Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-10-07
Screw Propcllers In Steam Vesse

Screw PrOpcllers ~ Vessels.
From an article in the London Mechanics Prac-
teal Journal upon this subject, we condense the
following:
The Pennsular and Oriental Steam Packet Com
pany have made, and are still making very many
experiments in order to test the availability of the
screw propeller, the old side wheel, and such
has been their experience that all of their new YES
sells are being built with the screw and such of the
old side wheel ones considered worthy of the
expense are altered to screws.
comparison of the cost of the two modes of pro-
pulsion presents the following results
The screw steamer Bengal, $3.50 tons burthen.
of 40 horse power, consuming as tons of fuel dali
ly, and carrying from 600 TO 700 tons of freight
cost 100000.
The Ornoco, side wheel steamer, belonging to
the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company of the same
tonnage, $50 horse power, consuming IS to 80 tons
OF fuel per day, and carrying $50 or 800 tons of
freight, cost from 995,OO0 to 100000
Thus, as the screw steamer costs less originally
having less need of fuel, carry freight is
less liable to accidents from Earring and the heavy
conclusions of the side wheels upon the waves. and
makes better speed, it is not surprising that of
capital are turning their attention to them.
Among the experiments made and making, was
one with what is termed the boomerang propeller
from ITS principle of construction being derived
from an instrument of that name, in use amongst
the aborgines of Australia, particulars of which
can be found upon page 1862 of the Record.)
This propeller has been applied to the steamer
Conflict attaining speed of 81 knots average, with
654 revolutions. which is more than the average
speed OF the same vessel with the common screw =
The Geneva also made an experimental trip from
Liverpool to Quebec in thirteen days; and in her
homeward passage averaged one knot an hour
more than she had ever made with the common
screw.
The side wheels have ever been Objectionable for
several reasons. the principal of which have been
the jar impaired to the vessel by the striking of the
hoatboards upon the waves in rough seas, and the
backwater lifted by the floats they come out of
the water. Many experiments have been made to
remedy these objections, but none of them have vet
been put into practice with any success
| Railroad Record.
AN OLD PREss.-The editors OF the Hilsboro' Recor.
oer append the following to notice of the death of
admiral Cockburn from the National Intellgencer
we presume this to be the oldest pess in the State
least it has seen some service
- we are now using the press upon which Admiral
Cockourn's men expended some of theta violence.
when they committed their ourages in Washington CITY
The lnelligencer had made itself obnoxious TO the
British by its warm and influential advocacy of Amer
can rights, and the tools of Admiral Cockburn sough,
70 destroy It by breaking the press upon which it was
printed. The press was broken but by the aid of a
little mechanical SKILL il was again put in operation
and we are able still to do pretty good work upon il
1t IS an old fashioned press and was badly construct
ed. And now, having survived the Admiral and be.
ing 100 small for our purpose hope TO be able soon
70 supply It's place with new one.l-Editors Recor