The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-02-11

IMPORTANT INVENTION. Under this caption
an article has recently travelled the rounds of
the papers, stating that new mode of propel-
ling vessels, against the wind, or in any other
direction, by means of revolving sails, had been
invented by Hull Case of Huron County, Ohio.
Being satisfied of the fallacy of the thing, at the
time, we took no notice of the article. We
have since seen a specification and drawing of
the machinery in the Cd number of the .4mert.
can Journal Of Improvements in the .4rtS, and
Mirror Of the Patent Office 1t consists of four
sails, attached by arms to an upright shaft, with
which they revolve horizontally, by the action
of the wind upon them, The upright shaft, as
it revolves, communicates the motion by means
of geering to horizontal shaft, lying across
the vessel on the ends of which are paddle
wheels for propelling the vessel the same as in
a steam boat. The use of sails revolving hori-
zontally for the purpose ofpropeling machinery
Is no new invention nor is it claimed as such
by the patentee. He merely claims the appli-
cation Of 1t to the prOpelting Of peSsels By
means Of paddle aoheeiS that is, new comb
nation of machinery already i'll use
We are surprised that the intelligent editor
of the Mirror of the Patent Office should ev.
er have admitted the specification of this inuen-
tiOn into his work, and more particularly that
he should be at the expense Of accompanying
it with an engraving, unless it had been done
for the purpose of exposing its worthessness
But as it is not accompanied by any remarks,
we suppose the admission of it was through in.
advertence, because, little reflection on the
subject would have shewn him that the inven.
tion is of no value whatever The power COM
municated to the paddle wheels must, of con
sequence, be just as much less than that of the
wind on the sails, as is lost by the friction of
the machinery. Therefore, if the vessel sails
in any other direction but against the wind, her
speed will be as much less. than if she made
use of sails only as is lost by the friction of the
machinery, and by the rotary motion of the
paddle wheels but, if the vessel heads the
wind she will drift astern just as much faster
than she would if the sails and machinery were
both dispensed with, as is equivalent to the
same difference. The reason is obvious be.
cause, If the power could be applied to paddles
working horizontally, and the friction all taken
away, still the propelling power would be no
greater than ifapplied directly to the sails with.
out any additional machinery, no application Of
power being capable Of producing an effect
greater than tho power applied.
man named Henry Thorndike, residing
in the Western Reserve, Ohio, gives notice in
the papers that he will meet twenty of the best
sportsmen in the neghborhood, and shoot for
t'ceaty dollars. Twenty dollars are also offer
Cd as oct, as to who will throw stone fur.
therest with his naked hand, and eat the most
fresh oysters "-NeaO York Courier.
I'VE suppose the one who throws the stone
.tarfherest, and shoots closerest to the mark
will be considered the 6encrost fellow.J