Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-07-11
QQ(Ortester Daily Spp.

STEAM CARRIAGES FOR HIGHwAYs-An
ingenious engineer has invented steam car
riage suitable to travel on highways, and a
writer in the Tribune says, made its first ap-
plication from Bristol to Philadelphia, dis,
lance of 20 miles, with much success.
Nine persons rode on the engine nearly all
the way-the remainder accompanying in a
two-horse carriage, and taking turns about
between the horse and steam conveyance
The total weight including the engine, fuel,
water In boiler and tanks, and the nine pas
sengers, was about $4,000 pounds, of which
about 5000 pounds was due to the engine it.
self. We heard, at Bristol, an omnous report
of the condition Of the draw in tile bridge over
Neshaming Creek, three miles ahead, but it
was too late to be scared by any mere bugbears
IN that shape. The locomotive was sent back
the carriage went on nearly mile ahead but
still keeping i'll sight, and then, at exactly 2:52
P. NJ, steam was let on, and the engine started
1t had been the intention that the carriage
should keep ahead, but it soon became mani
fest that this was out of the question. The
horses were strong and willing, but they could
hold no contest with the tireess horse-giant
that had taken the road with them. In avery
few minutes it overhauled them, checked up.
and finally stopped for little while to let them
most Immediately it was close on them again,
overlook and passed them, and reached the
gate near RESTRAINING Bridge good half mile
IN advance, in Is minutes from the time of
starting, having made the first three miles in
Ito minutes running time.
AT this point they came to an old bridge,
little shaky, but the riders consoled themselves
with the faith that if it fell, the engine would
cross before it fell far.
But there was another difficulty. On the
other side rose long hill, of high grade
throughout, with sharp pitch one third of the
way up. The road had good hard bed COW
cred, moreover, here and there, with loose
gravel that promised but a poor footing for the
whirling tread of the iron steed But there
was to be no finching; the ascent must be
made the steam must go up, to $50 pounds,
II need be, the suspicious bridge be crossed at
full speed, and the gradual slope beyond to the
sharp pitch, and then the momentum the lever
down IN full gear forward" with throttle
valve wide open and all steam on, must do the
rest Every man that could be spared left the
engine, we took our positions all along up the
hlll the men from the saw mill below left their
work and gathered by the road side, and all
awaited "the charge" 1t was a moment of in
tense excitement, but the time keeper, watch
Uiu Aot idll " IlOlc inc exact instant OF
the start. This word is given; the engine
moves deliberately for a few yards then, as
steam is let on, takes the bridge as with leap
and fairly jumps, as the long tmbers vibrate
LII response to the heavy impulses Of the driy-
ers IN another instant it has shot across the
quaklng draw, and is seen emerging from the
dark archway, every man at his post, with en-
ergles strung to the utmost tension, while the
man OF iron and fire on the deck, bending over
them with barred head, and begrimmed face
and black, streaming beard and hair, and
flashing eyes, that take in at once the machin-
cry, the men, and the confronting track shouts
to the engineer, who shrinks from the very
turthest thrust, "Down, down, down with |
your lever, and down it is, and the engine,
now with full steam on, impelling the pistons
III strokes of furious energy, and with speed
of full Is miles per hour, clears the SLOPE and
with facility that surprises every beholder
mounts the steep and presses on to the level
summit when it is brought to stand, more
than 1000 feet from the starting point having
made the distance in exactly one minute