The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-12 00:00:00

PETROLEUJf AS FUEL.

In a late number we gave an account of the application
of petroleum as a means of generating steam for propel-
ling vessels, for which purpose tho United States steamship
Palos was fitted with the necessary apparatus. We now
give the account of the trial trip, taken from the Boston
Advertiser of the 15th Juno:--

The Palos left her dock at the navy yard at ten minutes
before 11 o'clock, and returned to it shortly before ono.
When she had been out fifteen minutes it was found that
she was moving through the water at a rate of over eleven
and a half miles an hour, and she was gaining steadily
with thirty-eight pounds of steam, having started with
thirty-five pounds. This fact caused considerable sur-
prise on board when it was shown that, under the coal
as fuel system, upon its first trial trip, when the vessel
was new, its best time was only eight knots an hour, and
that it had not made better time than eight and a half since
until now. It was further clearly demonstrated to the
intensely interested passengers that the Palos was in very
poor trim, that her bow stood up from the water and her
stern was planted down ; that she dragged dead water and
in several other respects was not all right, and therefore
that the rate of speed under the circumstances was rather
extraordinary.
The vessel went down the harbour past the forts and
islands, and out to sea a short distance beyond Boston
Light, and then returned by a somewhat circuitous route.
The first 48 minutes she made over eleven and a half
miles, and ran upon the entire trip twenty-five miles in
1 hour and 55 minutes. With her action and the success
of the experiment there was general satisfaction among
the passengers, and much enthusiasm was shown by the
scientific gentlemen.
The Palos, which made this novel trip, is a small gun-
boat, and formerly used four coal fires, and had a crow of
twenty firemen and coal passers. With the petroleum
apparatus she requires a crew of only three men,
as the supply of fuel is easily regulated, and cin-
ders or ashes are made. The petroleum is supplied from
two large iron tanks placed on dock, each tank haying a
glass gauge at its aide to indicate the height of the petro-
leum, and a vent pipe upon the top to permit the escape of
vapour. From these tanks the petroleum is conducted by
halt-inch pipes to the boiler furnace. It there drops into
iron retorts, heated by boilers placed beneath them, and is
instantly vapourisod. This vapour, in burning, is mixed
with steam, decomposed by passing through the pipes
Partially filled with iroa filings, and with oxygen sup-
plied by atmospheric air, forced in by a common air
pump. The heat thus generated is intense, and it
is a
noticeable fact the combustion is so perfect that no smoke
is perceptible. A diminution of the supply of air or steam
at once creates a smoke. Iler engine is about 80-horse

power.
This initial voyage will be followed by several others
so as to completely test the invention. Should it be
will
found to be all that promises, undoubtedly it
create a revolution in the manner of propelling
steamers and locomotives, and such machines. The
advantages of petroleum as fuel over coal are appa-
rent. For the trip yesterday about four barrels of oil
were used; tho captain of the boat
been declaresconsumed in that some
the
six
or eight tons of coal would have
same work. .t.. largo amount of coal would have been
required to start the fires, and much would have boon
wasted when the sail was completed, as the heat was
kept well up until the last moment. Whoa it was
given out yesterday that the fires wore needed uo
longer, by simply turning two or three throttle
valves the flames were extinguished, and in a few minute's
time tho fires were down. Of course there were no ashes
and no dirt, and the fire-room was as clean as could be, and
the neat carpet with which the floor was covered was not
soiled in the least.
Colonel Henry B. Foote, of Tennessee, the inventor,
superintended the work in the fire-room, which was ex-
ceedingly light and not disagreeable, and Engineers C.
W. Pennington and Henry W. Scott had charge of the
engine.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, 7 o'CLocK.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE—This Diy.

LIVERPOOL RACES—THIS DAY.
(cv ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
• SEFTON HANDICAP.
The Soften Handicap of 5 sues each, 2 ft (to the few])
with 50 added; winners of any handicap after July 2,
at 11 a.m., 101 b extra ; about three quarters of a mile.
Mrs. Stratton 1
Monitor
Frost
Six ran.
BADMINTON STAKES.
Tho Badminton Stakes of 10 sovs each, h ft, with 100
added, for two year olds ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 61b ;
winners of a two year old stake of 200 soya 71b, of two
such stakes 101 b extra ; maider s having started allowed
51b. T.Y.C. 15 subs.
Torch
Warrington • • 2
Electricity
LIVERPOOL CUP.
Tho Liverpool Cup of 200 sows, added to a handicap of
25 sovs each, 15 ft ; winners of a handicap 100 sovs after
Juno 25 (at eleven a.m.) 51b, twice or 200 sovs 'lolb ex.
One mile and a half, starting site the Stables ; 75
subs, 48 of whom declared.
Challenge
Mrs. Allan • • 2
Moldavia 5
Eight ran.
Won by a neck. Five lengths between second and third.
Archimedes and East Lancashire were scratched.
HANDICAP PLATE.

• Contract
King Charles 2
Prelate

WELTER CUP.
The Welter Cup of 50 sovs, added to a handicap of 5 sovs
each, 2 ft (to the fund); winners of any handicap after
July 2 (at eleven a.m.) 101 b extra; gentlemen riders ;
jockeys 71b extra ; one mile.

Merry Ilarp
Harry Hieoyor

Malvern

BICKERSTAFFE STAKES.
The Bickerstaffe Stakes of 100 soya each, h ft, for three
year olds; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst fib. One wile; 3
subs.
..

Feodor brat Wroughton easily.
LIVERPOOL ST. LEGER.
The Liverpool St. Leger of 20 sovs each, h ft, with 100
added (if three run), for three year olds; colts Bst 101 b,
fillies Bst 61b. One mile and a half ; 15 subs.
Vorulmam 1
Gipsy King • • 2
Tumbler
Five ran.

lIUNGERFORD RACES—THIS DAY.
STAND PLATE.
Roindeer
Thorn
Alberto
Eleven ran. 3 , *..--..L:.
KINTBURY STAKES. 4-..,. '4
4:
'moll
4
*l6-. .1
Woodpecker 6. .1.1
.:,:. ,t,,- .'•
Five ran. '.
SELLING STAKES.:.I.-... ~.
Hopvine '4: '',ii"'" i°
Gentian - ...i..i .3
• •
Seven ran.
NURSERY PLATE. ,i,,,,-..f 4*.. . .
Englishman 4,44,01/- 1
Cactus ' '44;1444. 2
Substance 707:i.,...
e..- , ,
Seven ran. ;:,. 1
JOHN O'GAUNT STAKES. ,
Lord Paramount
Elegance ....1
Wild Dove
Six ran.

JACK 0' NEWBURY HANDICAP.
Hopevino
Gentian
Miss Alice
Nine ran•

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—This EVENING.
The LonD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack a
five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The John Kendrick's Loan Charity Bill was read a
second time.
The West Sussex Junction Railway (Amendment) and
Devon and Somerset Railway (Amendment) Bills were
read a third time.
PREFERENCE SHAREHOLDERS IN RAILWAYS.
A desultory discussion took place as to a bill now pass-
ing through the House of Commons with regard to a
definition of the rights of preference shareholders. The
Earl Grey, Earl Granville, and other noble lords took
part.
MEETINGS IN ROYAL PARKS BILL.
The Earl of DERBY said that the pressure of important
business had been so great that they had not been able to
bring in a bill on this subject, but that they would very
sbortly do so, and he, therefore, asked his noble friend
(Lord P,,edesdale) to postpone his motion.
Lord REDESDALE, after commenting on the import-
ance of the question being settled, agreed to postpone the
motion.
CHRIST CHURCH (OXFORD) ORDINANCES BILL.
The Archbishop of CANTERBURY moved the second
reading of this bill, and said that, though it was a local
question, it was a most important one.
After a few other unimportant remarks, the Bill was
read a second time.
CONSECRATION OF CHURCHYARDS BILL.
On the motion for the report of amendments on this
bill to be received, it was agreed to.
I LEFT SITTING. I

HOUSE OF COMMONS—TiIIs DAY.
The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock.
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE BILL.
On the bringing up of the report of the committee on this
bill a discussion took place on various matters of detail,
none of which involved any particular point of
©i
in the bill, and the consideration of the clause conferring
tho franchise on lodgers.
Mr. BOUVERIE made a somewhat lengthy statement,
the effect of which was that ho considered it inexpedient
to confer the franchise on persons in such a position.
The result, however, was that the amendment of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was merely to clearly
define that lodgers should be of full age and subject to no
legal incapacity before they should be entitled to vote, was
agreed to.
Mr. TAYLOR moved an amendment to the clause, the
effect of which was to secure the vote to lodgers changing
their place of residence.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was
of opinion that the proposal would be inexpedient because
it went to the extent of giving the veto t) lodgers in suc-
cession.
Tho proposed amendment was rejected.
Mr. AYRTON moved the following addition to clause
s:—" Whore, after the 29th day of September next, any
premises in any borough are let for a less period than ono
year, or the rent reserved in respect thereof is made payable
at any shorter period than three months, 019 owner as
well as the occupier shall bo rated to the relief of the poor,
and shall be liable to pay the rates in respect thereof, with-
out prejudice to any contract between the owner and oc-
cupierregarding their liability as between themsel
receiving es
to
the
the
payment of such rates. The person
rent of any premises from the occupier or occupiers
thereof on his own account, or as agent or receiver for
any corporation or person under disability
and
estehde
therein, shall, for the purposes aforesaid be deemed
iemdau
rated as the owner of the premises." The hon g t
object in
premises i n s
udeohi n gas soh
osawkinerthoef
I set at defiance the
e
than one year, whereby he could uht y
wasdosctoribeldr.sovfesiLtaktihneg
such an arranement as to letting them for shorter periods
franchise. Neither
terfered with the actual exercise o 9
rate collector. The adoption of the
tteher lause in no way in-
would affect the question of composition
ould be tt'ng
The SPEAKER decided that the q
put at this stage a thenbill,tuewstion could not be
ersos. Itascould not be entertained
ha
ought to have been submitted to the com-
utheagupon certain p
ur It .
mittee.
The consideration of a number of technical and verbal
amendments to the bill occupied the attention of the house
to seven o'clock, at which hour tho sitting was sus-
up
pended.