The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-09 00:00:00

STEAM NAVIGATION.

ARRIVAL OF THE " ARCHIMEDES" AT LIVERPOOL,. AND
EXPERIMENTAL TRIAL OF HER POWERS.
It has long been acknowledged by men who are conversant
with mechanical principles, that the common paddle-wheel
or rather water-mill wheel which has hitherto been the in-
strument of propulsion for our steam vessels, whether in
rivers or on the ocean, is beset with certain disadvantages,
which, however the principle might be modified, presented
great if not 'insurmountable obstacles, either to increased
speed beyond a limited rate of velocity ; or material reduc-
tion in the power, weight, and size of the engine, consumption
of fuel required ; or, consequently, of increased capacity for
stowage without great additional cost, and a vast increase
of tonnage.
The principal digadvantages alluded to we need but briefly
to notice. The principle of the, paddle-wheel is obviously
imperfect as a mode of ship propulsion. If the wheel be
proportionately small,' its operation is principally to tear up
or scratch the water : if large, this defect is partially reme-
died, but far,from wholly. The fact is, the first operation of
a revolving paddle-wheel is, to a certain extent, to smash
down the water, and its last operation is, to a certain (and a
greater) extent, to lift the water=-elevating a sort of fountain
or cascade abaft the paddle-box, all of which involves an ex-
penditure of steam power to a considerable extent, without
propelling the vessel. The increasing of the size of the wheel,
so that at length a small but wide portion or segment of the
periphery comes in contact with the water, diminishes this
disadvantage, but at the expense of additional leverage against
the engine—that leverage to be overcome being hell the dia-
meter, or the distance frown the paddle-shaft to the floats or
paddle-bands. There is nothing therefore, fiir it, but sheer
tearing force of steam.
Various modifications of the paddle-wheel have been pro-
ducedsome with paddle-boards so contrived that they
dipped perpendicularly into the water, and so rose out of it ;
others with the boards placed obliquely, and others placed
or 'worked in various ingenious ways, to remedy one or other
of the defects already alluded to. These, however, from
their complicated structure, and liability to derangement and
breakage, have generally been abandoned ; though we must
notice the dividing of the original " one" paddle-board into
two or three like steps, with interstices between, as a de-•
aided improvement, in the freeing of the wheel from water, the
plan of our townsman, Mr. Shaw, of the Dublin Steam-packet
Company, a gentleman of much experience in ocean steam-
navigation.
Another objection to the paddle-wheel is its weight and
unwieldy bulk, rising over the upperworks of a vessel, and
]resenting a rather unseemly hump, like that of the drome-
dary. , True, this has in modern large vessels been much re-
duced ; but it is still a top weight—still does the paddle-box
present a large surface to a beam wind, without the possi-
bility of " taking in a reer—and still is a: vessel, with such an
incumbrance, liable so to roll about, or to be thrown so far
on one side,, that one, of. the wheels may be. thrown for a time
out of the water. to the detriment of the engine and its
working.
Another, and the final objection to the paddle, is, that
the vessels so propelled cannot , carry sail to any extent,
without an equal derangement of their lateral equilibrium,—
in other words, they must he worked so, that the wheels
must, as far as paSsible, have an equal hold of the water on
each side,---which cannot be maintained with a lateral pres-
sure of sail. - Great, indeed wonderful, imprOvements have
been made in marine engines ; and steam navigation has,
consequently, gone on increasing and extending its ramifica-
tions and beneficial effects to the remotest quarters of the
globe. All that we contend is, that there was room for
improvement, of indeed entire novelty, in the " mode of pro-
pulsion," and that therefore every new and ingenious appli-
cation of a known mechanical agent, or instrument, or
invention of a new one, that may produce increase of speed,
with economy in fuel, and consequent saving of stowage,
should be fostered by an intelligent public, without any
feeling, of jealousy, as an accession of maritime and coin-
rnercial power ; an additional means of natural wealth, and
natural protection : and greater than all, as a means of
approximating country to country, and disseminating the
blessings of civilization, religion, and good-will amongst the
great family of mankind.
These remarks have been suggested by the arrival at our
port, since our last publication, of the Archimedes, steam-
yacht, and the pleasure we yesterday experienced in witness-
ing her performance on our river. It would be presumption
in us to assume, from her success hitherto, that her mode of
propulsion is so far superior to that now in use, that it must
be generally adopted. We will not go so far until further
experiments, and, doubtless, further improvements in that
mode have hecome developed. We are bound, however, to
State, that so far the superiority of this novel application ap-
peared to many practical nautical gentlemen, and others
versed in steam navigation, to be altogether decisive. There
can be no doubt of its superiority, if once fully brought out
with those improvements which practical experience will
suggest ; and even now, as will be found in the sequel, the
Archimedes has outrun several crack steamers in our river,
and has, moreover, shewn that she is a fast sailer under can-
Vas, and independently of steam. Bet we must permit our
readers to judge for themselves.
THE ARCHIMEDES.
The application of the " Archimedeen screw" for the pro-
pulsion of vessels, was first tried by Mr. Francis P. Smith,
the present patentee, about four years ago, on a boat 32 ft. in
length, and about six tons burtlien. The screw was workel
by a two-horse engine, and such was the success of the first
experiment on this small scale, that the present vessel was
finally projected and completed—Mr. Smith, an intelligent
poung man, having, by that perseverance which is peculiar
`to genius, overcome numerous obstacles, opposed by preju-
dice and opinion, and by constant devotion to his object and
a great outlay of capital, achieved what may assuredly be es-
teemed a triumph of modern science.
• TheArchimedesis rigged as a smart three-masted schooner,
with her masts raking. She is of a beautiful model, and
having no paddle-boxes, she has the appearance of a pleasure
yacht, the tine being comparatively slender. The following
are her dimensions.—
Length over all
between perpendiculars
Extreme breadth
Depth of hold
Draft of water (average) .... 10
Capacity
Power of engines
The mode of propulsion is by, it might be said, a portion
only of the Archimedean`sCrew. When the vessel was first
tried, a full turn of that species of screw (like a patent cork-
screw, on a central straight spindle) was employed. The in-
ventor afterwards, for the sake ofcompactrtess, introduced the
double threaded screw of half a turn to each thread, as more
applicable to thiS vessel, although he rather prefers the other.
This is of iron, and is fixed in the run of the vessel, in the
dead wood in front of the stern post, andlworks transversely
with the keel, radiating the waterin every direction. The
diameter of the screw, (which is on the principle of the skull,)
is 5 feet .9 inches, and its length 5 feet. It would almost ap-
pear impossible, that so small a portion of machinery could
propel a vessel of such length, but the hold it takes of the
water, and the velocity with which it turns gives its great
advantages. it is quite under the surface, and is therefore
invisible by spectators either on board or on shore. It is
worked by a spindle, forming its axle, running fore and aft,
and its velocity is acquired by spur wheels and pinions. Each
revolution of the larger wheel, turned by the cranks of the
engines, gives, by the multiplied powir, five and one-third
revolutions of the screw. The hole or aperture required for
the screw is square, and the operation of the propeller does
not appear to interfere with the steering, which is managed
with the facility of a small boat. The shafts of the engine
work, fire and aft,—the 'cranks working transversely, so as
to communicate the power directly by cog wheels to the
screw. The larger wheel is toothed or cogged with horn
beam (timber.) The engines are compact, but of short
stroke, and not, we think, equal to what we could accomplish
in our good old term, "if we were put to the screw." The
whole aparatus, indeed, is necessarily as a new application
capable of improvement, which will gain both - compactness
nd speed, and are already obvious to the inventor and his
riendsi—though even now the, " Archimides " is a crack
teenier. The vessel has given origin to " the Ship Pro-
tiler Company."

.... 12. i feet
.... 107
.... 261

THE TRIP VERTERDAY.

By special invittinn,;tutlCrWientlemen and their
friends, including-ladies went on board about noon. The
vessel was lying moored to the buoy off George's-pier, and
" set screw " about twenty minutes afterwards. Captain
Chappel, R. N. who has accompanied the. vessel by
direction of the AdMiralty, from London and other inter-
mediate ports, including Bristol and Plymouth, to report
upon her capabilities, was on board, and was unremitting in
his polite attention to ail on board—explaining to them, in
conjunction with Mr. Smith, the inventor, the whole princi-
ple of the propelling mechanism. The day was delightfully
tine ; the deck and cabin of the vessel roomy and comfort-
able, and the whole trip highly pleasant and exhilarating.
There were from fifty to sixty ladies and gentlemen on
hoard, and all appeared highly .to enjoy the experimental
trip. There were on board representatives of the first
mercial, steam navigation, and engine and shipbuilding
houses, in the town. We noticed amongst those present,--•-•
the Mayor, Captain BeVis, R.N., Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Wilt- '
wick, Mr. Samuel Turner, Mr. -H. Littledale, Mr. Brockle-
bank, Mr. Jno. Pollock, Captain Fayrer, Captain Engledue,
Mr. A.spinall, Mr. Byron, Mr. Gusrew (of Scotland), Mr.
Wilson, Mr. Smyth, and many other gentlemen. Amongst
the ladies were several of Captain Bevis's family.
The vessel first steamed up to Birkenhead, at a good
speed, and afterwards ran back to opposite the-George's Pier,
and thence down the river and North Channel, and round the
Formby Light Ship. Her utmost speed was about 91 knots.
She was looked upon with astonishment by hundreds on; the
quays, mid ethers on shipboard who had not before seen her.
On returning up the river, the guests were invited
to the spacious cabin, and partook of a sumptuous cold
collation, with wine, &e. The. mayor proposed " Success to
the'Archimedes, and to the spirited company who had sent
her out," which was drunk with enthusiasm. A second ,set
of guests afterwards sat down, and numerous toasts were

drunk.
On running down, the Archimedes beat the swiftest of the
Egreinont boats. and on going up to the Sloyne, she passed
her Majesty's tender the Red Wing. Indeed, no boat
on the river had ally chance with her. She turned in a
very short space of room. After another run past the piers
and down to the Rock, the steam was entirely put off; and
she beat up under sail—back to the Sloyne in good style,
showing good sailing qualities, though cramped for sea-room.
She then returned to her moorings off the pier and landed
her passengers—all highly delighted with the trip and the
success of the experiment.
The only disagreeable sensation is a rumbling noise made
by the cog-wheels, which, however, engineers state may be
overcome or greatly reduced.
We had purposed to be much more minute, but must for
the present confine ourselves to a few additional particulars.
The screw on the same principle may be applied to sharp
sailing vessels with advantage. The propelling power is not
affected by the vessel leaning to leeward. The screw may
be thrown out of gear in two minutes, so that the vessel may
' be put under sail alone. The screw is thea.t4rned by themotion
of the vessel ; but the drag is not more than 4 a mile in 10.
The Archimedes has steamed 101 knots, has gone antler sail &
steam conjointly 111 knots, and has gone 9 under sail. There
are several vessels in London, to which the principle is about
to be applied ; many naval officers have highly approved of it ;
and we learn that Admiral Sir E. Codringtou has expressed
an opinion to the Admiralty that a frigate ought to be Imme-
diately fitted out with the " screw."
We understand that it is probable the Archimedes may
make another trip before leaving this port, for the gratifica-
tion of parties interested in steam navigation—probably to-
morrow.

MESSRS. PERKINS AND BACON.—These distinguished
engravers are conceived to have attained the very acme of
their art, and' the varied, tasteful, and perfect designs which
are continually published by them, exhibit the most complete
triumphs of the artist's skill. Nor is the merit of their pro-
ductions confined to their mere beauty alone, their utility is
equally obvious and important, and they afford e protection
against fraud and counterfeit, which would doubtless be
unattainable by any other means. Our advertising columns
contain the account of a most perfect and costly label which
they have executed, at the suggestion of the proprietors, for
the protection of ROWLAND'S MACASSAR OIL ; respecting
which we shall only extract from the advertisement the fact,
that the above words are repeated in a style of microscopic
engraving nearly 1500 times, comprising nearly 30,000 letters
—so minutely, yet so perfectly executed, as to set all fraud
and imitation at defiance.

Tile SEA.SO.—We are happy to state that the reports of
the weather from all parts of the country are most favourable,
more: or less so. There appears to have fallen a great deal
more rain in Ireland, as well as throughout Scotland, than
we have had in England, but the accounts from every quarter
of the kingdom are uniformly satisfactory, as to the prospects
of a year of great plenty of all the fruits of the earth.—
Preston Pilot.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-FRIDAY.

PTSOOVERY OF A STOLEN WATCII.-CURIOUS CASE.

A person named M'Kenna was placed at the bar, on a
charge of having in his possession a stolen watch, knowing it
to be stolen. The prisoner, who is a tide-waiter in the cus-
toms, was tried at the last assizes for a rape on a child 'who
lived with him, and was acqUitted. It appeared that the
Prisoner had parted with the watch in order to defray the
expenses arising out of his prosecution at .the assizes, and a
person into whose' hands -it ultimately, fell; offered it for
pledge at a pawnbroker's, who, knowing from the description
given at the time of the robbery that the watch had been
stolen, detained it and the . person who presented it. The
latter immediately gave up the name of the prisoner as the
party from whom he had received it. The owner of the
watch, who lives at No. 5, .Pitt,strect, informed the bench
that he was the owner of a vessel called the Yeoman, and the
..vatch now produced, which was his property, was stolen from
that ship in 1838, when the prisoner had her in charge as
tidewaiter. The prisoner, who was asked by the magistrate
what he had to say in answer to the charge, said that about
five months ago, when he had the keeping of a ship in the
Prince's Dock, one of the sailors came to him and asked him
whether he could keep a secret. He (the prisoner) replied
that he could ; and the man - showing him the watch; said
that it was stolen, but that he should have it if he would
advance £2 or £3 on it. He advanced the required amount,
and the man from whom be received it having gone to sea,
the watch had remained in his posession ever since. This
explanation not being deemed satisfactory to the magistrates,
the prisoner was remanded.

SUSPECTED ROBBERY BY THREE FEMALES

Three females were brotight before Mr. Rushton, on suspi-
cion of having stolen, and then 'pawned, a quantity of ladies'
bobts from the shop of Mr. Dutton, London-road. They
were respectable, intelligent lookinirgirls, the eldest appa-
rently about eighteen years of age, the next about fourteen,
mil the youngest not more than e.e. or twelve.
A pawnbroker stated that the girls had been in the habit of
pawning articles with him during the last twelve mouths; and
when one of them came yesterday with a pair of new boots,
suspecting that-tbe3;blia teen stolen, be caused her to be de-
tained until his scruples were satisfied. .He traced the boots
to Mr. Dutton, to whom he believed they belonged, as also
several other pairs which he had in pledge.
Mr. Dutton stated that he believed the boots produced be-
longed to him ; they bore his private mark ; but lie felt un-
willing to press the charge against them. Each of the girls
had lived in his house, and one of then), the eldest, was at
present lodging with him. His suspicions were directed
against one of the prisoners only—the other two he believed
to be innocent of any fraud; but still, as he could not posi-
tively swear that the property had been purloined ,froxu his
shop, he must decline-to -prosecute.• .
Mr. Rushton complimented Mr'. Dutton on his forbear-
ance and caution and after reading a suitable lecture to the
three prisoners, they left the court.
[A letter appears in another column correcting one or two
of these statements.]

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

MANCHESTER-FRIDAY EVENING.

The general opinion mentioned o❑ Tuesday evening, that
Launcelot would win, was only falsified by the performance
of the admirably-mimed horse, "Little Wonder," for he
stands only fourteen hands two or three inches ; 'and. the sur-
prise , here was " prodigious." He has often been talked
about, but seldom backed. Some 200 to 5 were laid against
Forth's two, and 25 to 1, to a small sum, laid very late on
Wednesday night against him and the Gift colt. As a public
winner, he will be very bad for the Manchester market, but
a splendid one for many of the fieldsmen, who have laid
against so many horses, and had Little Wonder without a
friend to take the copious odds which they would have laid
against him. Two or three gentlemen " throw- in" for up-
wards of ten thousand pounds at all events—such is the
rumour. Betting flat, at the following prices :