The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-29

Report of trials of speed NTH the revenu,
steamers Spencer, Jefferson, and Legare
Nth Hunters submerged tcheeLs and Err
lessons and Loper's propellers; made b,
direction Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, and under the superintendence o.
Captain alexander v Fraser, United
States revenue marine-1844 and 1916.
[coNrMUED
REVENUE BUREAU, TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
October 16, l845.
Sin: have the honor to submit the accompany.
ing report of the trials of speed made with the
United States revenue steamers "Legare" and "Jef
ferson," agreeable TO your order Of the 5th utimo
Unavoidable circumstances of weather and delay in
the completion Of the work, prevented any trial Of
the "Legare," until the 18th ultimo, on which day
proceeded with that vessel to Chester, the river
Delaware, and made several trips between that point
and Marcus Hook, being the same distance over
which the previous trial Of the spencer" with
Loper's propeers was made. During this trial
there was no wind, and the water consequently per
fectly smooth. The result of this trial, as well as
from Newcastle to New York, with the trial Of the
ed in tabular form, and all the data requisite fol
the information of persons interested are carefully
given.
Having attended to such other matters as directed
in your orders, proceeded to Oswego, where, in
order that the relative merits of the two plans might
he mpartially exhibited, became necessary to de.
Law the trial of the Jefferson" until the weather
should correspond with that experienced with the
"Legaren In the mean time, ascertancd dis.
lance upon the lake shore uninfuenced by current
and corresponding nearly with that between Marcus
Hook and Chester.
On the 9th ultimo, the weather quite calm, and
the surface Of the lake perfectly smooth, ran ter
AZ. I;atn We nf h
measurement being established by the town clerk
of Oswego, shown by his certificate to be two
hundred and sixty chains, or 325 miles, according
to the official survey.
As it was desirable that the qualities Of the
jefferson should be likewise tested over a Ions
distance, and in bosierous weather. the points
selected for this purpose were Oswego light house
and Kingston, U. c. Both these places lying upor
the same meridian, or nearly so, the distance wal
accurately established by the ATTITUDES to be sixty
miles.
On the Goth utimo, the wind having blown sew
era hours strong from the south, weighed, and pro
ceeded under steam and canvas, the wind aft, L
Kingston; where having anchored, and the wind in
creasing to a heavy gale, with rain and thick wea
Their, were detained two days.
On the I'd instant, the gale having somewha
abaed, although still blowing strong from the south
with head sea, weighed and ran across the lake
where surrendered the vessel to her proper com
mander
I would take this occasion to remark, that tn,
Jefferson is as far ] am capable of Judging tn,
most perfect in her construction Of any | hav,
seen, and in seaway performs admirably AL
though the annexed tables will show clearly the re-
suit Of these trials exhibiting the pressure of steam
revolutions, times, distances, tides, Winds con
sumption of fuel, &C., would remark, that the re
suit may be considered fair exhibition Of the two
plans; while, at the same time, increased speed
would doubtless be attained by increased pressure
and the additional revolutions consequent thereon
You will perceive that the pressure Of steam wal
confined within such limits as might be carried with
safety under all circumstances at sea; il is toe
frequently the case, that, in making experimental
trials, the pressure s carried to Gas in that
the Spencer, with Hunters wheels, 80 pounds 10
the square inch) for an hour two to the injury
Of the boiler and engines and showing, for shor
time, result which future experience would con
denim.
l would likewise respectfully remark, that both
the Legare and Jefferson were modelled by Captain
Ericsson; the engines constructed upon his own
plan, and under his direction; Of the same power
the same Jraugh Of water; and the displacement and
cross section the same. Both propeers are Of the
same diameter-one being Ericsson's and the other
Lopers. difierenc Tin The number OF revolutions
under the same pressure will he perceived This
may be in consequence Of different angle in the
blades but am under the impression that il is at
trbutable 10 that portion Of Captain Ericssons pro-
peler embraced between the shaft and outer rim
requiring considernbleel TO turn it, without hav-
ing any propeIling power
Il may not be irrelevant to remark, that am con-
frmed in my former opinion, that the long shafts
required in these vessels cannot be confined in the