The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-10-18 00:00:00

STEAM CARRIAGE TO GREENWICH.

Sir Charles Dance's steam-carriage performed four
journeys to and from Greenwich on Tuesday, starting
from the office in Wellington-street at eleven, a quarter
to one, half.past two, and four o'clock. It accomplished
the distance each time in from three to five minutes over
the half hour. When we consider the heaviness of the
road, in consequence of the late rains, and that the engine
is somewhat worn, being the same that plied some time
ago-between Cheitenhanrand,Gloueester, wwe may safely
maintain that the capability of travelling on common
roads by means of steam is fully established ; and it is
confidently anticipated that considerably greater speed
than the present, which averages ten miles an hour, will
be attained when the new engines and carriages in pre-
paration shall be started. Till that time the present
machine is, we believe, destined to make the journey
four times every day. The place of starting is well
chosen in every respect, and the powers of the
engine are exhibited in beautiful perfection along the
level of Wellington-street and Waterloo-bridge. It de-
scends the hill un the Surrey side at the rate of 16 miles
an hour, and stops at the station-house to take in water.
It then performs the rest of the journey without inter-
ruption, and in a manner at once easy, pleasant, and
perfectly free from any sort of danger, the engine being
detached from the carriage, and the boiler being so con•
strutted of separate tubes that the bursting of any of
them would be unattended with injury, even to the con-
ductor. They are capable of bearing a pressure of
1,5001b5. to the square inch. The facility with which
the machine is stopped or turned is truly admirable ; the
speed may also be relaxed in a greater or less degree on
any emergency and at a moment's notice. This was cle-
verly evinced in one of the trips yesterday, when the road
was blocked up by a herd of oxen ; and on another occa-
sion when one of the Greenwich coachmen foolishly at-
tempted to drive athwart it. On returning it ascends
the hill on the Surrey side of the bridge in gallant
style at the rate of six miles an hour. At each starting
place the machine is slightly raised from the ground,
and the wheels set in action for the gratification of the
throngs who accumulate round it. It constitutes not the
least interesting feature in this trip to and from Green-
wich to witness the amazement of some, the curiosity of
others, and the admiration of all as the carriage moves
through this populous line of road. We may almost say
that along the whole distance the way is lined with spec-
tators, while anxious crowds await its appearance at the
two resting places. It could, indeed, scarcely be other-
wise. However familiarized we may have become with
the theory of land travelling by steam, the practical exhi-
bition of it must be quite a novel excitement; and we
cannot but be impressed with feelings of admiration and
pride in contemplating this splendid triumph of science.
It forms an epoch in our history, and in the life of every
man who views with attention and interest the progress
of civilization.—True Sun.