The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-28

of such perfect construction those he
tried Colonel Bakers Improvement against. This,
PROFESSIONALLY, is the main feature in the matter,
Colonel Bakers Improvement does not call for a
fresh outlay of millions; he takes our imperfect
boilers they are, and applies his furnace and eff
fects, simply by the introduction of perfect
combustion, what we attempt to effect by a
costly, bulky, and complicated structure.
am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
]. ERICSSON.
]. AMoRY, Esq
Upon the 9th ulL, Mr. Amory, agent of the trus-
tees of Bakers Furnace, called upon and showed
me drawings of the above furnace, and gave me
pamphlet TO read which contained general de-
scrption Of the furnace and also certificates from
several American engineers, testifying the great
economy in fuel obtained wherever the new furnace
had been introduced; and wished to have my
opinion as to its superiority over the furnaces in
general use.
told him that the introduction of "the semi
elptlcal chambers or retorts, instead of straight
bridges causing the fire. to be "reverberated
upward and backward, !" was new to me ; and that
nasmuch as it checked the draft and retained the
heat for longer period at that part of the boiler
where it would produce the greatest effect thought
great saving might be obtained over the furnaces
in ordinary
That, in fact, by this plan, it appeared to me that
with the chimney Immediately at the end of the
first fue, the same effect would be produced as in
the Cornish boilers where the hues were carried
hst through the inside Of the boiler to the arthes
end, thence along the sides, externally TO the 'front.'
and thence back again, along the under side of the
boiler, to the chimney; the flame or heated air
having, therefore, traverse the boiler three times
and that, if this were the case, the saving in the
first outlay upon boilers and buildings would be very
considerable, In addition 10 the annual saving in
fuel.
Mr.. Amory very DESTROYS that should try
the new furnace upon the Cornish boilers belong
ing to the East London Water-works Company.
suggested that, as the principle of slow combus-
ton had been carried so much farther than usual
In the furnaces at Old Ford i: would scarcely be
fair trial, because the combustion was already so
slow, that while the ire-doors open for firing
the flame and smoke came out into the stoke-hole ;
but that, if he was determined TO have trial made,
he must not expect the saving, if any, TO be al all
equal 10 that obtained by the introduction Of the
new furnace into works of the ordinary construc-
uon. He, however, resolved to have the trial
made; and the result has proved that a consider
able saving has been effected and that he was,
therefore, wise In trusting to this trial.
] may here observe that the statements published
in the pamphlet referred to, showing the very great
saving effected IN America should not be rejected
without examination, because they show very great
and, perhaps, TO some, almost incredible results.
ne question IL not What per ccntdge OF saving mas
been effected, but what Is the amount of the ultimate
result obtained. If this be greater than experience
has hitherto shown, there may be some reason for
doubt; If It be not, why should the statements of
saving be considered incredrble; Now it appears
that at three trials, made at three different works
viz, LIST, at Messrs. Haywood & Carne's establish
ment, in Charlestown; I'd, at the dry dock navy
yard, at Charestown; Sd, at the Portsmouth Cot
ton Mllls-the weight Of water evaporated from
2l2o was, before and after the introduction of the
Patent furnace, respectively, as follows:
Before. .4fer.
No. l.-7.367 IL $50, showing a saving in
fuel Of 81 per cent.
fuel of l6 per cent
No. 3-6 26o $500, showing saving in
fuel of 80 per cent
In the two first experiments, the Goals used were
anthracite and the mean of the trials will show
that 336 10. Of water were evdporaied from a
temperature of 2l2o by h. of anthracite coal in
my experiments, published in 1871, 10 203 10. OF
water were evaporated from temperature Of 2l2o
by ] h. of anthracite coal. According TO the first
report Of the Royal Commissioners "upon Goals
suited to the steam navy" lately published by Par
lament it appears in table No. g. page Is, that they
found that ID. Of anthracite coal evaporated .46
To- OF water from 2l2O; and they further observe,
that Cornish boiler may evaporate 20 per cent.
more than the used by them in their trials IL
this be correct the water evaporaied would be see
Table x, appendix TO their report equal TO ii. "a
h. Now, taking the average Of my experiment,
the commissioners, and the Cornish, the result will
give a mean OF 1881 ID, which happens 10 be
identical with the mean Of the two American trials.
Asregards g. the description of Goals given;
and in the account Of the trial made at the Eagle
furnace, in Albany, the work done previous TO the
introduction Of the new furnace is not given, and
therefore no comparison can be made; should
be satisfied with the accuracy Of result obtained
upon so short trial one Of thirteen hours dura-
ton. As the ultimate amount Of evaporation, given
in the three experiments quoted, il therefore not
improbable, there can he no reason for rejecting
those statements because the saving obtained - so
considerable, even as much 81 per cent upon the
average Of the three trials.
Having undertaken 10 try the effect Of the new
furnace az regarded the saving of fuel 10 be obtain
ed have been several weeks prosecuting the in
quiry, which was perhaps longer time than might
be considered necessary; but having from expert
ence ascertained that short experiments compar-
atively vaueless, would not undertake to give
opinion without ample time being allowed me; and
when il s considered that variation in the quality
Of Goals from the heap, their state Of dryness,
the level Of the water in the boiler the beginning
and termination Of an experiment, (Which, in a
high-pressure boiler, and when supplying a steam
engine, is, from the oscillation that takes place,
very difficult 10 determine with accuracy, the state
Of combustion Of the fuel at the beginning and end
may and do lead to the most erroneous concu-
sions, think it will appear evident that but little
reliance be placed upon short trials, and that
where there are many points to be carefully at
tended TO- the longer the duration Of the experiments
the greater will be the accuracy obtained. The
,horfns Of the trials, made prerios 10 the adoption
Of an invention, accounts for the constant dssp-
pointnents that manufacturers are exposed to- when
after expanding large sums Of money with the view
of obtaining an advantage, they find after longer
trial and further experience, they have obtained
the promised advantages. short trial is therefore
an Injustice 10 the manufacturer and 1t equally so
to the honest inventor, whose plans may thus be
ected on too slight grounds have made these
remarks at this length, order to satisfy the parties
for whom | have been making the experiments
herein reported; and although have been cautious
n experimenting and perhaps also slow IN beliey.
ing that any saving Of fuel could be made by INTRO
dncing their furnace into the boilers IN question
nevertheless this precsution will be OF advantage Il
them. for think they may fairly conclude hereafter
that II in some instances no benefit IL derived IRON
r. IL IN