The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-02-03

ton presents one Of the most elegant mechanica
combinations ever produced. Each pair of work
ing cylinders, with their appropriate supply cyl
inders, are placed parallel to the ships centre
! line; one pair forward of, and the other AFT
the paddle shaft. The supply cylinders being
| inverted and placed at some distance above the
working cylinders, with their open ends presen-
ted to the open ends Of the working cylinders,
q space is formed between the two, which con-
tains triangular lever for transmitting the YER
ticle energy of the working pistons to the crank
of the paddle shaft by a diagonal movement
The mean angle of their diagonal being about
forty-fve degrees abaft the verticle plane of the
paddle shaft in the aft engine, and forty-fve
degrees forward Of that place in the forward en-
gine, it is obvious that the forces of the two en-
gines will be exerted nearly at right angles to
each other Hence the double cranks, and the
Objectionable centre shaft of the marine steam
engine, are obviated, single crank placed in
the middle of the caloric ship serving to trans
NIT, in perfect manner, the continuous rotary
motion required in turning paddle wheels for
ocean purposes.
In further comparing the machinery Of the
it will be found that the four side levers have
disappeared the cross heads and cross tails
likewise nor are the four sidei rods to be
found and, above all, the absence of tie par
allel motion, with their nicely-adjusted joints,
and levers fer converting the curved movements
into straight ones, claim attention. In place o1
all these parts viii be found simply triangular
lever for each engine with link and connecting
rod fer transmitting the power of the pistons to
the crank of the paddle shaft. Again, the four
huge boilers of the ocean steamer give place to
four small furnaces, erected under the working
cylinders. Force pumps, brine bump, safety
valves, sc, and the net working Of connecting
pipes. which fill the bottom of the ocean steam
er have disappeared ; and in place of gauge
cocks, brine gauges, injunction-vaivcs, sc. &c,
calling acessant vigilance en- the part cf
many minds and hands at once, a single hanVilc
attached to the valve gear of ths engines regu-
lates at the will of single mind the movements
of a caloric ship. Starting, stopping, backing
and checking being effected by the single handle,
without any regard to particular conditions, so
essential in working the engines Of the ocean
steamer The arrangement of the caloric ship
being such that the required air Tor the engines
from so TO 90 tons weight per,hour-has to pass
through the fire rooms before entering the sup
ply cylinders, it has been found in the Ericsson
that the temperature is actually too low for the
comfort Of the firemen.
As an engineering achievement, the machln-
cry of the Ericsson is very far ahead OF any
afioat The engineer who beholds four open
cyInde~s each of l6S inches in diameter with
their pistons of upwards of twenty-five thou
sand supercial inches area, moving up and down
in sight, through space of six feet can best
app1 eciate the greatness of that achievement
To the ordinary observer, the movement of the
whole machine is wonderful And we cannot
but feel extremely gratfed that the caloric
principle was introduced to the world on scale
SO commensurate with its importance, and that
our metropolis has the honor of initiating it.