The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-07-23
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Steam on Common Roads,

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. The success at
tending the undertaking of Mcssrs Lee & Lar
ned, IN running their self propelling steam
lire engine from Jersey City to Philadelphia,
affords reasonable presumption that it will
not he many years before steam carriages
ON common roads VIII supercede those drawn
oy horses. 1t was the intention to run this
engine all the distance to Phlladelphia but
the condition Of the bridges upon the ordinary
roads was too Enthusiastically for SO great a
weight, (l2,O00 pounds with all the fuel,
water, and passengers which accompanied it.
AT Bristol, however. the engine was put upon
Its own resources, and with nine passengers
1t commenced its journey, the only doubt
being Ill reference to its endurance and speed
on long pulls, and its power of overcoming
nigh grades were yet TO be proved. The first
halt hour on the road not only settled n Il these
question, but developed reserved power far
beyond the requirements of any ordinary
duty. 1t had been the intention to keep the
carriage which preceded the engine with other
passengers ahead, but it was soon apparent
that this could not be done. The engine in
very few minutes overlook it, held up to it.
got another start, came up again, and
finally passed it, and arrived at Ncsha-
mony Bridge half mile or more
ahead, having made the distance, three miles,
IN exactly sixteen minutes running time
The road was smooth, with a hard bed and
light grades, covered all the way, however
with more or less Of loose material, with
occasional stretches Of pretty deep sand. On
examination the engine was found to be all
right.
With the steam at $50 lbs. the engine was
driven at high speed over bridge which was
not considered strong enough to bear a long
continued weight, and then up hill with an
inclination Of one foot in ten. With every
valve W dC open, and all steam on, it whirlcd
along the slope, apparently at the highest
locomotive speed, and. approa aching the steep
pitch surmountcd il with unfaltcring tread
hurried far on along the level summit, and
stopped, in exactly one minute from the time
oil starting, having traveiscd in that short
interval distance Of fully one thousand feet
The next mile was made in five minutes, the
next following, which included the assent of
another long hill, in six. The result Of the
experiment throughout was that it was found
to be perfectly easy to maintain, on fair
grades motion at the rate of twelve miles
per hour; that when there was any occasion
Tor 1t this rate could be increased one-fourth
Or one-half; that the stecpcst aud longest
hills could be ascendcd at the rate of ten miles
per hour. The whole time occupied on the
trip was five hours thirty four minutes. while
the actual running time was but a minute or
two over two hours The last four miles of
the way, lying through the streets of the city,
was necessarily made at less speed but, even
including thus, it will be seen the actual run
ming time gave an average rate of ten miles
per hour / this can be accomplished by
steam lire cngncs, how much easier will it
he to make equal, if not better time, with
carriages especially adapted to travel ?
Phidd.iphiu Ltd.cr.