The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-12-21
Straw ESsrxE. The Providence A.

SIEAh bNolSts luc IiONioohS~ -
merican of Tuesday las, says.--Ata meet.
ing Of the stockholders Of the Providence
Steam Engine Company, at the Manufac-
turers' Hotel, on Thursday last, commit
tee was appointed, at the request of DR..
Waisworth, of Portsmouth, X. l. TO exam
inc the Steam engine, recently completed
in this place, upon his new and improved
model. A committee, consisting of Pro-
fessor D'Wolf, DR.. Mauran, Robert III. Ives,
Geo. Curtis, and Samson Almy, was ac-
cordingly appointed, who at q subsequent
meeting made the following report, which
will fully develope the merits of this inl-
provement.
Having examined the operations Of DR..
John A. Wadsworth's recently invented
steam engine, ,on the l4th and 5th instants,
your committee, specially appointed for that
purpose, bog leave respectfully to report
That they conceive its operations fully
sustain the proposed intentions Of the pro-
lecter, both as respects economy and pow
er.
The character, and construction of said
Engine is, as follows, viz.-Sixteen double
pipes, ofan inch and half internal dame
ter, and four feet in length, connected with
one common reservoir, and rendered entire
ly independent of each other, by palres at
one end, being enclosed in a furnace of ma
son work, four and half feet long, by three
and half wide, and three in height, ex-
pose to the fire an area of about forty
eight square feet of water surface, form
ing thereby the Steam Generator, from
the reservoir OF which, a tubular connec-
ton is formed with the Cylinder, applying
thereto the power, in the usual manner
The operations, and apparent power, by
inspection, of said Engine, were as follow
The Engine operated with q pressure of
fourteen pounds upon the square inch
which according to the area Of the piston,
length, and succession Of its vibrations, (as
per calculation, founded upon established
scientific principles renders it of eleven
"Horse Power" During your Commit
tees investigation of three hours and
ho!c one foot only, of common pine wood
was consumed which was found amply
sufficient for heating the engine, and gen.
Grating the steam, which occupied bnt
thirty .fpe minutes and continuing the
same in complete and full operation, for
the above time.
Regarding, therefore, the above state
ment of the saving of fuel, balance Is
exhibited of Sirty-s,r per cent in favor of
this engine, when compared with others
Of a like power, in general use. The
quantity of water consumed per minute,
the tubes being previously completely fHed,
was nearly one gallon, a proportionate
quantity of which was injected at each
revolution.
Your COMMITTEES would add, that this
construction of Generator, above describ-
ed, was established, in this instance, with
the view of using the anthracite coal for
fuel, and is probably the only plan that
can be adopted, for bringing an expanded
water surface in almost Immediate con-
tact with its limited flame. One Of your
committee in company with one OF the
present board, witnessed, on foris'r ex-
hibitlon of the engine, the use of the
above description of fuel, from Rhode
Island, aud was amply satisfied with the
perfect feasibility Of its application; the
combustion was uniform, and free, and
the fame of sufficient expansion to em-
brace the whole-area of the tubes.
As respects the ualidity Of the privilege,
patented by the protector, Or. Waosworth,
your committee feel perfectly satisfied !;
the completely insulated situation Of the
tubes, by It's patruiar construction. being,
as is humbly conceived, an important im-
provemeut upon the long established. prin-
ciple of Oliver Evans for generating steam
in metallic cylindrical tubes of sma'!
diameter.
Your Committee would further add,
that, in consideration Of the .conony Of
construction, fuel, and space occupied, this
claims a decided preference over every
other plan of generating steam, for steam
power, now extaut--nor would they fail
70 remind you of the merits Of this inven-
ton in point Of convenience and safety -
rendered thus, through the agency Of the
palues above alluded to, one of which, in
case OF a failure of either tube, immediate
ly closing, prevents completely the escape
of steam beyond the immediate capacity OF
the imperfect tube the engine continuing
in operation, with no Inconvenience, saw
ing diminution of one sixteenth OF its
original power* From the above con-
siderations, its adoption is chcerfully re-
commended. ]. MAURAN,
For the Committee.
Providence, Dec. IL, 1896.
-This fact WAS evidenced to the Commit.