, 1853-11-19
NeMIY Invented Steam Shins.

In this age Of daring, unexpected and
impetuous advancement, belief in the value
of discoveries and inventions yet untrled
may safely be at large, judging by the vast
array Of analoges and experiences, Of which
we are constantly put in poss ,ssion The
so called impossible passage of the Atlantic
by steam in fifteen days, has been rcnd d,red
still more wonderful by the reduction Of the
time by degrees to twelve and finally 10
nine days and fraction. But this rcduc-
/ tion is evidently but the precursor of con-
tinued dlmlnutlon of the period required,
and therefore we are not much surprised to
learn that one of the most eminent of living
engineers, William Norris, Of Philadelphia,
has commenced constructing steam vessel,
TO be ready to sail somewhere about next
February, and which will, in the opinion Of
the inventor, be able 10 perform voyage to
Europe, habiually and securely, within six
days, besides possessing various other ad-
Vantagcs over ordinary steamers. This
vessel is now building at Green Point, New
York, and is Of the following dimensions:--
Length on deck, 1875 feet depth Of hold,
? feet diameter of paddle-wheels, SO feet /;
beam amidships, 81 feet draft of water, 7
feet displacement, $50 tons power, 1900
horse accommodations, so passengers -
The builders guarantee that she will make
the voyage between New York and Eng
land within six days in the winter season.
WIN. Norris, Civil and Mechanical Engi-
neer, and John w Grifiths, Naval Archi-
tcct, are the constructors and paienIees.-
They claim the following advantages in their
improvement
: !. A perfect security against fire or water.
2. Less risk Of life and greater comfort
to passengers.
The boilers will be placed within walls
{ Of iron, with iron beams over the same
Air-chambers, of sufficient sustaining ca
pacity, will extend the whole length of the
ship, The sudden shocks of head and beam
seas, to which all ships of the present con-
struction are liable, are Obviaied by these
improvements, while the gentle undulating
motion, always maintained, will tend to pre-
vent sea-sickneSs, and at the same time
keep the decks dry, except from spray
The full power of the engine will be re-
served for combating heavy gales, while
ships of the present construction are com
PEELED 10 slacken their steam as the gale in
Creases in severity. These new improve
ments enable moro steam 10 be applied the
harder the gale blows.
These facts do not appear more startling
f than those announcing in 1896 by the same
Wm. Norris, when his Improvements in the
locomotive engine enabled him 10 ascend an
inclined plane Of one foot rise in fourteen
feet, which, al the time, was considered
contrary 10 common sense, and against the
laws Of gravity, but which nevertheless was
accomplished to the surprise and satisiac-
; ton of the whole scientific world, The
high standing Of John W. GriGilhs, as a ma.
val constructor, who has made many valua.
bic improvements in ship-building and the
reputation of Mr.. Norris as q mechanical
and civil engineer, would argue perfect sue.
cess in their present undertaking.
The machinery of this ship will consist
Of one walking beam engine with two tUb.
ular boilers, all of the most improved con.
structIon, bat without anything new in theiI
principles. The power Of the engine, in
proportion 10 the size and dral Of water
will be very gToat, about five times as great
we believe, as that Of the steamers Of the
CUnard line. In on ordinary vessel such
power cannot be applied, As it would tear
) The hull to pieces In the present case,
however, il is made practicable by the pc.
J culiar internal structure as well as by the
: novelty of the model but as this mode ol
strengthening the ship is a new invention,
, the patent for which has not yet been is
sued, we refrain from stating any parlicu-
| lars with regard 10 il. AS far as we can
judge, however, it is well adapted to its
end.
= As will be seen BY the 6gures we have
. given above, the floor of the vessel is unu-
sually flat, and lis draft of water exceedingly
I small. At the same time the bow is unu-
suaIly sharp. In fact, the model is the re-
suit At once Of great deal of practical ex-
perience, as well As Of labOrious and careful
mathematical calculations, and il is believed
that its lines and forms are such as to pro-
dSce the least possible resistance in passing
through the water. Here, then, we have
grounds for the estimate that an average
speed of twenty miles an hour will be al
tanned in storm as well as calm:
1. Sharpness Of bow, peIGectioDof of curV es,
and light draft and bNoyancy.
.. Enormous power of engine.
The daily consumption Of coal will be
about 80 ions, and the stock for passage
about 300 no freight is to be taken. The
vessel is named the William Norris. She
will be ready for launching by the lSt De-
cember. She will carry no masts, but will
be arranged with jurymasss to rig in case
Of necessity.
~ The Tartar monarchs of China sp-
pear TO be a ng-lived race. FrOm the
year l644, the commencement of their
rule, 10 1850, only seven EmPeroIs have