The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-07-02
MR.. PRRYiNs's STEAM ENGINE.

HI ouutAfOb Az aSS|itPAoh Va kNta
invention, contained in the letter from
London, published in our paper on Sat-
urday, we now publish the following ex-
tract from the letter of another gentle-
man of this town, to his friend here. COM
tanning some further information respccts
ing it. The letter is dated London, A.
pril "a.
"You have probably heard ofMr. Per-
kins's new and Important Improvements
OF the steam engine--but as have seen
ii in operation, aud have conversed with
Mr.. Perkins on the subject, I will merely
mention the principle on which the inn
provement is founded. He was never a.
bic to account for tho fact tina, the bot.
tom ola copper vessel is burn, through
even when kept full of water. 1t occurr.
ed to him at length, that whenever a
great heat is applied, there is always a
large space, between the bottom and the
water, occupied by steam, which acts as
non.conductor. His object then was
to place the water under such pressure
that it should be kept in contact with the
bottom of the vessel, and that no room
should be left for the admission OF steams
and then, Of course, all the caloric would
be transmitted into the water. This he
has effected. and saving is made ofnine.
tenths OF the fuel usually consumed.
The water is raised to the temperature
of 400 or more Of Fahenheit, and on ita
escape from the boiler is converted into
steam. This system unites the two OBJ.
jects which were wanting to render the
steam engine useful on long voyages.
1t is worked with so little fuel, that il viii
be no Inconvenience to carry enough for
the ionges: voyages--and the machins
occupies but the tenth part of the space
of the old ones. Indeed. one vessel ia
now preparing to sail for India, with ar,
engine Of this construction Of sixty horse
rower.
SIT is said that Mr.. Perkins has had
great offers made him for rights to use
his invention. He offers TO make an.
gines at half the price of Watt g Bolton,
and demands only one third of the value
OF the savings in fuel. One singular
fact is observed, viz. that the higher the
temperature ofthe water is, the lower i,
that OF the steam. That of boiling water.
at certain distance, scaids--that of wa.
ter at temperature Of 400 degrees az
the same distance is merely tepid. It's
explained on the principle Of its extreme
expansion. Perkins thinks he could
raise the water to so high a temperature
that the steam would be converted into
snow. He is certainly playing strange
tricks with his mechanics. A great
number of lords and ladies have been 10
see his work>shop--and the Swans. a.
mong others MIR: Wollaston, and sir
Humphrey Davy, though at first incredu.
lousA~are now satisfied Of the truth os
his pretensioDs. The marquis -. told
him ne would engage to go to America
with him, il he would carry him in Is
days Perkins told him he though. hs
could 90 it In something less. People
amuss themselves in speculations of what
changes are to be produced by this inyeu.
'ion--sails and rigging OF course will be-
laid aside, and people expect soon to see
steam engine travelling along the roads
instead OF horsss-and as the explosive
power OF steam can be made greater than
that OF gunpowder; the same power
which moves the cannons may discharge
the balls, and all the batteries NAV be
converted into flying artillery. Mons.
Gautier "a nephew of the balloon mani
carries his views still higlisr,sDd suggests
that a small engine might be found very
useful in giving direction to balloons, by
operating on something in the shape Of
wings" tB.st. Da;,y 4d.
laAnnF