The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-31 00:00:00

BLAXLAND'S SUBMARINE PROPELLER.

Among the many inventions, the object of which has been to
substitute for the old avowedly disadvantageous system of
paddle- wheels some mechanical power which should act from
the stern of the vessel, and below the surface of the water, none
has been hitherto formed more efficient in its working, or more
completely overcoming the difficulties attending the problem,
than that of Mr. Blaxland. The propeller itself ieextremely
simple in form, consisting of a variable number of arms
radiating from the centre, the extremity of each arm being pro-
vided with a number of flat blades in close succession, and each
being placed transversely to, anti forming a slight angle with,
that immediately below it. The whole surface presented by
each set of blades meets the water at the greatest depth
in an angular position, and in rising or descending allows
the water to pass through the small openings between
the plates. One of the most important and remarkable
points of the Invention is the method of conveying the
motion to the shaft of the propeller. This is effected through
the medium of drums and pullet's connected by straps or ropes,
the working of which is perfectly smooth and noiseless, a great
advantage compared with the system of spur wheels and pinions
pre.iously employed, the noise and tremulous motion from
which is represented as intolerable. In bringing his, invention
before the public, Mr. Blaxland has followed a course which
by establishing a direct comparison with the old system, settles
the question of superiority in the most un.aiswerable way.
ft.s first application of the propeller was to the Janee a paddle-
wheel steam-boat of three tons, with an engine of e -horse
power. Retaining the same engine, he moved this vessel at a
speed of 7% miles per hour, obtaining an increase sif 2% on
its previous velocity. The propeller has been now applied
in the same way to another steam-boat, the Swiftspre from
which the paddle-wheels hare been removed, While the
engines, of 20-horse power each, are retained, and ton Satur-
day last, at 12 o'clock, five of the Lords a the Admiralty,
namely, Lord Haddington
Sir G. Cockburn, Sir W. H.
Gage, Sir G. F. Seymour, and the Right Hon. H. T. L.
Corry, together with the Hoe. S. Herbert, the Secretary, Were
received us board by Mr. Blaxland and Mr. Steinman, co.
proprietor with the inventor of the patent. The velssel then
proceeded down the river to within a short distanee,of Dept-
foi d Dockyard, and returned to Whitehall-stairs by a quar-
ter-past two o'clock. During the whole of the trip, their
Lordships paid the closest attention to the working of the
system, and informed themselves minutely on every, particu-
lar. The apparatus by which the proper degree; of speed
is communicated to the propeller, which, in this instance,
was moved by ropes laid in grooves over the drumg,:appeared
in particular to raise their admiration at the smoothness and
quietness with which it worked, and on leaving the vessel
their Lordships expressed themselves very muck pleased
with all they had seen. Mr. Blaxland was ordered to bring the
propeller to the Admiralty in the course of the week. That
e Inch was used on the occasion was constructed with only two
aims, the plates at each extremity being five in number. Not-
withstanding the disadvantages presented by the build of the
Swiftsure, which renders her name somewhat ironical, Mr. Max-
i .nd has succeeded in increasing her speed from 7i miles to 9 per
hour. An increase of speed such as this, which Mr. Blaxland
in every instance promises, together with the other advantages
of getting rid of such ineumbrances, both in weight and bulk,
as paddle-wheels and boxes, and the absence of all swell from
the motion of the propeller, render it almost beyond,a doubt
that Mr. Blaxland will shortly see his invention generally
.adopted. It was expected that the Jane would also have been
in attendance last Saturday, but this was prevented, in conse-
quence of her haring-been sent to Endfield, where the Capabi.
litres of the invention for canal navigation were to be tested.