New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-23
STEAM AND ITS USES +;
A LECTURE,
BY JAMES FROST, Civil Engineer
IPeooyted for The Tribune.

Reported for The Tribune.l
On Wednesday evening JAMES Frost, Esq. a
distinguished practical Engineer and scientific
scholar, delivered before nm audience at the
Rooms of the American Institute, Lecture upon
Steam, with especial reference to q new discov.
cry of the action Of heat upon water, whereby
vast results may be obtained by very trifing
outlay.
The many strange Misunderstanding and gross
misrepresentation disseminated on these impor'
tant matters, induced the lecturer to examine Tor
the first time and disclose how enormously Guy
Lussac DR. Dalton other Chemists and all
writer's on the Steam Engine had erred, in stating
it required $50 degrees of heat to double volume
of steam heated apart from water, by showing it
required but four degrees of heat to double
volume of steam heated apart from water, and
but sixteen degrees of heat to treble volume of
steam heated apart from water; and having at
the same time described simple instruments and
easy neans for proving those useful facts and
more especially the immediate deduction, from
steam being an invariable atomic compound OF
water and heat, an additional quantity of heat
must, Of necessity constitute it distinct chemi-
cal element, we have named STAME, and shown
it to be both mechanically, economically, and
chemically, distinct from and OF immensely great
or value than steam.
This great chemical discovery OF a new element
which can neither be over-yalued nor dsproved,
has become exceedingly distasteful to numerous
engineers because it SO immeasureabiy exceeds
their best performances to many learned men,
who, too indolent to examine, or too conceited to
believe because it exceeds their book knowledge
and cherished theories whence these gentlemen
have learned little, because but little can be
learned ofthe inscrutabe properties OF matter and
OF heat with their peculiar modesty, assume the
knowledge of every property thereof, however
incomprehensible to the best understanding, and
ridculouBly attempt to deny or to dettact from
any new facts that contradict their impotent theo-
RES all of which yet preached on the subject OF
heat are so insufficient and puerlle as to be dis
Greditable to the age.
An atrocious attempt ofsevera members OF one
of the most learned Universities OF tins country,
10 substitute by arrogance and fraud, old PERM
cous vagaries for truth, will be given hereafter,
for the purpose of showing evil spirit as tor
tured Calico for disclosing sublime truth, still
exists in an American University and, unhapphy,
this is not the only instance OF several | can adj.
duce.
Again. a more learned and liberal professor,
who has long devoted particular attention to the
subject of steam, has been attempting an apology
for the astounding errors OF Guy Lussac and DR..
Dalton, by steting their experiments having been
made ON steam of less temperature than PIG de-
grees, were established laws of nature; while all
mine having been made on steam OF greater tenn
perature than 2l2 degrees, though true, We're from
that cause incompatible with those writers ex-
perments, and, therefore, there was no difference
between
Very unhappiy for those established laws, and
Tor this most learned and labored apoloSN-hut
more happily for science and the general welfare
of mankind they have led me to investigate the
combination OF greater heat with steam below me
temperature of 2l2 degrees, because t has dis
closed the greater discovery, that a volume OF
steam below 2l2 degrees, heated apart from wa
ter, is prOportionally far more expanded by extra
heat than is steam above PIP degrees expanded
by extra heat and these newer facts will become
unquestionable to any competent judge pefuslnS
the detail of instruments and means pursued tor
elictng the truth
The speaker then detailed the mechanical means
and the instruments by which he produced the
results above stated But this part OF the lecture
would be unintelligibe without diagrams, and we
must therefore pass ii over,
The great economy that viii result from the
conversion of steam to stane, and its costliness
for motive force, cannot but be apparent to any
competent and candid Judge, but great is that
economy il possesses other great recommends
lions
First let it be considered how desirable it
woald be that Marine Steamers should be pro
PEELED with double their present speed and less
iuel 10 accomplish this, it is well known tour
times their present power would be required, 10
produce this sixteen boilers and water must be
employed instead of the present four IN each ship.
Eight engines instead of the TWO in each ship,
-four paddle wheels driven at double the speed OF
the present slow wheels, while double the tun-
mage OF coal will be also Indispensable.
As Marine Steamers are already burdened with
fuel and machinery to their utmost capacity, the
foregoing enumeration shows their utter lncapaci-
ty for this or any great Improvement however de-
slrsble for the advance OF civilization and only to
DC elected by the use OIL Stame instead OF steam.
by comparing the pecniiar properties OF these
distinct elements, it will be perceived that with
the addition Of heater to the present four boilers
muse, they would furnish from the present fuel,
lar greater amount of elastic duid stamei OF equal
teaS'eh with the steam the sixteen boilers would
supply With tour .lmes their present tuel, and as
ne w Sse Would occupy only bait the time haltthe
sc eSt , heaVy tonuase Of Goals would better SUIT
"g Ta require and consume
NOW, a'. sSsIi the substitution Of simpler lighter
- SN'eH'Uc and powerful direct Acting En-
So o5 'uc present enormous and needless, conf
Sj Siu i'.oefSome old fashioned Engines the
far 'N!e 31one weighing much more than bet
1.. Iue Heed tol light propellers and Skating
yYbsSS~ :. Ahc awkward andiaconvenient paddle
hn,sss Iotnnons shaltnlg and needless wheel
Vos' ; az Of Which Old Cushioned contr5vRnres
"oala berendered useless ar dS ~ 10 49,
usoaoS'de from ma1.ot.war stea;;oer-nro,,erl,,
s9;So oy power winch, with all lighter and
rs. SNt machinery, boilers and heater yo,lld If
b. nJoo 1AI invention were preferred to c0pyiug
fpH MI 9eiow the water line and indestrictibIe.
follow ption OF these important matters Will