Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1843-11-18
The Ertcssea, Propelasr.

The Ericsson PrOpellsr.
The successful expeEinents recently made,
ions of the scientific, Is to the utility of the
transversal propeller, invented by Ericsson.--
There has been but little difference of opinion,
we believe, for several years past about the sue.
cess of the Propeller and that it would ultimate>
ly snpercede the cumbersome paddle wheels now
in use. The small iron boat, which Captain
Stockton brought from England several years
ago, for the purpose of exhibiting the utility of
the transversal propeller, and which excited 50
much attention and wonder at the Time, was an
example of what might be expected from the in
vention, and convinced nearly all who saw it, of
the feasibility of applying it to larger vessels
That small vessel has been used as tow-boat, on
the Schuylkill, during the last two or three
years, where it has attracted good deal of at
tention, and proved the utility of its machinery
The invention was infinitely described by DIR.
Lardner, in his lectures on the Steam Engine, in
this city, and the advantages which it possesses
over the old paddle wheels, and especially in lis
application to national vessels, were so distinctly
marked out, that all who heared these lectures
must have been convinced Of its merits.
When the precise operation Of the propeller
had been exemplifed, in the model boat already
referred TO, Captain Stockton applied to the gov
eminent for means to test its value, in connection
with national vessel. The Secretary of the
Navy recommended it to Congress; and it was
soon rumorsd that the Captain had permission to
test the invention, upon either the Mississippi
or Missouri, two steamers then on the stocks;
and we believe that the experiment would have
been made upon one of these vessels, had they
not been already two far advanced TO admit Of the
necessary alteration, Unless at considerable ex-
pense. Ii, however, As much had been known
then as is now of the success of the propeller,
no doubt both of these vessels would have under.
gone necessary alteration. The appropriation
for the Princeton was subsequently obtained,
and in that secrack ships we have witnessed the
triumphant victory ofthe submerged transversal
propeller, over the more antiquated and incon-
venient paddle wheels.
| Hereafter the Ericsson Propeller will be all
the rage. After the result Of the experiment
with the Princeton, we cannot suppose that b
national steamer will be built upon any other
principles; indeed it would be keeping behind
the age, and in the rear Of science, to allow an
other vessel to be constructed with paddle
!, wheels In fair weather or in stormy, but more
particularly in the latter, vessel with a sub.
me- gea propeller will be able to .swalk away
from, one with paddle wheels, although the en-.
CINE OF the latter may be onc-third more power
full than tat of the former 1t is well known
fact that the speed Of our ordinary steam vessels
is reduced on. half in gale at sea, in conse-
uuence of the vi. favorable action of the paddles
and not unfrequel tly it becomes necessary to
clay to" altogether. But not 50 with vessel
constructed upon the pin Of the Princeton. No
matter how much the vessel leans to one side
or the other, the propeIer is still! in etectual mo.
ton; and if the pitching OF the vessel should
chance to keep ons-half of the propeller out OF
water still the speed would Sd fer but slight d.
mnishment on that account, bec.'use OF its trans
versal construction.
But in addition to the utility Of tn Ericsson
Propeller, in the several points of view to which
we have Just alluded, there are its pecu. ar adj
vantages to a national vessel in time Of action
In the first place, the machinery itself, in the
body of the ship, is rendered more secure FROM
the shot of the enemy, both by its position, and
the manner in which It is defended. And then
with respect to the wheel, while those of the or
binary steamer are continually exposed, and
every moment liable to be disabled, that which
is submerged is protected, and out of the reach
of the enemy's fire.
The recent experiments with the Princeton,
have not only proved that the speed produced
by the single propeller, is more than equal to
that of two paddle wheels, but also, that the
. vessel may be brought to any desired position,
much more speedily, and with infinitely less la
Dor; which may frequently be matter Of much
importance in action. &
As we have already remarked, the result Of
the experiments with the steamer Princeton, will
no doubt lead to general Introduction Of the
Ericsson Propeller, both in the construction of
national and other steamers. II would now be
&is.-2nt.hin Cor our Navy Department to sane
mon tae construction of anxtional steamer upon
any o.ner principle; and we are persuaded, that
rs matter Of interest, Il nothing else, adopt the
single submerged propeller, in the place of a
pair of old fashioned paddlewheels, and thereby
make their boats much more comfortable, com
modious, and "ship-shape.o