The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-25
The Ericsson.

/ The Ericsson.
President FILLMORE and the President cleo
yesterday visited the caloric ship Ericsson
now moored in the Potomac, at Alexandra.
They left the navy yard at eleven, a. M, in the
steamer Vixen, accompanied by the Hon. E. Ev-
ERETT, Secretary of State, Hon. j. P. KENNE.
DT, Secretary of the Navy, Hon. All. H. SrU-
ART, Secretary ofthe Interior, and party ofabout
thirty gentlemen, including Commodores SHU-
BRICK, MORRIS, SLoAT, and SMITH; Captains
RINGeoLD, DUPONT, POWELL, SwARrwoUT,
WILKES, and SANDS; Lieutenant DAHLGREN.
OF the Board of Ordnance Lieutenant MAURY.
of the Observatory; Chief Engineer IsHER-
WOOD; Purser SINCLAIR; Hon. r. G. WIN
THRop; Hon. t. BUTLER KING; Messrs. Bur-
ROWS, PENNIMAN, and GooDENow. members
OF the House Committee on Naval Affairs;
Messrs. t. RITcHIE, F. P. BLAIR, WASHING
TON IRVING, and THAcKERAY.
The party were received on board of the
caloric ship by Captain Ericsson and its com
mander, Captain LOWER, and were at once
conducted to the engines, which had been nut
into operation for the purpose of facilitating the
examination. These were inspected closely,
and with the deepest intereet. Questions
were asked on every conceivable point con-
nected with their construction and work
ing; calling forth explanations that appear
ed to give entire satisfaction to all pres
ent. The theory and practice of the whole
have been too recently placed before the public
IN render f1Io
was seen on the first and second experimental
trips at New York was realized again yester-
day: the engine room, quite cool and untainted
In Its atmosphere; the furnaces in full pIay.
with depth of anthracite coal not exceeding
three inches in each; the valves in full PLAY.
the cylinder, albeit at work, so cool that
bare hand could be placed upon it without dis
comfort for any length of time; and the shaft
revolving at the rate of about four and
halt times In minute. The ship being
at anchor, no greater rate could safely
be attempted. During her trip, however,
from New York, the revolutions per minute
were about nine, and that number did not indi
cate the capacity of the engines Although at
work during three days without intermission.
1t was stated, as an illustration of the moderate
temperature of the engine room, that the cy-
finders were even then not unpleasant to the
touch. The coal consumed on the trip did not
exceed four and half tons per day.
Having listened to Captain ER1CssoN's lucid
exposition of the modas operandi OF his inven-
ton, several of the visitors addressed them
selves to the artifcers and workmen in attend
ance. One of the operative engineers stated
that he and nearly all employed IN the depart
ment had been previously employed in similar
capacities in the Atlantic steamers, and that
nothing could exceed the contrast. One engi-
neer, one fireman, and one sgreaser" are on
duty at time, and their respective labors-he
sald-are light, and by comparison pleasant.
lie added, in reply to questions put by one of
the naval engineers present, that the heavy
weather encountered at sea had not in the
slightest particular disarranged any portion of
the machinery, which worked as smoothly and
effectually in the gale as in the river.
Some OF the naval officers descended to the
freight deck, while lay gentlemen mounted to
the saloon deck, or instituted in groups an in
spection of the saloons, sleeping cabins. and
all the ct cetera of frst-class ship. They
reassembled subsequently in the main saloon.
whence they adjourned to the luncheon table
to compare notes and to satisfy an appetite
engendered by the mornings breeze. Their
reports differed in their subect-matter. but
harmonized in the general result. The prac-
teal eye of the seaman had detected the adj
mirable build of the vessel, and its capacitv for
the stowage of freight, while the amateur had
satisfied himself that the taste and comfort of
the passenger had been thoughtfully consulted.
VI the calorlc engine there was but one opin-
ION, and that found expression from the lips
of the professional men most competent to
Judge; they had doubted but were convinced;
they had apprehended exaggeration, but had
realized conviction that the warmest praises
bestowed by the friends of Captain ER1cssoN
upon his invention do not exceed its merits.
Inspection, luncheon, philosophy, and qos-
SIP over, the party returned to the more CON
tracted quarters of the Vixen, and were landed
at the navy yard at about half past three.