Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-02-08
The New Motive Power.

The Caloric Engine is no hasty pro.
duct. Twenty-Five years ago, Ericsson
conceived the idea. For 25 years he has
been engaged in celebrating and perfect.
ing it. In 1888, he propoundcd it to
the scientific world at London. Men Of
the highest authority, such men as Fara.
day and Brunei, pronounced it good,
and predicted its triumph. But there
were practical difficulties. The princi.
pie was clear; not so its application.
Those difficulties have had to be over
come gradually, one by one. Since the
first model engine of fve.horse power
was constructed, tho inventor has built
some twelve or thirteen others, in each
making some improvement, removing
some obstacle. Two years since his in
vention was complete. No hindrancc
remained 10 be vanquishcd. He was
ready to submit the New Motive Power
TO the test Of trial on the largest scale.
Fortunate beyond other great inventors,
at every step he had found means to go
forward. And now came the final de
monstration. For that, means were al.
so found. Enlightened capitalists came
forward, and examined, and were con-
vinced. The funds were furnished. 1t
was determined to bring out the machine
on scale unprecedented in the history
of inventions. The Ericsson, splend'
id ship Of 2,2oo tons, was constructed
the machinery built and put on board
The public trial has taken place at the
earliest possible moment, if anything
too soon for perfect justice to the inven'
tion. Though the engine was unfinish
cd, and unable to perform all the work
for which it is designed. yet, as many
unfavorable rumors had been put in cir
| culation, such as that it could not mov'
the ship from the dock, that the wheel
had to be turned by hand, thatit was bu
vast humbug, with others Of the aam'
sort-in order TO silence these assertions
| and relieve the owners from the sneer
and inputations 10 which they wero sub
jccted as having thrown away their mo
ney on dclusion, it was determined Il
anticipate the time Of bringing out th'
ship, and to submit the Caloric Engin
to public inspection, even in its prescn
Imperfect state, and with the certainty
that it could not exhibit its whole pow
or. ..... ...f...5t .r
This first was done in the trial trip 0
last week. when only the inventor, own
ers, and crew Of the ship were present
Her performance on that occasion W
have recorded. Yesterday second tri
al was made. This was for the specia
satisfaction ofthe members ofthe Pross
Representatives were present from all
or nearly all the journals Of the city, in
Guiding severa! Of the editors.in. chief 9
the respective papers. The party wa
taken from Whitehall at about halfpas
| 0, in small steamer. 1t was nearly Il
when the Ericsson was put in motion
With the tide and a light breeze agains
her, she ran down beyond the Narrows
distance of some ten miles; the It'd
was also against her in returning; tn
run each way was accomplished in abou
an hour and a quatter, making her aver
age speed about eight miles an hour q
:. gainst the tide. .gi 1PiE tfi' "
The time on the passage down wa
i spent. in discussing an excellent break
/ FAST and in examining the engine. Th
first thing in the engine which strike
the observer. is the magnitude Of th
). cylinders. These are fourteen feet i
] diameter, six feet moro than those Of II
l Collins steamers. Tksire ate IL iour in 4 ii
Ericsson, standing in 1 fots: and AT lin
two befots and two abait the shaft, al