The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-05
The Caloric Ship Ericsson.

|
/ The Caloric Ship Ericsson.
1t is now one-ffth of a century since Cap
tain Ericsson first brought his caloric engine
before the scientific world in London, and it
had already been favorite subject of specula-
ton and reflection with him for many years.
The invention excited very general interest,
but its main principle was condemned as un-
sound and untenable by nearly all the scientific
men of the day, with the exception of the
celebrated DR.. ANDREW URE and Professor
| FARADAY. Nothing is at the same moment
invented and perfected, and the practical sue
cess OF the new engine was retarded in conse-
quence OF the destruction of its pistons, valves,
! and other working parts, by the oxidation con-
sequent upon the high temperature which it
was necessary to keep up in its circulating me-
dunn. For twenty years Captain Ericsson
has devoted himself, with the enthusiasm of
genius and the patient application of science, to
the removal Of these difficulties and the per-
lection of his all-important invention. 1t has
been with him the amusement as we'll as the
work of lifetime; and we believe that by his
| single-hearted and single-m minded devotion to
this great object he has at length achieved
complete success.
We had the pleasure, during recent sojourn
in New York, of visiting, in company with
| the inventor of this engine, the ship in which
it has been placed. Captain ER1cssoN's in
vention, we are happy to say; has been brought
out In style and on scale worthy of its
great importance. The Ericsson is as noble
specimen of naval architecture as floats the
ocean. No expense has been spared to render
her the strongest vessel in the world, and eve
ry one who sees her will admit that she can
hardly be surpassed in symmetry and beauty.
When the PRINCETON was built under the
orders Of a distinguished officer in our ser
vice, now distinguished Senator of the
United States, committee of the Ameri-
can Institute made a report upon the ma
chlnery and equipments of that remarkable
ship of war-the most complete and perfect as
such, beyond doubt, that has ever been con-
structed. In that report the committee say
that ''nothiDg in the history of mechanics
surpasses the inventive genius of Captain
ERICSSON, unless it be the moral daring of
Captain STOCKTON, in the adoption Of so
many novelties at one time.'' Sc we may
well say Of the first CALoRIc SHIP, that we
are hardly more surprised at the marvellous
skill and science manifested in the production
Of its massive and majestic machinery, than we
are at the holiness. enterprise and liberalty of
the Individual who has ventured to embody in
structure SO costly and magnificent, even the
nlatared designs of a protector so experienced
and therefore SO dauntless and daring as Cap
tain Ericsson. That individual is Mr.. JOHN
B. KITcH1NG, young and enterprising mer-
chant of New York; and to him the public is
indebted for this practical embodiment of an
invention which promises to be by far the most
important Of the age.
Can caloric, employed through an atmo-
spheric medium, contend successfully as mo-
tive power with caloric employed through the
medium of steam? This is the problem now
in the course of solution. From what we
have ourself seen in the stationary en-
gines, erected year or two since at the
works of Messrs. HoGe and DELAMATER,
and in the operation of the ERIcssoN's engine,
we can hardly doubt the ultimate triumph of
the more safe and more economical agent.
We think that the ERICSSON will demonstrate
this achievement; not perhaps by the imme
date attainment Of great speed, but by showing
the removal of the practical difficulties which
nave hitherto attended the use of heated air as
motive agent, and by making manifest the
large commercial advantages which are to be
derived from its superior cheapness and Sc
curity.
In few days we shall know more of the ca
pabilities of the Caloric Engine. Meanwhile
it is useless to speculate on anticipated results.
Whatever they may be, all honor will be due
to the men who, at so great an expenditure Of
time and capital, have sought to confer the in
calculable benefits upon mankind that must
flow from the satisfactory issue of this novel
and grand experiment.
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