THE

MECHANICS' MAGAZINE.

LONDON: FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1868.

WITHIN

corporated, but not by trituration. For truth is, that except in a few instances where
small quantities, Mr. Reveley uses a common scientific principles were really understood
Wedgewood mortar and pestle, which must be and applied, nearly as much power was wasted
perfectly dry and clean. The operation does not as utilized, and men eagerly turned from what
take many minutes, and with the above pre- they considered an old, imperfect, and unsuc-
cautions its manufacture is absolutely free cessful system to the new, which appeared at
from danger. In loading it is treated in the its commencement to be endowed with un-
same way as ordinary gunpowder, being limited power. Canals may be divided into
pressed down by hand solid, but not hard. two principal classes: the one may be called
The charge is ignited in the usual way, either ship canals, such as the Caledonian and the
with a common cap and nipple, or in a rim Isthmus of Suez, and the other boat canals.
or central-fire cartridge. No alteration is The more particular object of the former
required in the arm, but the cartridge case description is to connect, by a tolerably direct
must be little more than half its usual length, route, two seas, so that ships of comparatively
which will give the same result as double large tonnage may pass from one to the other,
the quantity of ordinary gunpowder, but and thus avoid the prolonged voyage round
with greater quickness, penetration, and the island, continent, or peninsula. The
accuracy. In actual use it does not appear smaller description, or boat canal, is intended
to possess a bursting so much as a propulsive more for the purpose of inland communica-
power, and Mr. Reveley has obtained some tion, and to effect a direct junction with
of the highest penetrative results in his prac- navigable rivers rather than with separate
tice with it. The economy of this powder seas. No sooner was the application of steam
will at once be apparent when we state that as a motive power for vessels un fait ac-
its wholesale cost is about 868. per cwt., but compli, than it was naturally imagined that
as its strength is at least one-third greater steam vessels might be applied upon canals,
than that of ordinary powder, its cost may to replace the old passenger or flyboats, as
be comparatively estimated at about 60s. they were termed, in the same manner in
per cwt.
which the rail had superseded the road. Ex-
perience has, however, hitherto proved that
it is quite as difficult to employ ordinary
steamers upon narrow canals as to use a loco-
motive for common road traffic. Nevertheless,
attempts continue to be made in both instances,
and no one will venture to assert that they
may not be ultimately crowned with success.

WHITE GUNPOWDER. WITHIN the last few years we have drawn attention to a great number of new explosive compounds, the majority of which have been intended to supersede gunpowder. That they have not yet wholly succeeded in so doing is evident from the fact that for artillery and small arms gunpowder still continues to be used. The application of some of them to blasting purposes has been more successful; for this use, their destructive energy admirably adapts them, provided their power can be controlled, as in the case of M. Nobel's dynamite, recently described in our pages. But in this and every other explosive compound, there is an element of danger ever present in the combination of the ingredients. Could we dissever this One important feature in the manufacture danger from the preparation as well as from of white gunpowder is that it does not rethe use, and produce a result equal to gun-quire to be-indeed, it cannot be-granupowder at a greatly lower cost, we should lated, which process is the great source of certainly achieve something; but if, in addi- danger in powder mills. The universal use tion to this, we could include advantages of the cartridge entirely obviates any objecwhich gunpowder does not possess, we should tion that may be made to white gununquestionably render a still greater service powder on that score, or on the score The greatest speed attained by passenger to the State. All these conditions we think of similarity in appearance to other sub- boats upon canals was about eight miles per will be found in the white gunpowder we are stances, and, owing to its compact form, hour, so that upon the advent of the locomoabout to describe, and which we have tried it only occupies half the usual space. We tive they were in a position strongly resemsufficiently for our present purpose. White may here state that Mr. Reveley has no bling that existing between the coach and the gunpowder is in appearance nothing more nor pecuniary interest in this invention, nor has new prime mover. Independently, therefore, less than its name implies-a perfectly white he attempted to protect it by a patent. He of other disadvantages, it is not to be wonimpalpable powder, resembling flour, powdered has, however, taken every opportunity to dered at that their passenger traffic became chalk, or magnesia in its appearance. With bring it into public notice, from a conviction virtually reduced to a mere trifle. Although whom it originated we cannot now say; we of its value, based upon practical experience. the question of obtaining any great speed can only go back ten years, when Mr. Henry Some years since, he forwarded, at the request upon canals, by means of steamers, has been W. Reveley, C.E., of Baker-street, Reading, of the authorities, a sample of three dozen almost given up, yet for goods traffic, in found the description of the composition and rounds of Enfield cartridges complete to the numerous instances, steam power has been its manufacture in a French newspaper. Royal Ordnance Department. To his great successfully substituted for that of horses. Since that time, Mr. Reveley has constantly surprise, the package was returned to him Steam vessels, both screw and paddle, have made and used it, in preference to the ordi- with the seal unbroken, accompanied by a been used in England, France, and Holland nary gunpowder, both on account of its note stating that the cartridges were not suit- as canal tugboats. Paddleboats, being prior superior propelling power-which is at least able for military purposes! We do occa-in construction to those upon the screw prinone-third greater-and its perfect cleanliness. sionally meet with strange proceedings in this ciple, were first tried, but their employment It produces neither smoke nor flash of flame direction, but this is the strangest we ever upon narrow canals is a matter of impossiat the muzzle on discharge, and can be used heard of. How the officials, without even in a casemate with perfect comfort to the looking at the cartridges, could arrive at the gunners. Mr. Reveley, to whom we are in- conclusion they did is to us a perfect debted for particulars of manufacture, has mystery, and so doubtless will ever remain. used it for every purpose to which ordinary We think it a pity, when anyone acts from gunpowder is applicable, and invariably with such purely disinterested motives, that some the most perfect success. little courtesy should not be shown them, if The manufacture of the various modern ex- even their representations are not quite in plosives-especially of the nitro-glycerine accordance with the views entertained by the species, or the application of the gun-cotton powers that be. We think that white gunprocess to vegetable granulations-is a deli- powder should have a fair trial, which, from cate chemical operation. The results, too, the evidence before us, we think would result are, for the most part, dangerous and uncer-in its general use. Mr. Reveley has intitain, as lately proved in the lamentable accident at Portsmouth, which resulted in the death of Lieutenant Meade, R.N., and his assistant. But Mr. Reveley has made many parcels of the white gunpowder during the last ten years, and has always found them uniform both as regards strength and other properties, and he has never met with the slightest accident, although he has tested it very severely. The composition of white gunpowder is as follows:

mated his readiness to attend any experi-
ments that may be made with this material,
and to promote the views of those who may
be desirous of influencing its general adop-
tion.

CANAL NAVIGATION.
improvements and extension of our in-
HATEVER might have been the future
land water communication, they were sum-
marily extinguished by the introduction of
railroads. The locomotive put as effectual a
stop to passenger traffic upon canals and inland
streams as the stationary engine did to the
utilization and development of the large water
power at our command. Had our water power
ever been utilized upon a proper scale, had
the most been made of our resources of that
description, it is certain that water power
would have stood a better chance against
steam power, and made a better fight against
'its rival and ultimate superseder. But the

bility, as the banks would be quickly eaten away and undermined by the action of the waves produced by the rotation of the paddles. Many of our readers have probably witnessed the effect produced by a large steamer on her voyage down the Thames, more especially if they happened to be in a small boat. The motion of the wave of translation is distinctly traceable from the ship to the shore, where it rolls upon the bank with considerable force. Even at some distance from the vessel the force of the wave is quite sufficient to capsize a small boat if she gets broadside on. Assuming that the screw has not so destructive an effect upon the banks, yet if the water be not of a sufficient depth it will be equally injurious to the bottom. It is calculated that for a screw to work up to its maximum the depth of water under it should not be less than its own diameter a condition not always obtainable in canals of even a good average width. To exist a certain amount of traffic, so as to keep employ tugboats remuneratively, there must them continually at work. It is very possible that could more traffic be developed upon our canal system it might lead to the introduction of a special class of boat, adapted to overcome some of the objections at present deservedly raised against their employment.

With the view of combating these obstacles, and with the endeavour of enabling canals to be navigated by steam vessels, M. Buquet and M. Lobnitz have designed a special description of tugboat in which there is but one paddlewheel, placed in the centre of the boat, somewhat after the fashion in which the scoops

The machine in question is the design of
M. Lecoq, of Paris, who is already well IIE first Act of Parliament authorizing
The construction of Street Tramways,

HE introduction and practical success of for the attention he has paid to

Tthe sewing machine has been sufficient thing connected with machinery for printing, on a scale sufficient to test their adaptability

numbering, and completing tickets of this for the omnibus traffic of large cities and
nature. The principle of the apparatus con- towns, received the Royal Assent on Friday
sists in the employment of circular cutters or last. The Act empowers the company to lay
discs, endowed with the same velocity of rota- down and work a line of tramway, in Liver-
tion, and between which the cardboard passes pool, running from north to south of the
in the form of ribbons or bands. Brought borough, passing through crowded and, in
within the action of the knives, they are each some instances, narrow streets, with a loop-
cut into ten pieces, and, falling upon an in-line in the centre of the town, enabling the
clined plane, arrange themselves one on top
of the other upon a table or movable tray,
which is removed so soon as it is loaded with

eulogy upon Mr. Moule's system of earth closets.

In

sions by the promoters. The two first at- year, as well as a variety of practical papers tempts to obtain a bill were defeated through on farming and cognate subjects. the combined opposition cf the omnibus The purification of the river Clyde has en- Mr. G. J. Gunther's name is well known to interest, whose vested interests were thought, gaged the special attention of Mr. Michael our readers as the author of a series of interestnot unnaturally, to be at stake, and of the Scott, C.E., a gentlemen whose professional ing and practical suggestions on the defence London and North-Western Railway Com-practice has well fitted him to deal with that of fortresses, which have appeared from time pany, who, for some reason not so readily question. He has embodied his views in a to time in our pages. This gentleman has apparent, felt called upon to resist an at-letter addressed to the Lord Provost of published a pamphlet upon a new system of tempted improvement in the internal traffic Glasgow, and which is published in pamphlet armour plating, which he has recently of Liverpool. Having passed the preliminary form by Maclehose, of Glasgow. Mr. Scott's patented." The plates are held by a framing stages, the bill was this year committed, and objects are the removal of the sewage, the at their edges, or are otherwise fastened toits promoters and opponents had a three days' improvement of the river Clyde, and the open-gether by an invisible joint, the bolts being fight in the committee, which ultimately de-ing of a new navigation. There is no doubt well protected from damage by shot. clared the preamble proved. The defeat of but that the river is in a filthy condition. Mr. designing the variously shaped plates he advothe opponents in the Commons was so com-Scott says that within several miles of the cates, Mr. Gunther has been guided by the plete that they did not attempt further op- city it is a great sewer, whilst the harbour is a well known and sound principle adopted by position in the Lords than standing order mighty cesspool. The problem presented for engineers and other constructors, which gives objections, which were not sustained. The solution is that either the quantity of sewage to iron or steel, whenever employed in such corporation required certain clauses which were thrown into the river must be diminished, or forms, the greatest possible strength with the cheerfully conceded by the promoters. So the quantity of diluting water must be in- maximum of useful results in the work they modified, the bill had the powerful support of creased. The first alternative is thus dealt will have to do. It is as yet an open question the corporation, and also of the principal with by Mr. Scott; he says:-" Intercepting whether the beaks or spurs of rams, as at mercantile classes of Liverpool, many of sewers being constructed, I propose that the present constructed, may not, in the case of whom gave evidence in its favour before the sewage of Glasgow should be raised by pump-à ram running into a hostile ship of equal or committee. The promoters of the bill also ing, carried along near the line of the Glasgow greater weight, becomes a source of danger petitioned at the commencement of the ses- and South-Western Railway as far as Dalry, on account of the chance of the enemy's sion, for the third time, for a bill authorizing then from Dalry to Fairlie Head, where it vessel slipping upon the top of the ram, certain trial lines of street tramway in Lon- would be discharged into the sea. This causing the sinking of both ships. Mr. don, but the House of Commons, not to the point projects out from the general coast line, Gunther therefore proposes to dispense with credit of its intelligence or fairness, we ven- the water is deep, and it is 5 miles from the the protruding beak, and in substituting in ture to think, refused to hear evidence on the nearest town (Ardrossan), advantages not to its place a strong vertical edge of iron or steel, merits, and postponed consideration of the be found at any other part of the coast with-reaching from where the spur now is up the bill for six months-that is, practically con- in a reasonable distance. The sewage of whole height of the bow of the ship. He so demned it without hearing or trial. We Paisley and Johnstone might also be removed shapes it that the momentum of the shock is understand that the crescent rail, which has by the same conduit. The chief disadvantage distributed over the whole height and width already been described in former numbers of would be the cost, for the line of conduit of the ship. Moreover, this iron edge would the "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE," will be adopted would be about thirty miles in length, for not form an essential part of the ship, but at Liverpool, and will be found in actual use, seven miles of which it passes through a hilly would be fastened to the prow in such a we doubt not, to offer no obstruction to the country. The lift would be great, and the manner that it could be detached in case of ordinary vehicular or other traffic of the annual expense of pumping very large. On need. There are many points in Mr. Gunther's streets. It is to be hoped that the Liverpool the whole, if it be determined that the sewage pamphlet to which those engaged in perline will be at work soon, and prove so suc- shall be removed from the river, I believe this fecting or developing our fortifications would cessful as to lead to the introduction of the would be the best plan; but it would certainly do well to turn their attention. We cannot system, and the improvement of omnibus involve a very large expenditure." The other now find space to dwell further upon these accommodation, so urgently needed, espe- alternative proposed by Mr. Scott is to points, and are the less anxious so to do, inascially in London. dilute the sewage, and, as the natural flow of much as Mr. Gunther has promised us some upland water is not sufficient for this pur- further communications on the subject of depose, he proposes to obtain the necessary fences, in which we may expect him to quantity from the sea. Mr. Scott proceeds enunciate his own special views upon this to work out his ideas, and to show that, by important subject. E have now reduced our accumulation of the action of the proposed works, at every It may be remembered that some 700 books to somewhat over a dozen, the tide a column of comparatively pure water British artizans visited the Paris Exhibition majority of which are pamphlets, the whole of may be so interposed as to prevent the reflux last year, under the auspices of the Working which we purpose disposing of in the present of the impure with the returning tide, and Men's Club and Institute Union. The result notice, making room for others which will thus twice in twenty-four hours the sewage has been an admirable series of twelve resoon take their place. As they form a mis- would be forced out to sea, never to return. ports on industry and manufactures, as recellaneous collection, we can scarcely pursue This is a highly important subject, and Mr. presented in the Exposition (Macmillan and. the plan previously adopted of classifying Scott deserves credit for the satisfactory solu- Co.) The volume of reports, which has been them under various heads. We will, there- tion he has found, which we commend to the edited by Mr. Dexter, the secretary to the fore, first take Mr. Timbs' useful collection serious consideration of the municipal institute, is a valuable contribution to trade of notable things,* which forms a supple-authorities of Glasgow. literature. It reflects great credit on each of mentary volume to "Things Not Generally Mr. Baldwin Latham, the engineer to the the authors, and should be in the hands of Known." In fact, it has grown out of this Croydon local board of health, has issued his every artizan whose trade or calling is reprelatter work, and has been compiled by Mr. report on the permanent sanitary works and sented by the reporters. Special prizes were Timbs with the view of keeping the readers their cost in that town. The report is well given for the reports on the various branches of that work posted up in their information. worth perusal by all interested in this direc-of industry. As a number of authors have That its contents are trustworthy, and there- tion, as showing what can be done when men been at work on the present volume, we canfore valuable, is guaranteed by the name of set to work with a will, and have such an not do better than give the subject-matter of the compiler, whose works are well known to energetic man as Mr. Latham to direct and each report, together with the name of the most of our readers. We have here a great carry out operations. Previously to the author, in the serial order in which they variety of information upon every conceiv- sanitary operations of the board, Croydon occur. Report No. 1 is on Pottery and able subject; in fact, to apply Douglas Jer- was notoriously low in the scale of health, Porcelain, by Thomas Kirkby, of Trentham. rold's description of "Things Not Generally the proportion of deaths being as high as 1 in No. 2, Gold and Silver Work, by P. RasKnown "it is a book to take a bite of now 36. Under the sound practice of Mr. mussen, of London. No. 3, Educational and then, and always with a relish," and one Latham, Croydon has become one of the Appliances, by Henry Major, of Nottingham. which is as full of information as a pomegra- the list. This has been effected by perfect- A. T. Greenwood, of Congleton. healthiest if not the healthiest parish-in No. 4, Maps and Educational Appliances, by No. 5, The journal of the Royal Agricultural.ing the sewage arrangements and the sewage Preparation of Leather, by Alfred Heswell, Society contains, as usual, a large amount of irrigation works; by improving the streets of Bermondsey. No. 6, Watchmaking, by information of special value to our agricul- and thoroughfares; by the construction of J. E. Bradshaw. No. 7, Iron, China and tural readers. We may specially refer to the waterworks, and by various other minor im-Ceramic Ware, by John Randall, of Salop. prize essay, by Mr. J. Bailey Denton, on land provements. The value of all this is shown No. 8, Cabinet Work, by H. D. Iland, of drainage and improvements by loans from not only in figures pointing to reduced rates Salford. No. 9, Cabinet-making, and the Government or public companies. There is and pecuniary gain, but in figures represent-woods employed in it, by C. A. Îlooper, of also the judges' report of the trials of the fixed ing the far more important item of saving London. No. 10, Cabinet Work, by Thos. and portable engines at the Bury show last human life, or, in other words, in reduced Paterson, of London. No. 11, Tools and bills of mortality. Machinery for the Manufacture of Steel and "Notable Things of Our Own Time." By JOHN Bearing upon the same question are the Iron, by Percy A. Sanguinette, of Chatham; TIMBS. London: Lockwood and Co., Stationers' Hal-Sanitary Siftings' " of a naval officer (E and No. 12, on Brickwork and Concrete Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng-and F. N. Spon), who compares the various Building, which is an abridgement from an land." London: John Murray, Albemarle-street. 1868. sewage systems, and concludes with an excellent report by an operative bricklayer,

WE

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

nate is of seed."

court. 1868.

named Simpson, and which appeared in the "Times." Several of the papers are illustrated by wood engravings.

The blunders which have been perpetrated in the engineering practice of the Bureau of Steam Engineering in the United States Navy have occasionally been noticed in our columns. These have formed food for a pamphlet by "An Engineer" on the other side of the Atlantic. The author does not spare Mr. Isherwood, and points out how the Bureau has adopted a type of boiler with inferior steam generating capacity, and cylinders far too small to allow of the economical use of steam. By the light of this brochure, which hails from 97, Nassau-street, New York, some insight may be had into the cause of the inadequate power and speed of American ships of war.

That the art of wood carving has of late become a popular pursuit is evident to all who have studied the contents of the least as well as of the greatest of the many general and local exhibitions we have had during the

past few years. We know not of the existence of any plain and concise handbook upon the subject which will meet the requirements of beginners. To satisfy this evident want "A Lady Amateur" has compiled a little work (Lockwood and Co.), which, to our minds meets the case most admirably. It consists of a set of plain practical instructions in wood carving, together with some sound hints on design, which are the result of the author's own experience. It is accompanied by a set of plates showing the tools required, and illustratiug some elegant designs for subjects in wood. To those who have no other help at hand we heartily commend the work before us as being well calculated to prove a useful guide to self-instruction.

national point of view.

The total estimate for tunnels and connections is placed at £4,224,490.

ELECTRICITY AND TELEGRAPHY.

THE

HE break which lately occurred in the Persian Under the initials of "F.B.," we have some Gulf cable, between Kurrachee and Gwadur, sensible observations and suggestions on the was speedily repaired; the repairing steamer being railways of the United Kingdom, showing on the station enabled Mr. Hirz, the engineer in how they may be rendered more serviceable charge, to proceed to sea at once and complete the and beneficial to the public generally than repairs within seven days. There being an alterthey now are, and much more remunerative native land line to this section, no inconvenience to their proprietors (Causton and Sons). or delay to the public service ensued, and messages Nothing could be more opportune than this were transmitted with their accustomed regularity at a time like the present, when railway companies are raising their fares in all directions, and compelling the public in some cases to use them as little as they can, and in others to disuse them altogether. Low fares and charges are strenuously advocated by "F.B.," who hits the right point when he refers to the penny postage, penny steamboats, penny newspapers, &c., in support of his argument. The present attempt to obtain dividends at the cost of public convenience will end in decreased receipts by railway companies, and -as far as metropolitan traffic is concerned increased earnings by the omnibus proprietary.

The Government surveying steamer has returned to Malta, having completed her survey of the direct line between there and Alexandria. The cable for this line is rapidly approaching completion at the Telegraph Construction Company's Works at Greenwich, the massive shore end having been completed at Mr. Henley's works at North Woolwich.

The "Hawk" from Malta repaired the break in the Alexandria and Benghazi section of the Malta and Alexandria Cable on the 4th inst.

We learn from New York that a company has

been started to establish communication between

the seaports and great towns of China, and ultiWe may here notice the voluminous and handsomely bound catalogue of Mr. Ber-mately to lay a cable from San Francisco to Shanghai. The company has obtained from the nard Quaritch, of 15, Piccadilly. To use the Chinese Government the privilege of submerging compiler's own words, "Seldom has such an cables between the principal ports. extensive catalogue of the chief or standard works of the literature of all countries been issued." The books are all classified, and reference is thus greatly facilitated. When we say that the work contains 1,130 pages, our readers will infer that it contains the particulars of a few books. The student of literature and the scholar may here take their choice, but the catalogue-in all other respects admirable-does not offer very great variety to the engineer or the architect.

Portions of

effectual

In the court of Chancery, the motion of Mr. Piggott against the Anglo-American Telegraph Company was refused by the Vice-Chancellor. The suit was instituted to prevent an alleged infringement by the company of the former's patent, and request was asked for leave to inspect the mode of working. Mr. Piggott's specification refers only to a particular form of cable, but the patent after describes a peculiar mode of working by keeping the cable constantly "statically charged." His claim is thus worded: "What I claim as new is the method of giving a static charge to a The thirty-fourth annual report of the Our accumulation of literary productions cable, and the means by which this is accomplished, Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society for 1867 is now nearly at an end, four more only as is set forth, and the manner in which I construct (Simpkin and Marshall), contains a number remaining for notice. The first of these my generators, and which are equally capable of of valuable papers on rock boring and is a glimpse of the social condition of the being used on land or submerged in sea or other tunnelling machinery. Mr. C. Le Neve working classes (Heywood and Co.), in which water, for telegraphs which may be used for this Foster gives an account of Bergstrom's bor- the author gives his experience of working cellor remarked "that the provisional specification purpose." In the judgment given, the Vice-Chaning machine, now in use at the Perseberg life in times past. He shows the fallacy of was for a cable and for nothing more. Mines, Sweden. The same gentleman also strikes, and proves that no combination of the plaintiff's and defendant's cables had been describes the rock boring machine used at men can keep up the value of labour beyond exhibited, and the difference between them was the Altenberg Zinc Mines, the machine used its power to remunerate the capitalist. Next, complete. No one could pretend to say that the being that of Sachs, mounted on Doering's Mr. James Smith, in a letter to the president construction of the defendant's cable was an instand. Some general remarks on boring elect of the British Association, 1868-9, de-fringement of the plaintiff's cable." machines, by Mr. Charles Fox, follow, and are monstrates Euclid to be at fault in the The patent itself is for a peculiar form of cable succeeded by a valuable paper on tunnelling theorem, prop. 8, book 6, and theorems 12 which was constructed for the more by machiney, by General Haupt. The and 13, book 2 (Simpkin and Marshall). To working by the plan Mr. Piggott argues is now infringed upon. The trial that took place some General's paper is fully illustrated by plates, our mathematical readers this may afford years ago with a cable specially constructed for showing Sommeiller's machine, and his own some discussion, and we shall probably hear working Mr Piggott's peculiar plan, was submerged in full detail. Mr. T. B. Jordan contributes of it again at the approaching meeting of the across the Channel to France, and turned out a two papers, one on high pressure steam British Association. Finally, we have two failure. We understand that there are some other boilers, and the means he has adopted to small treatises on aeronautics. The first is questions pending of infringement by the Anglorender them safe in his well known boiler; an essay on aerial navigation (Purcell and American Company of several other people's and the other on hydraulic machinery for Co., Cork), in which Dr. MacSweeney points patents. mining purposes. There are also other out various modes of directing balloons. papers of a similar useful character, and a When this treatise was first published we valuable tabulated account of the boring cannot say, but the second edition before us machines at the Polytechnic Exhibition of bears date 1844. We can only suppose it to last year, which is a study for all interested have been forwarded to us by Dr. Macin boring operations. Sweeney as an illustration of the futility of It has been proposed by a member of the all human ideas and proposals, and as an House of Commons to connect Great Britain evidence that he, at least a quarter of a cenand Ireland by means of a gigantic causeway tury since, proposed what has never yet been between the Mull of Cantyre and Tor Head, practically and thoroughly accomplished, and Antrim, at a cost of some seventy-five millions what probably never will be. The second sterling, and great interference with the ship- treatise is by Dr. Crestadoro, and treats of ping traffic. A considerable improvement his metallic balloons, some of which we saw upon this is the proposal to form a tunnel (without believing in) at the late Aeronautical under the channel between those points. This Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. Perhaps proposition is discussed at length in a report Dr. Crestadoro has sent us his pamphlet to by Messrs. Macassey and Scott, civil engineers strengthen our waning faith, which the exhi(Harrison and Sons). The submarine portion bition certainly found stronger than it left it. of the tunnel would only be a little over If so, let us assure the learned Doctor in his fourteen miles in length, whilst the bed of the own words that "there is a wide difference channel is peculiarly favourable to tunnelling between attempting that which is absurd operations. Convenient access can be ob- and that which is only difficult through the tained with Belfast and Derry on the Irish proper means having been not yet disside, and similarly at the Scotch end, where covered."

Glasgow is within reasonable distance. Many We have just received a valuable treatise advantages would arise from such a line of on lathes and turning, by Mr. W. H. Northcommunication both in a public and a cott, which we reserve for notice next week.

An action has been brought by Mr. Wright against the Silvertown Company for infringement of his patent for covering iron wire with hemp. had to give on undertaking to keep accounts, &c., The injunction was not granted, but the defendants and to permit Mr. Wright and two witnesses to examine the cable. The action is defended on the ground of no infringement.

Although the Anglo-American Telegraph Company have withstood the attacks against them by law, they have had their property attacked in a more vital point by an enemy they cannot withstand. We regret to announce that an interruption occurred to the 1866 cable, on the 3rd inst., about mid-day, and that communication has ceased by

that cable. We learn that large icebergs have been seen lately in the latitude of the cable, off Newfoundland, and although we have no definite news of where the break is, it is not venturing too much to say that the cause is the same that damaged the same cable before, and that the disaster being near Newfoundland, and therefore in shallow water, will admit of easy repair. Let us hope that that is the case. It is a strange coincidence, that this same cable was broken almost exactly at the same time last year. The cable was speedily repaired on that occasion, and we trust that equal speed and success may attend the company in the present.

66

An official announcement has appeared in the
Moniteur," contradicting the statement of Messrs.

Blackmore and Delessert that they hold a concession for the Franco-American Atlantic Telegraph, stating at the same time that the only concession in force is that lately given to Baron Erlanger and Mr. Reuter. Active steps are being taken for the formation of a company; specifications have been out and tenders sent in, and we are daily expecting to see the announcement of the new company with its accompanying prospectus. We have no further definite news of the Florida and Cuba cable; the only telegram received since that announcing the running short of cable stated "still grappling."

M. Bourgois, of Paris, states as the results of some experiments in the electrolysis of water, the novel fact that absolutely pure water, as also boracic acid, cannot be decomposed by an electric current, no matter of what power. In analyzing with the greatest care the hydrogen and oxygen obtained from the decomposition of water rendered conductive by hydrated potash or sulphuric acid, M. Bourgois states that he has always found that the disengaged gases belong not to the water but to the decomposed alkali or acid.

The Electric Telegraphs Bill having received the Royal Assent only requires the money bill to be acted upon. We may expect the latter to be brought forward early in the next session, when arrangements for the transfer will take place. We propose to place before our readers, in a future number, the engineering points relative to the telegraph and railway companies affected by this

transfer.

The first report of the Indo-European Telegraph has just been issued, showing the amount of progress, and the modifications in the original scheme. The principal alteration is reducing the length of the Black Sea cable by 100 miles, necessitating an additional length of 150 miles of

land line.

ΟΝ

INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS.

Steam

tion clutches. The former has a speed of 30ft. ings. New cylinders with improved Corliss exper minute, and the latter of 20ft. per minute. pansion gear have been erected at Saltaire from The lifting gear consists of a very long cast-iron designs by the writer, the engines and beam nut or screwed barrel, and inside the nut works a engines, with 50in. cylinders and 7ft. stroke, worklong screw, sliding upon two feathers upon a longing at thirty revolutions per minute. There are shaft, driven by a friction clutch from the clip two pairs of engines, four cylinders in all, the same pulley on the traveller. By the revolution of the size as the cylinders with double-beat valves, shaft the screw is traversed along with the nut. which they have replaced. The valve gear has The crane has two speeds for the lifting gear, one double clip valve rods, central dash pots, &c. The being at the rate of 6ft. per minute, and the other cylinders, as well as the cylinder covers, are steam at 3ft. per minute; and at the latter speed the jacketed; the valve chambers are cast with the crane is calculated to lift fifteen tons. The pull cylinders; the steam valves are in front, and the required to put the wire rope in motion when the exhaust valves at the back of the cylinders, while crane is standing idle is 1281b. When lifting a the valve gear is placed on the sides of the load of ten tons at the usual speed of 3ft. per cylinders between each pair of engines. minute, the additional pull upon the rope is 191lb., and exhaust passages are cast separate from the making the total pull 3191b. The horse-power cylinders, and provided with expansion joints. required with the wire rope is consequently 3-4 The double clip gear, as far as experience goes, with a load of ten tons, and only 14 when standing works with satisfaction, and is reliable and effecidle, these amounts being very much less than in tive at 100 to 120 revolutions per minute, and the case of the quick-moving cord crane. The could be worked at speeds considerably greater. crane has been in use at the Steam Plough Works More than sixty land engines, most of them of for two years, and has been found to be easily and large size, are now at work in this country fitted cheaply worked. with this gear; many of these have been at work Mr. William Inglis, of Manchester, then read a for several years, giving great satisfaction both paper "On the Corliss Expansion Gear for Sta- for economy of fuel and regularity of speed, and tionary Engines." It was stated that the Corliss a considerable number had also been made and engine (so called from Mr. Corliss, who intro- sent abroad. They are also being extensively duced the engine in the United States about used for marine purposes. The valves and gear twenty years ago) might, in all except the are easy of access, either for inspection or repair, cylinder, with its valves, be considered as sub- and from the number of engines at work it is stantially the same as any ordinary steam engine. proved that with good workmanship they can be Several principles are embodied in the arrange- kept in order at a very trifling expense. The ment of the cylinder and valve gear, which have consumption of fuel with these engines is about previously been used separately. First, inde-24lb. per indicated horse power per hour, which pendent ports for admitting and exhausting the includes all the coal used for raising steam or steam at each end of the cylinder are used with banking fires. four separate sliding valves, operated from a single eccentric. Second, cutting off the steam from the cylinder by the main steam valves, without the employment of any supplementary valves for the purpose. Third, opening the steam valves against the resistance of springs, and the employment of liberating gear, by which the valves are disconthe second morning (Wednesday week) of nected, and left free to be closed by springs. the annual meeting of the above Institution, Fourth, after the valves are closed, bringing the members again assembled at the Philosophical springs to rest without shock, by the application Hall, Leeds, for the reading and discussion of the contrivance known as the dash pot. The of papers; that by Mr. Fernie on the clip dash pot consists of a small cylinder with a close drum travelling crane was the first read. The bottom, in which a piston is fitted to work easily. writer observed that few mechanical improve- By a suitable arrangement of openings the air is ments have been so rapidly and extensively adopted as the flying rope travelling crane, and the extension of the application of this system has been so great that at the present time there is scarcely a shop for the manufacture or repair of locomotive engines but has several of these cranes at work. The travelling crane here noticed has been invented at the Steam Plough Works, Leeds. The idea occurred that an improvement could be made by adopting a steel wire rope working with a clip drum instead of a cotton rope acting by friction only, and that for out-door work in quarries or over docks for shipbuilding, where a cotton rope would be subject to injury by exposure to the weather, a steel wire rope would be preferable. The crane is employed at the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, for lifting locomotive engines and other heavy work ranging from fifteen tons downwards. It has a span of 40ft., and works in a shop 180ft. long. The three different motions, for longitudinal traverse, cross traverse, and hoisting, are all derived from one endless steel wire rope in. diameter and weighing 2lb. per yard. Driven at a speed of four miles an hour by means of the clip pulley fixed at one end of the shop, the rope is entirely unsupported between the two ends, and hangs loose with a slight tension, owing to the peculiar facility afforded by the action of the clip pulley. The clip pulley lays hold of the rope with an amount of grip proportionate to the strain of the load, releasing it from its grasp when the rope has passed the centre line. At one end of the travelling platform of the crane is fixed another pulley of the same size and construction, round which the same wire rope passes, being held up to its place by a grooved pressing pulley. The rope then passes on to the further end of the shop, and round the grooved pulley there, which has an adjusting screw, and is centred in a sliding frame. It is not proposed to have carrying pulleys for the wire rope for distances under 600ft., and in the case described, where the length of the shop is 180ft., it is found that the weight of the rope hanging in a curve is sufficient with the clip pulley to give power enough for driving the crane. The longitudinal traverse and the cross traverse gearing is of the ordinary description, the motion being communicated by fric

admitted freely to the cylinder, which the piston
is moving where a certain amount of air is im-
prisoned to prevent shock to the piston. Fifth,
regulating the speed of the engine by the governor
acting on the steam valve to cut off the steam
earlier, instead of acting on a throttle valve to
reduce its pressure. It is the embodiment of these
several principles, together with the arrangement
and construction of the details in the mechanism
employed, rather than the application of any new
or untried principle, that constitutes the special
novelty of the Corliss valve gear. Cylinders with
four separate passages and independent steam and
exhaust slide valve were used by Seaward more
than thirty years ago. The valves employed then
were flat sides, but were not worked in connection
with any liberating gear. A number of marine
engines were fitted with them at that time. In
the earlier Corliss engines, Seaward's cylinders
and slides were used, but the Corliss valve now
employed is a cylindrical slide, working in the arc
of a circle on its seat, and receiving a rocking
motion from the central valve spindle; but although
separate valves and passages were employed for
steam and exhaust at each end of the cylinder,
the motion imparted to the steam valves was in-
variable, and any expansion of the steam was
effected by the lap; the speed of the engine also
had to be controlled by throttling or shutting off
the steam with a supplementary valve, and here
there is in the Corliss gear the first step in ad-
vance by the addition of the principle of liberating
the steam valves.

Mr. W. Wield, of Manchester, read a paper on the machinery for weaving Brussels carpet by power. The weaving of carpets and other pile fabrics by self-acting machinery, instead of the previous hand labour, has occupied the particular attention of machinists from about the year 1842, and many inventions were made to effect the arrangement, but it was only between the years 1851 and 1856 that machinery for their manufacture was so far perfected as to be commercially successful. The paper related to one of the two classes of pile fabrics, that in which the pile is formed by the warp, the threads passing lengthwise. After giving a description, by the aid of diagrams, of the tapestry, Brussels, and velvet fabrics manufactured, and the processes employed, it was stated that in the first attempts at applying self-acting machinery, the wires were drawn out one by one from a bundle as required, and carried through the shed by a pair of nippers fixed at the end of a reciprocating rod, the wires being returned by hand to the bundle after having been woven into the fabric, and then withdrawn from the loops. The whole operation was made selfacting by dipping the wires successively from a hopper into a longitudinal groove in a rod, that was pushed through the shed in guides, and was then caused to make a half revolution by a screwinclined rod, which thus dropped the wire into its place into the shed. The wires were then withdrawn successively by reciprocating nippers, and carried up again into the hopper by endless chains. Afterwards an improvement was made by placing the wires singly in a triangle, from which they were pushed into the shed, and the wires were made with a hook at the back end of each, by means of which each wire was drawn out of the fabric successively, and then transferred to the triangle for re-insertion. Various contrivances were afterwards employed for supporting the wire pushed from a trough used as a guide. It has as it passed through the shed, the wire being since, however, been found practicable to introduce wires without having supports in the shed, and this is done in the loom now extensively employed by Messrs. Crossley, of Halifax. Besides the loose

wire there was another method called the fast It became necessary with the employment of wire system. There is an uncertainty of action liberating gear that a force should be available for in the loose wire system, which the writer considers closing the valves where they were detached, and may be entirely obviated in an improved loom for this purpose weights were used, but springs invented and made by Messrs. Sharp, Stewart, and have now been substituted for the weights, because Co. This construction of loom is known as the they are more quick in action, effecting a sharper roller wire motion, and is now extensively used. cut-off, and are better adapted for fast working. Diagrams of the mechanism in the improved form Liberating gear for the steam valves was actually were shown and explained at considerable length. used by Watt, but to Mr. Sickles, of New York, The invention embraces the advantages of both is due the credit of perfecting it as applied to the systems of working wires-good quality in the poppet or the double-beat valves in the well-known fabric produced by using a number of wires, and cut-off gear which bears his name. The action the advantage of the certainty of action, and and principles of the gear which have been men- belongs to the fast two-wire loom. It will weave tioned were described with much minuteness in 3in. of cloth per minute, and as many as 47yds. the paper, and with the aid of a number of draw- | have been woven in one day of ten hours, including