The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-20
Stcaa Hngines-Tha s@e"S--
THE HERALD.

Al. 1.-The HHRALD and =
have road all the papers"-l '0'r.y
quest that through this properA
lowed TO furnish the public with '"o 'o"o".s 'se'
That it may know how much reli n0o' "" VIC -"
Of experience. should be attached to 'niS oommsne
ton, deem it proper to state that Il many juan
was engaged artisan in wood anu mesa"-
having attained some skill in meohA me arts an
sciences-thc last twelve years my attenI ION has
assiduously devoted to modifying and improvin
parts of the steam engine. embracing thu soience
tho action Of steam and the art Of eene~, ting "a
applying il with increased advantage. I Hvilizi
ton and refinement keep pace with soieA 'ce an
the arts, and it becomes imperous to prog, ess'a
that practical talent Of tho highest order be snA no
In this age. machinery is everything. Then I, ~
ing press with lightning speed, throws of its, =
come sheet, and the multitude Of eager expectaA
find within their grasp the world rs it is. n
steam engine. second in Importance only to =
press, brings far distant places near, and is spread
steam engine. and magnetic telegraph. are the ~
suits OF great genius associated with scientific.
practical and well educated minds /; nevertheless.
true genius is poorly rewarded Reformation in this
respect is of the highest Importance but the day
of its coming is far distant, unless the press takes
decided position in the matter. In reference 70
the steam engine, it is fact that many nteropers
and pseudos are entrusted with its manage
thus it is that you are so frequently called to
record grand smash awful explosion, and lament
able destruction of life and property.
1t should DO imperous, that engineer
be employed unless a mechanic skilful in the
manufacture of steam engines, possessed Of o
| good English education, well versed in mechani-
! cal philosophy, and the cohesive and frctiona1
| properties Of materials composing the engine
| under his charge. He should DO we'll versod
| in the laws of c0mbustion understand the sapaotv
| of different metals for conducting caorc; BIO prof.
| Gent in mathematics able to determine with cor
tainty the strain, and to judge accurately Of the
persuasive action of every part Of tho instrument
Such qualifications, associated with industry, So
briefly and faithful attention, would constitute, in
the true sense, an engineer. As general rule.
owners Of steamers pay less attention than is due -
those matters ! have hesitation in asserting
| that such regulations can be instituted, and on
gineers of such qualifications could be obtained, a.
| would insure against seventy five eighty per
cent of the present loss Of life and property arising
from incapacty Of tho engineer department. Espe-
| cally will this hold good the Western waters.
Doubtless engineers engage their services with the
most laudable motives; their want of proficiency is
| evidence of this for did they know their lives
would be perilled by their own misrepresentation Of
the of disasters, they could not be induced to
| risk much. 1t is lanentabe fact that many Of
this class Of persons arc totally deceived to their
comprehension Of what is requisite in their case but
| they have open to them many avenues for improve
| ment, and would they but learn to ask questions
and abide directions gratuitously given the diff
cuies in their case might soon be modified, il net
| entirely overcome.
The engineer Of line of steamers Of this place,
not long snce wrote to an officer of high grade in
the United States Navy, suggesting the introduction
to government steamer OF an alleged improvement
III her machinery department. The letter in quos-
ton grossly iliteratc in its composition that
it was hardly nteIigiblo This man merits both
pity and contempt; and should be suspended for OF
poltNnity OF improvement.
OF these matters the public have right, evoY
individual has right, to know, Talk, and INQUIRE
Life and property, public and private at stake.
| Underwriters should look to this business Insur-
ance Offices have here an INTEREST," and the board ef
underwriters, with the same, if not greater proprety
than that of surveying ship and inspecting its
gnes, boilers, &c. should require an investigation
as to the qualifications Of the engineer. In this way
the abilities requisite would soon be manifested, and
the engineer find it mperiousy necessary to be-
come informed, and thereby exalted in condition.
higher interest than the abstract commercial
one should be enlisted in this matter; it is the in
terest OF affection, tho ties OF consequently and
humanity, which should take precedence in tho
selection Of a person with whom to trust %
much.
The law Of public convenience has something to
do with this. Public convenience and equal distri-
button OF justice widens street, makes the crook
| ed straight, and rough places smooth; jams rail-
road through the choicest grounds under the key
ofprogression, and the word go-ahead. Are not the
| same considerations involved in the requirements
and even more-as regards security of life and pro-
| perry DO not public accommodation and security
demand the examination OF engineers in the mer-
cnant service III not, the examination tho
| service is farce, and of no avail.
The same principles and reasons originating and
| organizing the naval engineer corps, demand Q
United States merchant marine engineer corps, with
similar regulations and demands for talent
Has not Congress the power to impose regula-
lions in this ms it did in regard tiller ropes Many
scientific engineers have contemplated memorable
ing Congress in relation to organization and legal
regulation OF merchant engineers. Surely tho quail
fled will not object to n better state Of things.
The compensation Of some grades would be ncreas-
ed. not, however. beyond the limit Of merit.
The crippled condition Of the Humboldt, on her
homeward passage, may not have been caused By
the mismanagement or incapacity of her engineer
II was reported that she ran, sideon, against the
dock on the other side; and that by jar-so slight
not to injure the side Of the ship-the massive
| pedestas of both engines smashed This will
not do-such a result could not have occurred
Subject the engineer to the proposed examina-
ton, and have no doubt the cause would be dis
covered We say--all good engineers will say-let US
have n legally organized I" United States Merchant
Steam Marine Corps" Thereby engineers will be
stimulated to acquire u high grade and rank for
ability; such stimulant would rebound to the in
terests Of the community Mt large.
" requires man Of no ordinary judgment, skill.
ard application, to avert difficulties and dangers in
cdcnt to the sudden and ever varying circumstances
attending steaming ut sea. The smash OF turbulent
seas, almost sufficient to arrest the gigantic struc-
ture Of two large sde-leyer engines, are no small
matters for the unqualified engineer to look upon,
and at all times to be well prepared to meet.
The true cause of break down is seldom known,
ard never, when it is attributable to the ncapacty
OF the engineer, if he finds this out and hide it.
Give US the requirements of the navy-the ineen-
tive to high attachments. Examine the engineers,
and talent will be properly placed, imposition essen
italy checked, life and property more secure and
merit commensurately rewarded. SCRUTATOR.
Literary Reviews.
MAP or New YORK. BY Geo II. Ives, Spruce
street, New York; Mr. Ives has conferred great
service upon the community by the elaborate pro-