Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-01
ALEXANDRIA, I'd. CO.
WEDNESDAY, MOANING. AUG UST 1. 1882.

new construction but most perfect in all its ma
chinery and arrangements, will in the course Of
the present month commence running between
Birmingham and London. The engine, which is
Of one hundred horse power. propels carriage
in the shape of an omnibus holding 40 passengers,
and drags vehicle capable Of containing wagon
loads Of luggage. The engine is separated from
the carriage, and as the boiler is constructed of
number of tubes, the bursting Of any one OF
which can do no mischief, little fear need be en-
,ertained by the passengers for the security OF
their vehicle. The wheels Of the carriage are
full eight inches wide, and perfectly fiat. They
drag themselves BY the action of the retardlng
power Of the engine which moves the machine
backwards or forwards at pleasure; and those
who have travelled in it, during its experimental
iouraeys, affirm that il never makes rut ia the
road The pace can be altered, at the pleasure'
Of the engineer, from one mile to fifty, and dis.
titled water is to be used in order to guard against
The effects If deposit Of sediment in the boiler.
After this description, the English editor very
properly adds" With SD many advantages,
which, we understand, are not matter Of expec
ta,ion, but actual accomplishment, we can hard
ly see the proprietv OF spending on Railroad
the enormous sums which will be required BY the
Company whose Bill is nov before the House of
Commons"
From the "Report of Select Committee OF
the House Of Commons bearing date in October,
1881, on the subject Of Steam Carriages on Com
mon Roads, published by order Of Congress
at their last session, and to which we have AREA.
DIV referred, much valuable Information is to
be obtained. We were struck with the answer
Of one Of the witnesses TO question propounded
to him Of the Committee. " Rail roads," said
he, Excepting in very peculiar situations. are
behind the age" What commentary upon the
spirit Of Improvement! What an evidence of
the march Of human ingenuity!
Our readers will recollect that. not long since,
We published an interesting article. from Lon
don paper, giving an account of MIR. Gurney's
experiments with steam carriage. In addition
70 the facts then stated, We will further mention
that the Committee Of the House Uf Commons
examined Messrs. Summers and Osle, Mr., Han
cock and Me-. Stone, whose steam Carriages had
been in daily use for some months on common
roads. So well, in fact, have their experiments
succeeded, that, in each where the proprie-
tors have ceased 70 use them, il has only been
for the purpose Of constructing more perfect car.
riages. in order to engage more extensively in
the business From 90 TO 40 carriages were
building BY different persons. Mr.. Quincy
states that he has kept up steadily at the rate of
l2 miles per hour. Mr.. Hancock with his car.
riage could keep up speed Of 10 miles per hour,
without injury to the machine. MIR. Osle's en-
CINE is capable Of carrying three tons weight in
addition to its own; and Mr.. Summers adds.
tha, they have travelled in the carriage at the
rate Of fifteen miles per hour, with nineteen per-
sons on the carriage. sp hill one foot in twelve
that he has continued, for four miles and a
half to travel at the rate Of thirty miles per hour
that he found no difficulty in travelling over
the worst and most billy roads. Mr.. Jas. Stone
states that thirty.six persons have been carried
IN one steam carriage. The witnesses estimated
the probable saving expense to the public. from
the substitution Of steam power for that Of horses,
at from one to two-thirds. Mr.. Farey gives as his
opinion that steam coaches will, very after
their establishment, be run for onethird Of the
cost of the present stage coaches.
Ave are ANXIOUS that these facts should be ex-
teusively known, because we are certain that a
new era in the career of Internal Improvement
is about to commence. To us they are particu.
cularly interesting With the numerous good
turnpike roads leading TO our town from the ach
aud fertile counties OF Virginia, what may we
not expect if Steam Carriages get ipto complete
Operaiioni We intend from time to time. a> we
obtain information and have opportunity. to Con
tnue this interesting subject, and shall be hap.
py If should be the means Of directing public
attention to SO important a matter.
The Charleston Mercury. the chief Of Null'6-
crs, publishes the address to South Carolina, of
Senators Hayne, Miller, McDuffe. & Co and