Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-05-18
ATMOSPHERIC TELEGRAPH.

We had an opportunity yesterday OF examn-
ing, at No. "a Merchants Exchange, MIR. !. >.
Richardson's ingenious invention, called the AT
mospheric Telegraph" by which letters and par
GELS can be transported considerable distances
with almost incredible velocity rendering it prac-
tically nearly equal in speed to the magnetic tel
egraph, over which it has many advantages in
other respects. The apparatus consists of
tube connecting the places between which the
communication is to be maintained, in which a
sort of piston, called plunger," is lifted, with
loose leather packing. The matter to be sem.
is enclosed in bag behind this plunger Its
propulsation is secured by the pressure OF the
atmosphere of ordinary density behind it-that
in front being rarifed by means of an air pumps
producing partial vacuum. This propellng
power is so great as to produce an apparently
instantaneous motion of the plunger with its
load, from one end to the other of the model
tube on exhibition, which is about 80 feet long
and II inches in diameter; indeed, the plunger
issues forth with so much force, when not con-
fined as to knock down violently a heavy billet
of wood placed opposite the end of the tube, if
it is left open The speed is estimated at about
1000 miles in an hour.
The apparatus is so arranged that there can
be intermediate stations upon the line, at which
the progress of the "plunger" can be arrested,
or if preferred, it can pass directly thro' to It's
terminus.
The mechanical difficulties to the plan, which
readily suggest themselves, have been ingenious
~, and apparently, effectually obviated by Mr..
Richardson The Inconvenience of the sudden
shock occasoned by the arrival Of the piunger
at the end of its journey, is avoided by an ar
rangement by which portion of the air in front
of it is compressed and allowed to escape but
gradually forming sort of cushion to ease the
Jolt. The retarding effect Oft the friction, caused
by the motion of the large column OF air which
necessarily follows the plunger in the tube, is
prevented by the occasional recurrence ofvalves
in the tube, connecting with the atmosphere to
be opened by the plunger as it passes. The
friction Of the plunger itself is reduced to very
low point by the manner in which its packing is
constructed.
We are Informed that the apparatus has met
with the approval of several gentlemen compe
tent to form sound opinion, who have examin-
ed it.
The patent right of the machine is owned by
the American Telegraph Company, of which Mr.
Richardson is agent. 1t is proposed to open ON
Thursday next, in this city, the subscription
books of a company under the name of the
:" New York q Boston Atmospheric Despatch
Company" to construct line between this city
and New York. The tube of this line, il is pro-
posed, shall be two feet in diameter. The cost
Of laying it down is estimated at $4,000 per
mile. There will be supply valves as often as
one in twenty five miles, and intermediate sta
tons at suitable points for instance, at Wor-
cester, Springfield, &c.
There will be air pumps at all the stations
Hourly mails may be made up and despatched,
a part of them at fixed hours, stopping at the
stations, and the others proceeding through d.
rect. 1t is expected that letters and parcels from
New York would be delivered liz Boston in less
than half an hour. A company able to carry
mail matter at this rate of speed would be pow
erful competitors as contractors for performing
the mail service If sufficient amount Of mat
ter is presented, it is claimed that the actual
cost Of transportation is not more than half that
of any other method, while it is twenty times
as fast. The line need not be straight, but can
be curved so as to follow the face of the ground
or underlie the channels of rivers
1t will be observed that this invention bears
some resemblance to the atmospheric Rail-
ways" so much talked of at one time, but that
it avoids the Objectionable features of that
scheme, as the tube is closed thro'out. 1t is
worthy the attention Of business men. We are
informed that Mr.. Richardson has had in sue
cessful operation line of inch tube mile in
length Boston ADV.
The MILITIA-The following burst of him.