Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-09-16
The Newly-Tnvented Steamship.


The Newly Invented Steamship.
In this age of daring, unexpected and impctu-
Gus advancement, belief in the value Of discover
les and inventions yet untried may safely be
large, judging by the vast array Of analogies and
experiences, Of which we are constantly put in
possession. The so-calcd impossible passage Of
the Atlantic by steam in fifteen days, has been
rendered still more wonderful by the reduction Of
the time by degrees to twelve and finally to nine
days and fraction. But this reduction is but
the precursor Of continued dimiuution Of the pc
riod required, and therefore we are not much
surprised that one of the most eminent of living
! engineers, WILLIAM NoRRIs, of Philadelphia, has
commenced constructing in this city steam YES
sci to be ready to sail somewhere about next
! February, and which will in the opinion Of the
inventor be able to perform a voyage to Europe,
habitualIy and securely, within six days, besides
! possessing various other advantages over oTdina-
ry steamers.
/ This vessel is now building at Green Point,
! and IS ofthe following dimensions
Length fdeek, 245 feet
| Depth OF hold 2I
Diameter OF paddlcwhees, go
/ Beam amidshpS 81
Draft OF water, 65"
Displacement, $50 tums
Power, I20Ghorses
Accommodations Tor 50 passengers
The builders guarantee that she Will make the
voyage between New York and England within
six days in the winter season. William Norris.
Civil and Mechanical Engineer, and John W.
Gnffths, Naval Architect, are the constructors
and patentees. They claim the following adyan-
tages in their improvements
l. A perfect security against lire or water.
2 Less risk to life, and greater comfort to
/ passengers.
The boilers must be placed within walls of
iron, withiron beams over the same.
Air chambers, Of sufficient sustaining capacity,
viii extend the whole length Of the ship.
The sudden shocks Of head and beams seas, to
which all ships Of the present construction are
obviated by these Improvements, while the gen
tie undulating motion, always maintained, VIII
tend to prevent sea sickness, and at the same
time keep the decks dry, except from spray.
The full power Of the engine viii be reserved
for combating heavy gales, while ships Of the
present construction are compelled to slackon
their steam as the gale increases IN severity.
These new improvements enable more steam to
be applied, the harder the gale blows.
These facts do not appear more startling than
those announced in 1886 by the same William
Norris, when his improvements ia the locomotive
/ engine enabled him to ascend an inclined plane
ofone foot rise in fourteen feet, which, at the
time, was considered contrary TO common sense,
and against the laws Of gravity, but which noy-
ertheless was accomplished 10 Jho surprise and
satisfaction ofthe whole scientific world.
The high standing of John VI. GriGItIs, as a
naval constructor, who has made many valuable
Improvements in shipbuiIding; and the reputa-
ton Of Mr.. Norris as mechanical and civil cngi-
ncer would argue perfect success in their present
. undertaking.
The machinery Of this ship VIII consist Of one
walking-boam engine with two tubular boilers,
all of the most improved construction but with
out anything new in their principles. The pow
er of the engine, IN proportion TO the size and
draft of water VIII be very great, about five times
as great, we believe, as that Of the steamers OF
] the Cunard line. IN an ordinary vessel such
power cannot be applied as 1t would tear the
hull to pieces. In the present case, however, It
is made practicable by the peculiar internal
structure as well as by the novelty Of the model;
but as this mode Of strengthening he ship is a
p new invention the patent lorwhch has not yet
been issued, we refrain from stating any particu-
lars with regard to it. As far as we can judge,
however, it is well adapted to It's end.
] As viii be seen by the figures we have given
above, the floor of the vessel Is unusually fiat,
and its draft of water exceedingly small At the
same time the bow is unusually sharp. IN fact,
the model is the result at once Of great deal OF
practical experience, as well as Of laboIious and
careful mathematical calculations and it Is be-
Iieved that its lines and form such as 20 pro