The weekly Minnesotian., 1857-12-05
From the London Post.
Another Novel Steamship - Great In
crease of speed.

Another Novel Steamship - Great In.
crease of speed.
There is now in course of construction, at
the Southwark Iron Works, small steam
ship, built of iron upon new principle,
which the builders believe will accomplish an
average speed of from 25 to 80 miles an
hour. The invention, for which a patent has
been obtained, is intended to be applied to
special transit vessels only, and is not suitable
to river steamers, or other vessels intended
to be used where the water is shallow or the
channel uncertain Should the expectations
of the builders be realized, vessel bui t and
fitted in the manner proposed can make the
voyage from Liverpool to New York IN five
days, or from Liverpool to Melbourne IN for
ty days. The novelty Of the invention con-
sists for the most part in constructing the
vessel so that the centre Of gravity is placed
below the water line. This is effected by
constructing a chamber called a SWELL all
along the bottom of the vessel, in which the
machinery, Goals and stores Can be deposited.
AS it is not proposed that the vessei shall
carry cargo, the centre of gravity will thus
become suspended instead of a supported
body and it is believed this peculiar forma-
ton will materially decrease the area Of re-
sistance to water. The sides Of the vessel
rise perpendcularly from the well and al
though the appearance of the vessel at pres
ent is any, hing but grateful, the patentee is
Of opinion that her form is constructed so as
to secure the greatest amount Of speed COM
patible with safety.
The improvements proposed to be carried
out may be shortly described as follows -
l. Vessels built according to this plan
show decrease in the area of resistance to
the water full 80 per cent. when measured
against any other vessel of the same breadth
Of beam aud draught Of water, thus insuring
greater speed.
2. They have better disposition of the
centre of gravity, a consequent increase OF
stability, and decrease in the amount Of os-
cillatiOn, enabling them, when required, to
carry larger quantity Of canvas than other
vessels of the same size.
3. The engines are so constructed as to
effect economy in space and weight, causing
also a saving of Goals equal to sixth of the
consumption of other marine engines.
4. She screw propeller possesses greater
power of propulsion than any other rope.lor
yet introduced by at least 80 per cent.
5. Attached to the engine is a powerful
signal steam whistle, so constructed as to
give out code OF signals by which captains OF
SHIPS may communicate with each other, by
sounds perfectly ineligible, at distance OF
three or four miles apart Tie object Of this
portion of the invention is to prevent coils
ions at sea during dark nights in foggv
weather. The novelty IN the steam propeller
is confued to the manner of fixing the fans
50 that each blade when revolving will clear
the other of back water. This adaptation
seems extremely simple. The introduction
of a buoyant drum or boss in which the root
of the fan is fixed, also reduces the weight OF
the shaft by about two thirds The trial
vessel, which will be ready for launching in
a few days, is of sixty tons burthen, and wher
fitted with her engines and stores will weigh
only IA tons. She is formed of plate iron
one eighth Of an inch thick, and ribs Is inch
es apart. The inventor proposes to take heI
to New York when finished.