Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-06-24
From the Richmond TYhig.
LIEUT.. HUNTERS INVENTION.

From what we have heard respecting this
invention, we incline to the opinion that it is
worth all the PaiXhan Guns in the Universe.
Were the inventor an Englishman, he would
be knighted at the least.
The MadisOnian notices the experiment
which has been made, and the bright pros
pect of complete success.
THE GERM.
We notice with great qualification the arri-
val at the Navy Yard in this city, of the ex-
perimental steam vessel of Lieut.. Hunter in
thirty-two hours from Norfolk.
The Germ, as she is most appropriately
named, is propelled by Lieut.. Hunters sub
merged propellers, of which our readers have
before seen some notice taken i'm our columns.
We cannot too highly estimate the value
of such an invention as this, and of that of
Ericsson recently tested on the ship Neptune
on her passage outward to HAVANA, and home
wards. Should they prove successful, as
we have Tor some time past believed they
would, their value to the nation as means
of extineuishing eilectually the whole steam
armament OF the ordinary construction of any
nation which may attack us, will be beyond
computation.
Too much credit cannot be given to the
Secretary of the Navy. for the prompt man.
ner In which he has sought to secure to the
country the benefits of these inventions, by
sending an experienced naval constructor
(Mr. RhodesI to New York Immediately af-
ter the return there of the Neptune, that he
might possess himself of the facts relative to
the operations of Ercson's propellers during
her trip, and by the means adopted to bring
into the public service the invention of Lieut..
Hunter.
The Germ performed the trip from Cos
port Yard to Washington in 80 hours, dis
lance of about two hundred and forty miles,
or thereabouts-and making at times nine
miles per hour.
This is but germ, it is believed of what
she can do. The invention, it is believed,
will also prove invaluable to the inland COM
merce of the country, as no greater WAKE or
SWELL is produced by the action Of this pro-
peller than by the motion of an ordinary boat,
propelled by sails or otherwise, at the same
speed.
The Germ is believed to be the smallest
steam vessel ever sent to sea, being of but Q
| feet beam at the water line, and of so feet in
| length, drawing but 2 feet water and possess
sing horse power. Her propellers are feet
In diameter, superfcies of each paddle l-2 a
| square foot.
In passing through Hampton Roads against
a heavy head sea and in the face of strong
| ~ r.. dow, her engine performed the usual
number of revolutions, and worked as steadi-
y as in smooth water, giving conclusive proof
OF the safety and fit adaptation of these pro-
pellers for sea navigation.
The well established fact, that the speed of
vessel is accelerated by an increased diam
eter Of the paddle wheels, leaves no doubt
that a vessel on Lieut.. Hunters plan may be
propelled as rapidly as one ofequal size by the
propellers now in common use.
This little steamer is indeed "germ' o.
great promise. 1t was presented to the no
tice of the Hon. Secretary of the Navy soor
after he assumed the duties of his Office il
March last, and by characteristic discrimna
ton and promptness of action, he has, with
in the short period of three months, at triflins
expense to the country, constructed and pu
in operation this vessel, and thereby practi
cally tested this important invention.