The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-01-26
THE NEW MOTIVE POWER.

So prolific of invention has the present age
become, that our admiration OF the great achlev.
ments of the human mind has rarely time to sink
into that subsistence which familiarity with its
object begets until it is again aroused from its re-
pose by the annuncia,ion of some new and start
ling wonder.
Panegyric has long since exhausted the vocab-
ulary of our language, in Its portrayal of the
countless advantages and blessings which have
flown, and continue still to be derived from the
discovery Of the application of steam AS mo-
tive power; yet that power, glorying, as it were
in its very zenith, is suddenly paralyzed and
overwhelmed by the introduction Of new,
which, in brlliancy, completeness and utility,
threatens the total eclipse Of anything hereto
fore known.
The recent trial trip of the ship Ericsson, is
the theme Of universal comment from one end
ofthe union TO the other, and the fame of its
success, must soon be co-extensive with the
universe "The great idea which has been RE
pening in the brain Of the inventor" for the
last twenty years, has at length matured,
and in it, triumph, has engraven his name deep
in the enduring tablets Of proud and most en-
viable Immortality.
The N. Y. Herald says:
Ii was fortunate for Capt Ericsson and for
the world, that one Of our own enterprislng mer.
chants, John Is. kitching Esq, who apprecia-
ted and relied on his talents and genius, deter
mined at all risks, to enable him to make the
experiment on scale worthy Of the magnitude
Of the issue. For this purpose the latter furn-
Ished half the capital necessary for the enter.
prise, and disposed among bis acquaintances Of
the rest Of the stock ~ this means. and re-.
gardless Of expense, the clipper ship whose frst
performance we have recorded, was built at the
yard Of Perrine, Patterson & Stack, aud 6tted
up with enginery on the caloric principle under
the immediate direction and supervision Of Cap
tain Ericsson. The vessel measures 900 feet
in length Of deck, and 10 feet IN breadth OF
beam; her depth Of hold in ~ feet and her
burden 1900 tons. Like the Arabic Of the Gu
nard line, she has but two masts, and like our
swiftest clippers, she il extremely sharp in the
PROV.
The Ericsson was first named the Caloric,
but in the progress Of her success she was named
~ q. present. We learn that Capt Ericsson
was highly Aattered at the change Of name.
In addition 70 this tribute TO his great genus
the owners gave directions to have the following
beautiful device represented upon the stern Of
the vessel, without the knowledge of the inven.
tor, 30 that they might be able to give him de
serving and most lettering surprse:-The de
vice represents the Captain in an imposing ali
tnde, with England and America placing q
wreath or crown Of triumph upon his brow
II is said that when the Captain was taken down
to the ship, and this device was pointed out to
him for the FIRST time, his feelings 80 completely
overwhelmed him that his whole frame shook
with emotion, and covering his face, he wep,
like child
As mode Of naval architecture, the n Y
Herald again says, there 10 not vessel in our
splendid merchant marine that can compete
with The Ericsson for graceful proportions ane
symmetry ofbaiid All who have seen her con
curr 10 the expression Of admiration Of this beau
tiful ship. and in their opinion Of her superior
sailing qualities, indepe ndent Of any aid from
her machinery.
Another exchange ia speaking Of the grea
advantages which the new discovery possesse,
over steam, sums them up a. follows:
3st The Caloric engine burns sboat one tent
~ mueh foel 40 steam engine. hence Caior
u ship of the largest size may ciresunacigat
fAs glide without stopping to taken in coal
ff1y yeare sfter the suecess Of the new prinei
-~-A.:~. 1erx$n 1v,anhsr,new Gill H. srnlier