The New York herald., 1844-11-17
An Experimental Tripin Steamer, propel-
led by q s fam"


Since the great and splendid invention of the
steam-engine as applicable 10 navigation the light
ness OF It's machinery, the concentration Of It's pro-
pelling power, and the economy IN the use OF fuel
have ever been considered objects OF the very
highest Importance; and from the first introduction
Of steamers, their side paddles and boxes have been
thought cumbersome, and particularly unslghtly 10
the nautical eye accustomed 10 the beautiful and
graceful proportions of sailing vessel. From the
various applications TO which steanl-power is
ceptbe, IL is still in its infancy, though already the
deveopement OF Its cspabil ties has very tar sur
passed what was even contemplated by the immor-
tai inventor himself The immense power of stea am
is unquestionably established but it's appliances TO
different kinds OF machinery are still very limited
Ia regard to slde-paddes, many attempts have been
made to do away with them, as they are found TO
be much in the way, TO hold great deal OF wind,
and 10 impede the steamers speed. especially in
crowded rivers and narrow streams Indeed.
ste am ma vgatiOn in narrow wafeEs and Canals IL
anost impossible, In consequence OF the space the
paddles and boxes take up, which cover a width
equal TO that of the vessel herself. Besides, the
steamers paddles and boxes abuttng out either
side are ever liable oinjnry. The repairs which
they necessarily require form very expensive
item in the annual accounts OF the wear and tear OF
steamers. and show that they are constantly
liable to injury War-steamers in action would
ever be in danger Of being 'winged," and rendered
powerless. The paddles OF steamers must also
be seriously injured, ano frequently become useless
when navigating seas. lakes, rivers, and streams
occasionally covered with floating ice. II has
been considered that the Il-starred President
steamer, soon after leaving port, encountered large
masses of floating ice, which Jammed her IN and
crushed her paddles, when, alas Down she went.
1t is on record that at the time she was lost other
steamers and sailing vessels their passage
the Atlantic tell in with immensely large and noun
famous icebergs. The real truth, however, may
never be known.
The Archimedean screw, (no new invention, for
it in use by the ancients,) which is fixed 10 the
stern OF steamer, The first attempt TO supersede
hs use Of side paddles; but its proprng power is
H V1d tn hat aad hN nonn
mers, and II is, therefore, consldered In that de-
gree, nearly total failure. But still the immense
Importance OF concentrated propeing power
acting under water, beyond the reach Of shot, and
all liability to accident, has become at once appa
rent.
For these various reasons, engineers and other
scientific men have been studying how to effect an
object grand and invaluable in every point Of
view, by endeayoring to invent propeller concen.
trated in one focus which would efficiently ACT
under water out Of all danger from accidents, and
still equal Or exceed the speed at present attained
by side paddles.
This great desideratum it would appear, is on
the point of being accomplished: A beautifully
constructed boat, about 80 tons burden, has re-
"a pair Of tens-were made by Messrs Penn IL
Son, of Greenwich. They are fixed lengthways
in the vessel, and are remarkably light and hand
some. The propeller is on the tam principle,
similarly constructed to the fan of a windmill, and,
like the screw is fixed to the stern. II possesses
a twofod action-the one perpendicular, which
regulates her speed, and the other horizontal,
which describes half circle, and regulates hei
steerage. This latter action OF the fan' 10 oil
such admirable power, that while It supersedes the
use OF rudder, il can wheel the boat round il
she moved upon pivot, and continue to spin hei
round and round like top, without making head
or stern way, except what little the tide or WIND
may effect. This peculiar, clever, and invaluable
action Of the "fan" is most ingenlously contrived,
and is the sole invention OF Mr. Hunt, the engineer,
of Greenwich The "fan," combined with the
fine principle of action, can be attached to any
sailing vessel, from line. oibatte ship down to
collier, and can be worked by hands totally un-
connected with steam It's power, though II could
not be 80 great as when worked by steam, is such
that il would enable ship OF the line to bring both
her broadsides to bear against an enemy in abouI
two minutes.
she was not quite finished, it was determined to
give her an experimental trial down the river
Thursday, the Sd Of October, to meet and greet the
Queen and Prince Albert On their return from
Scotland Messs. Hunt and Holl, the owners,
invited several friends 10 accompany and enjoy the
excursion with them. The day opened gloOmiy,
rough, and stormy. The tight little steamer, how
ever. dauntessly started from Greenwich Pier at
quarter past III o'clock, A. M. Her engines worked
admirably, and she made her way over the waves,
impeled by an invisible power, buoyant as
cork, scarcely disturbing the water. Just as she
reached abreast Of Grays, near Gfayesend, the
torla and Albert yacht, hove IN sight. The weather
| at this time was cloudy and tempestuous, but as
the Royal yacht rounded the point from Northf1eet,
the sun shot out from an opening the clouds upon
her full broadslde with magnificent spleDdor and
his rays concentrated In halo Of light around
her. AT that moment she was most beautiful
and splendid object
The Mystery now veered round, slackened speed
in order to await the approach OF the Royal
squadron, to whose officers and crew she became
an object OF much curiosity She then continued
pilot-6sh till Woolwich was reached, at about 2
o'clock, P. M, when she broght TO to witness the
landing Of Her Moet Gracious Majesty and Her
Illustrous Consort, when all on board Joined IN
the hearty shouts of " welcome home" The dis
tance from Greenwich Pier to Grays and back 10
Woolwich was performed in exactly two hours
and three quarters.
Afrer the landing Of the Royal pair, the Mystery
part Of the voyage afforded fine opportunity toi
testing the advantages sprlngng, not only from the
non-use of side-paddes but from the fictitious and
admirable way she answered 10 the helm, In which
point she has no equal she wound In and oui
harges, rats Of wood, colliers, and ships, with
such ease precision, and certainty, that she aston
ished every beholder. She gave the go.by to
several Woolwlch and other steamers which were
compelled TO slacken speed, ease, stop, and back,
in consequence Of the crowded state OF sthe Fool,
and the tear OF nurne smashing their paddle
boxes and paddles by COLLISION.
There could not have been inner day tor the ex-
perimental trial. The wind blew strongly from the
westward, and with or against II she proved her.
self TO be capital sea.boat: The rriai proved
most satisfactory and successfn Throughout sht
bounded over the water like magic, without saii
or any perceptible propeliing. power, and almos'
without herself creating ripple-she, however,
possesses propelling power equal, In the ralio, TO
any other steamer on the river. Her propeller,
certainly reaches perfection nearer than any other
now in use; it is impossible to injure i by shot,
collisions, grounding, or any other casually what.
ever. One or the other paddle of steamers navsa.
ting the wide ocean 10 frequently out OF the water,
but the fan propeller can never cease performing
its functions but through some casual derangemen'
In lis own machinery.
The Mystery is now fast approaching completion
IN all its various appointments, when more eth.
cent trial will be gwen
REMARxABLE PREsENTIMENT.-ln the last Doyles-
town Democrat we find a notice OF the death oI
Beniah Hodren Of Nockamixon at the advanced age Of
~ years Hc died the 4th Of October, and the cor