Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-01-29
The Air Engine.


The unqualified success OF Ericssons caloric
ship will create, and speedily, too, the greatest
revolution in mechanics, manufactures and cofn-
merce that has taken place since steam WAS in
troduced. Its results will be wider and more
immediate than those of Watts and Fnlton's
great agent. The dread power that possesses
over lumau life rendered all experiments with
if, despite Tie lessons and rules of experience,
almost as hazardous as gunpoWder when Il pay
thing in the hands of il child. The word "ste; m"
despite the progress of science, suggests other
ideas than those of Il vast and invaluable utility
and it is invariably connected, despite lis ack-
nowledged merits. with reminiscent noes Of gnsc-
oQs freaks and caprices Of which man is the
victim, and death and bitter ~afiiction the ,e-
suits.
The caloric engine, in q few wears, viii have
driven the steam engine on; of the field, There
is with the first no danger Of boiler explosions,
or collapsed tlues. or par-hoiled human bodies,
or a grand fricassee of the limbs Of fathers and
mothers, sons and daughters, sisters and bro~
theirs, husbands and wives. There is, besides,
less expense. To many people The motive Of
safety will be a paramount recommendations: to.
others that OF comparative cheapneas wall be
one. Both motives will be o~rerpoWrinr, and
steam Will have to retire in disgust to The vol
canlc depths whence it first issued, or else be
contented to hun in gentle ob>culity from
the teapots Of old ladies' at scandal discussing
meetings. Newspapers viii no longer be able
to s~tartle their readers with lawful explosions"
"terribIe DISASTERS TREMENDOUS scaling ope~
rations," &c, &c. But as a compensation they
will be able to CRAFTY the public with list after
list of vessels, manufactures. mines, foundries,
using the caloric engine, and diminishing the
fearful list of accidents and suffering We have
now all become almost cuIlOus to-.
The people who own, or are connected with
the vast coal interests of this country, were at :
first much alarmed when it was demonstrated
that the air engine, which used so little fuel,
would certainly be successful. They feared
that their trade would be materially injured
But on a second review Of the matter, they
wisely came to the conclusion that, as the as-
surance of its entire safety, its powers of speed,
and the difference, in its favor of the cost be.
tween it and steam propelled machinery, would
induce its application to vessels of all sizes on
sea and inland waters, the demand for coal,
though much smaller for each vessel, would be
immensely increased in the mass.
OF course, now that the principle has been
practically and successfully applied, there will
be any number Of individuals discovered, from
the'days Of Adam down, who, it will be prov
ed by undoubted certificates, invented this cal
ORIG engine. But to the man who reduced the
theory to practice, not partial but completely
successful belongs the glory of this simple, yet
wonderful, "5reathing engine" and that reward
will be literally bestowed on Ericsson by his
countrymen. What profit he will reap from it
is another question.