former have assessed two large furnaces north 2,528 metres; total, 6,647 metres, which, as belonging to Messrs. Gilkes, Wilson, Pease, and the entire length is 12,220 metres, leaves yet to be Co., at something over £1,100 each, which, to say executed 5,573 metres. the least, is about three times the proper amount. These officers have also assessed the dismantled furnaces, and demand rates for works which are in no sense in beneficial operation. The assessment has been confirmed on appeal.

The Montreal Gazette notices the first bloom made in that part of the world with pure peat fuel, and pronounces it of the very highest quality, equal to the best Sweedish iron. The bar was bent cold by a vice, and doubled up close at right angles with an edge without a crack or flaw appearing, the outer corners remaining smooth and sharp; a test which it is said no coal-iron made in Canada will stand. The act is of great importance to all those countries where coals are scarce but peat and iron abundant. The peat resources California are almost unlimited, and their utilisation and ultimate value is merely a question of time.

The government of Queensland has offered a reward of £3,000 to any person. who

or

persons

shall, individually or jointly, make miles distant from any gold field already prodiscovery of a gold field situate at least twenty claimed within the colony. Such reward will be payable as soon as it shall be shown that the field so discovered has attracted to it, and supported for the space of six months, a population of not less than 3,000 persons.

The metrical system of weights and measures has been established in the Sandwich Islands.

The temporary bridge across the Thames at Blackfriars is shortly to be closed for repair, and vehicles-already delayed by the drainage barricades around the Elephant and Castle-will have to go round to Fleet-street by Southwark Bridge. The Queen has signified her intention of laying the first stone of the Hall of Arts and Sciences on Monday, May 20. The contractors for the building, Messrs. Lucas Brothers, are busily engaged in making preparations for the ceremony. The ground is being excavated to some feet in depth so as to mark out the amphitheatrical form of the building.

The number of Cornish pumping-engines re. ported for March is 24. They have consumed 1,959 tons of coal, and lifted 15'7 million tons of water 10 fathoms high. The average duty of the whole is, therefore, 54,100,000lb., lifted 1ft. high, by the consumption of 112lb. of coal.

with whitewash, says the Chemical News, will proA strong solution of sulphate of magnesia mixed duce a beautiful white for ceilings of rooms in houses. It will, if used in the same way, be found useful for rifle targets. A small quantity of this salt used along with starch adds considerably to its stiffening powers, and renders the articles to a certain degree fireproof.

Patents for Inventions,

ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF

PATENTS.

Tax Abridged Specifications of Patents given below are classified, according to the subjects to which the respective inventions refer, in the following Table. By the system of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological order of the specifications is preserved, and combined with all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be understood that these abridgements are prepared exclusively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by the Government, and are therefore the property of the Proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby warned not to produce them without an acknowledgeBOILERS AND FURNACES,-2546, 2559, 2586, 2605

ment:

2606

BUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS,-2582, 2594, 2595,
OHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY-2593
CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural imple-
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS.-none
FIBROUS, FARRIOS, including machinery for "treating fibre

ments and machines,-none

pulp, paper &c.,-2557, 2562, 2563, 2564, 2596, 2601, 2603, 2604 FOOD AND BEVERAGES, including apparatus for preparing food for men and anfinals,-2560, 2571, 2572, 2687, 2602, time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments. &c.— 2554, 2555 2465, 2569, 2576, 2577, 2579, 2584, 2588, GENERAL MACHINERY,-2548, 2549, 2550, 2552, 2552, 2553, 2592, 2600 2556, 2570, 2573, 2375, 2578, 2513, 2585, 2598

The Bureau Veritas, of Paris, shows that the total number of ships reported lost during the FURNITURE AND APPAREL, including household utensils, month of March was 257, of which 134 were English, 42 American, 33 French, 11 Norwegian, 7 Prussian, 4 Dutch, 4 Italian, 4 Russian, and 18 bearing various flags. The total number of vessels lost during the first three months of the present year is 902, a decrease of 45, as compared with the disasters of the corresponding period of 1866.

The following is brought forward by Mr. Bernard
Lietar, of Brussels, as An improved method of
welding iron upon iron, steel upon steel, and iron
50 grammes of balsam of copayva or copaiba; cal-
upon steel." 1 kilogramme filings of iron or steel; 100
grammes salt of ammoniac; 60 grammes of borax ;
cine the whole and reduce to fine powder. For an or
dinary solder one of the pieces of iron or steel is heated
to a red heat, and after the part to be soldered has
been carefully cleaned with a file or wire brush, the
piece at a white heat is immediately placed upon it
above composition is spread upon it, and the second
and welded together.

trapping, fur-bearing Esquimaux, and 9,000 or
Russian America is inhabited by 50,000 fishing,
10,000 Russians, Russian Americans, and people
whom the gazetteers call Aleoots and Kodiaks.
They import a good part of their provisions, and
export a yearly diminishing quantity of furs. The
country is a frozen wilderness, better known to
artic artic explorers and whalers than to most other
men, and probably of no possible value to any man
but them, the semi-civilised tribes that support ex-
istence there, and the Russian suttlers who trade
with them. The territory is rather larger than
eight States like New York would be, its area being
394,000 square miles.

LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING,-2558, 2567, 2531
METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture,—

2568, 2607

MISCELLANEOUS,-2599

ROADS AND VEHICLES, including railway plant and car.
riages, saddlery, and harness, &c..-2551, 2597

SHIPS AND BOATS, including their fittings,-2547, 2665
STEAM ENGINES,-2566, 2574, 2590, 2591

WARFARE,-2580, 2589

2546 H. FISHER. Improvements in boilers and boiler

furnaces. Dated October 3, 1866.

We cannot here give space to the voluminous details of this invention. Patent completed.

2547 W. D. SCOTT. Improvements in raising vessels, and in the machinery or apparatus employed therefor. Dated October 3, 1866.

In

raising to the original plane of flotation of vessels or ships This invention has for its essential object, first, the which have been sunk; second, the emersion of such craft as may require repairs or external examination, carrying out the first part of the invention, a strong iron frame is provided, and this is constructed so as to fit around the vessel's bottom. The frame is provided at one side with a ring cramp. a strong hinge, whilst the opposite end is tapered to receive The sides of the frame are fitted with pontoon attachments consisting of ring bolts. These pontoons are provided with drop hooks, which, being drawa through the rings, catch therein, and in this way, as several force is conserved to raise the sunken vessel, which is pontoons or floating chambers are drawn down, sufficient brought to the surface resting in the frame work. By this means the undergirding of sunken vessels is avoided, and At the annual meeting of the Swedish Academy the snapping or breaking of the chains or ropes as they are of Science M. Nordenskiod announced that a disdrawn tight on the edge of the keel is prevented, whilst covery of great importance to geological science The process of lowering the framework is rendered selfthe vessel itself is also raised in less time than formerly. had been made in the hill of Nullaberg, in Sweden. acting on account of the required depth of immersion and A large deposit of bituminous gneiss, 33 metres in allowing sufficient length of rope between the frame and gneiss and mica schist. It is composed, in addition is made secure by a cramp being placed over the taper ends. thickness, has been found embedded in layers of floating chambers, so that the frame may be floated out at to felspar, quartz, and mica, of a black substance Under the second head of this invention, that which has like coal, containing carbonated bydrogen-in fact, above been described as a framework with pontoon attacha real organic substance, formed of the remains of ments is now made a pontoon proper, and fitted with sluice plants or animals coeval with the deposit. He added valves, by which, being opened, water is admitted and the that there could be no doubt as to the antiquity and pontoon sunk to any depth required. Iu applying this segeological situation of the strata of Nullaberg; in. cond part of the invention to raising vessels out of the duced was that the crystalline stratified rocks of the water, being held by the pontoon gripping the keel, filtration was impossible. The inference to be de- water pumped out so that the vessel is speedily lifted out of water the pontoons are brought round the vessel and the Scandinavia were formed when there existed ani- whilst additional support is given by stays or of ops resting mated creatures, but at a time long anterior to the period when life is supposed to have first existed on ou the upper part of the pontoon. Patent abandoned. the earth. 2548 W. R. LAKE. Improvements in machinery for cutting files and rasps. (A communication.) Dated Ostober 3, 1866.

A new ten-oared, double-banked lifeboat has been sent to Exmouth, South Devon, and will be inspected and launched in the course of a few days. The boat is fitted up with every requisite accommodation, and a carronade for calling out the crew in case of emergency has been fixed. Her length from stem to stern posts is 33ft. 4in., breadth from out-proaching meeting of the Royal Agricultural Active preparations are being made for the apside of gunwale 8ft. 6in., and depth 3ft. 4in.

Borings are continued the whole length of the railway lines in the kingdom of Poland; these operations, which have already led to the discovery of four seams of coal, have now obtained a still further success, as a fifth seam has just been found at Dombroff, and a sixth in the forest of Stohemes. chiton.

During the past fifty years the number of houses in the city has been reduced to the number of 5,581, yet the value of the remainder has so increased that the present few far outbuy the former many. During the past ten years only the annual value of the City has increased no less than a million and a half sterling, or at the rate of 273 per cent. The 17,413 inhabited houses of 1811 had decreased to 18,431 in 1861; but the rental of 1811, which was £565,243, had increased to £2,109,935 in 1866. Therefore, the fewer houses of 1866 are worth more by £1,544,692 than the more numerous houses of

1811

was re

of the show-ground has been fenced round
Society, at Bury St. Edmund's. Nearly the whole
with high wooden palings; the ground itself
has been levelled
quired, and additional drains have been laid
where levelling
down. A number of the wooden pavilions which
will be used as offices, &c., are in course of erec-
tion, and the ground is being staked out for the
various departments of the exhibition. The horses,
which it is expected will form a great feature of the
show, are to be placed at the west end of the
ground, in the space between the farmyard and the
main line of the Great Eastern Railway.
space will be set aside as an exercise ground.

A large

struction by the British Government-one situated
There are six lighthouses now in process of con-
Roman Rocks at the Cape of Good Hope, two in
on the Little Basses Rock at Ceylon, one on the
the Bahamas (on Castle Islands and Imagua Is-
land), one on Sombrero Island, and one on the
Dellemarra Point, at Malta.

once to the vessel which has to be raised and around which it

first, in the means by which a pointed cutter, or a series of
In general terms this invention may be said to consist,
of the blank to be cut; and, secondly, in the means by
pointed cutters, is given sidewise movement over the face
which an intermittent forward feed movement of the blank
is effected. Patent completed.

nery. (A communication) Dated October 3, 1866.
2549 W. R. LAKE. Improvements in file-cutting machi-

In cutting from the narrow to the wide parts of the face
of a file blank, or vice versa, it is not only necessary to
width of the blank, as is well understood, but it is desirable
vary the force of the blow of the cutter, according to the
to variably space the teeth, so that they shall be farthest
apart where the file is widest, and shall regularly vary in
distance apart, according to the width of the blank;
and this invention consists, principally, in modifying the
force of the cutting blow and the extent of the feed motion
of the blank relatively to each other by means of cams
the same device to operate the cams, and thereby the
placed on the same shaft, when this is actuated by one and
mechanism controlling the blow and the feed and in the
manner of effecting the feed of the blank.
pleted.

Patent com

sentation of opaque objects to an enlarged scale. Dated 2550 J. H. WRENCH. Apparatus adapted to the repreOctober 3, 1866.

« EelmineJätka »