Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-03-05
THE ERICSSON.

i"'' vessel has, for several days past,
oeen the subject, Of very general interest,
especially among the Heads Of Department
and other distinguished persons in Washing.
ton' near which place she is now lying
Inc doubts which were felt with regard 10
Inc efficiency Of the engines and the new
motive power employed 10 work them,
nave been, apparently in great measure,
90 ier al least as the unlearned public is
concerned, dispelled by the result of her
recent sea.irip, and there il now supposed
10 be reason 10 authorize the belief tha, the
use OF heated air in The propulsion of boats
may become entirely successful.
ihs Washington Republic thus speaks of
'ae visit OF President Fillmore and those
who accompanied him 10 the ship:
"The party were received on board of The
caloric ship by Captain Ericsson and its
commander, Capt. Lower, and were al once
conducted 10 the engines, which had been
put in operation for the purpose of facili,a
ting the examination These were inspect.
ed closely, and with the deepes, interest,"
Questions were asked on every conceivable
point connected with their construction and
working ; calling forth explanations that
appeared TO give entire satisfaction 10 all
present. All that was seen OH the first and
second experimental trips a, New York was
realized again yesterday /; the engine room
quite cool and unlainicd in its atmosphere !;
the furnaces in full play, with depth Of
anthracite coal not exceeding three inches
in each the valves in full play, the cylin-
der, albeit a, work, 40 cool that bare hand
could be placed upon it without discomfort
for any length Of time; and the shaft revolv-
ing at the rate OF about four and half
times in a nil uics. The ship being al an.
chpr no greater rate could safely be attempt
ed. During her trip, however, from New
York, the revolutions per minute were about
nine, aud that number did not indicate the
capacity Of the engines. Although at work
during three days without intermission, it
was stated, as an illustration Of the moder-
ate temperature Of the engine room, that
the cylinders were even then no, unpleasant
TO the touch. The coal consumed on the
Trip did not exceed four and half lons per
day.
"Having listened to Capt. Ercsson's lucid
exposition Of the niodus opcrdndi oi his in
venton, several of The visitors addressed
themselves 10 the artiiicers and workmen in
attendance. One Of the operative engineers
bnt b., all T,lO pt n
the department had been previously employ
ed in similar capacities in the Atlantic
steamers, and that nothing could exceed
the contrast. One engineer, one fireman;
and one "greaser" are on duty al time,
ard their respective labors, he said, are
light, and, by comparison, pleasant. He ad-
ded, in reply 20 questions put by one OF The
naval engineer present, that the heavy wea-
,her encountered AT sea had not in the
slightest particular disarranged any portion
Of lhe machinery, which worked as smooth
ly and elfeciually in the gale as in tho
river.
"Ths practical eye Of the seaman had
detected The admirable build of the vessel,
and its capacity for the slowage Of freight.
or the calorc engine there was but one
opinion, and iha, found expression from the
lips OF the professional men most competent
TO judge they had doubted but were con-
vnced they had apprehended exageraiion
but had realized conviction that the warm
est praises bestowed by The friends Of Cap
tain Ericsson upon his invenlon do not en-
ceed its merits"