The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-06
ATMOSPHERIC TELEGRAPH.
FROM THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER

AIMoSfHEhlC TELElsRAPHs
FROM THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER. -,
We had an opportunity yesterday of ex.
amining Mr.. l. 8. RICHARDSON'S ingenious
invention called the Atmospheric Telegraph
by which letters and parcels can be transport
ed considerable distances with almost incredi-
BILE velocity, rendering it practically nearly
equal in speed to the Magnetic Telegraph,
over which it is obvious it has many advan-
tages in other respects.
The apparatus consists of tube connect
ing the places between which communication
is to be maintained, in which a sort of piston
called "the plunger" is fitted with loose
leather packing. The matter to be sent is
enclosed in bag attached behind this plung-
er. Its propulsion is secured by the pressure
OF the atmosphere of ordinary density behind
it, that in front being rarifed by means of an
air pump, producing partial vacuum. This
Propelling power is so great as to produce an
apparently instantaneous motion of the
plunger with its load from one end to the
other of the model tube on exhibition, which
is about thirty feet long and one g. half in
ches in diameter; indeed, the plunger issues
as to knock down violently heavy billet of
wood placed opposite the end of the tube,
if it is left open. The speed is estimated at
about one thousand miles in an hour. The
apparatus is SO arranged that there can be in
termediate stations upon the line, at which
the progress Of the plunger can be arrested,
or, if preferred, it can pass directly through
to the terminus.
The mechanical difficulties to the plan
which readily suggest themselves have been
ingeniousiy and apparently efectually obviat-
ed by Mr.. Richardson. The inconvenience
Of the sudden shock occasioned by the ar
rival of the plunger at the end of its journey
is avoided by an arrangement by which
portion of the air in front of it is compressed
and allowed to escape, but gradually, forming
sort of cushion to ease the jolt. The re-
tarding effect of the friction caused by the
motion of the large column of air which me-
cessarily follows the plunger in the tube is
prevented by the occasional Recurrence of
valves in the tube connecting with the atmos-
phere to be openedby the plunser as it passes.
The friction of the plunger itself is reduced
to very low point by the manner in which
its packing is constructed.
We are informed that tho apparatus has
met with the approval of several gentlemen
competent 10 form sound opinion who have
examined it, ..-.
~ The patent right for the machine is owned
by the Atmospheric Telegraph Company, Of
which Mr. Richardson is agent. 1t is pro-
posed to open on Tuesday next, in this city,
the subscription books Of company under
the name of the "New York and Boston At
mospheric Despatch Company" to construct
line between this city and New York. The
tube of this line, it is p.oposed, shall be two
feet in diameter. The cost of aging it down
is estimated at 81 900 per mile. There will
be supply valves as often as once in twenty
five miles, and intermediate stations at suit.
able points; for instance, at Worcester,
Springfield, &c. There will be air-pumps at
all the stations. Hourly mails may DO made
up and dispatched, part of them at fixed
hours, stopping at the stations, and the others
proceeding Throughout direct. 1t is expected
that letters and parcels from New York would
be delivered in Boston in less than half an
hour. A company able to carry mail matter
at this rate of speed would be powerful com.
petitors as contractors for performing the
mail service. II sufficient ammount of
matter is presented, it is claimed that the
actual cost of transportation is not more than
half that Of any other method, while it is
twenty times as fast. The line need not be
straight, but can be curved so as to follow tho
face OF tAe ground, or undere the channels
of rivers.
1t will be observed that this invention bears
some resemblance to the "Atmospherie
Railway" SO much talked of at one time, but
that 1t avoids the Objectionable features of
that scheme, as the tube is closed throughout.
We are Informed that Mr.. Richardson has
had in successful operation line of three.
inch tube mile in length.
0TEighteen vessels went ashore in tho
English channel during the prevalence of a
og on the 9th instant. Most of them ara
complete wrecks. Six lives were lost. None
'f the wrecked vessels were American.
6TThe Australian gold fever is rapidly
preading over all Europe. Thousands are
from all quarters. ..i.t-.