The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-03-31
WHA1 IS no REcoMr or TILE STEAM Wu,s.

WHAT is TO BECOME OF THE STEAM WIS
TLE!-Ihe Ne,c ALtre PouU-The incrcdulous at
the present time could demand any stronger evil
dence that the new motive power discovered and so
recently applied by Captain Ericsson, will, at no
distant day, sapersede entirely the Of steam, than
is contained in the letter Of the late Secretary Of the
Navy, recommending an expenditure by the govern
ment OF the large sum of half nilon Of dollars to
test the capabilities of Of the inventors caloric
engines IN frigate Of two thousand tons bwthcn.-
Aside from the recent successful trip of the Ericsson
to Norfolk, Mr.. Kennedy received other evidence Of
the pertet practeabii,y Of the caioric engine, Of
sufficient force to warrant him in recommending SO
large an expenditure Of money, what appears
its face a mere experiment. We hope that the ex-
Secretary Is not the TO risk his reputation for
superior Judgment and foresight any frivolous
terprise, or even one that mi ght afford the
mote chance of becoming a failure and hence is
derived DIR opinion that Mr.. Kennedy had become
hrniy convinced, before he sent his letter 10 the
Naval Committee of the House of Representatives,
that the ca!oric engine was susceptible Ct such lm
provement would give all the power and advant-
ages 0t steam, and at The time overcome the
principal disadvantages which at present attach
Themselves tn a steam engine.
And We Yet further evidence has been offered
TO sustain the belief that Captain Eic>son's inven-
ton will, at no distant day take the place Of
IN propei,ins machinery; and although
wanting, save what time III bring forward, will,
nevertheless, be excused if record two
facts that are frequently mentioned among Scien-
tifc men.
Certain wealthy steamboat builders in the wcst
we understand who are well known for Their saga.
CITY in all matters appe,aining the nav son of
the Western rivers, have determined 10 build Il first
class bat, To be propelled by caorc engine, tor the
constitution OF which orders have already been sent
forward tom responsible individuals. When this
enterprise is consumnated, and the cxpei ment
proves, we hope it will, successful, how easily
can foresce the mex liable effect it will produce.
" hat sane man would risk his life of those
Western steamboats,, rs 1t present gated, when
an Ericsson hoaVd on the Ohio or MsSlss ppi -
These NOISY and rickety boats, which have hercto-
fore proved destructive human tic, would 81 eed-
iIy give place 10 the quiet, SAFE, and, doubt, feet
floating palaces with which those gigantic rivers of
the West would soon be covered, and we should
an entire revolution in the nav CATION vi these great
arteries of Commerce.
Bat who do find more sangunc of the ultimate
complete success Of this invention than Commo-
dore Sands, oi the United States Navy, who
board The Ericsson her tip from this city Ia Nor
folk. He scientific observer Of the machinery,
and the power hy which the vessel propelled,
and in his official capacity he there to PASS
jud 5nent upon the practCahty OF the invention.--
His opinion has been given, and almost Immediately
we the Secretary If the Navy recommending the
government to adopt the invention.
With these evidences before us, what will history
say OF The engiue! What is 10 become If the
steam whistle! Throughout New England, the
sic Of the woods, and the valleys and the villages,
Il. the whistle Of the locomotive, il PUSHES the
iron network covering that section of the country
Has Captain Ericsson invented a calo,ic whistle =
Does he blow hot or cold IN. y. Herald.