Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-05-26
W iard,s Ice Boat.

arrived on the cars Of the M. d NJ. r. r.
May l4th. Its appearance is attractive,
and it looks like an efficient machine. Aot-
outstanding the delays and disappoint-
ments attending its arrival, we think Mr..
Wizard has exhibited a Wonderful skill in its
construction and commendable energy and
determination in overcoming the difficulties
he has had to encounter from beginning,
without MEANS, to the complete building,
equipment and transportation SO long dis
lance, OF so elaborate, and if successful, so
important machine.
The Lady Franklin is % feet long and
feet wide. A boot behind for baggage
adds five feet to its length. It rests upon
four runners or, skates oil the ice, when
ready for operation, and is propelled with
driving-wheel feet s inches in diameter,
driven by two steam engines, six inches di-
ameter Of cylehder twelve inches stroke
The wheel can be adjusted to any required
pressure on the ice, by screws upon the up
right parts of the runners, acting upon
springs, leaving it free to rise and depress
to fit itself to irregularities and di,ersities of
the surface of the ice. 1t is a beautiful
model throughout and is tastefully orEa-
mented; has beautiful headlight, bell,
steam whistles, &c. The boilers are cover
ed with sheet brass, nicely FURNISHED. The
nineteen panels on the outside are splendid
" painted upon inlaid pearl. Inside the
cabin, the seats are upholstered with dam
ask velvet, and the panels over the windows
are fixed with Gilt mouldines, and contain
photographs Of distinguished individuals and
friends Of the inventor, among them several
gentlemen Of Prairie du Chen. The cab
in has double windows to guard against
frost upon the glass, ventilated scientifically,
is warmed by steam, and being in the front
part of the car with windows all around is
pleasant to ride in. There are two halls
fol entrance--one on each side-with iron
steps and brass hand-rail of elegant design.
All this in an iron life-boat with eighty-four
water tight apartments. The boat is suffi-
Gent to sustain the load; drawing eleven
inches Of water, and fifty Of the water-tight
apartments would displace the same amount
of water, consequently thirty-four would
have to. be broken before the boat could be
sunk; and it would draw but two inches
more water if leaking or broken through.
The car is furnished with an ingenious but
simple apparatus by whiehit attairs the feed
water for the boilers without stopping and
without water stations, pumps, tanks or at
tendance on the ice. The whole boat can
be raised a. lowered, while in motion or
at rest; by the power Of the engines, II can
be lowered so that two extra or duplicate
runners, the whole length of the bottom,
can bear upon the ice, and is always intend
ed to be run as low as possible to the ice.
The Gli1ing-wheel is made of Two sheets Of
boiler iron, with cast steel, corrugated edge,
sharp to penetrate the ice, ard does not
pack down the snow as it rolls over the ice.
The boat is provided with anchors and
ropes to be used by the power Of the en-
gines to draw it slowly out of the water on
the ice. if in by accident, or over or through
a snow-bank. The machine is so entirely
novel in Its construction that each part re-
quires description at greater length than
tie can give.
Mr.. Wizard intends having the boat on
exhibition here during the summer with
the engines in operation, and proposes to
visit theriyer towns with his beautiful work
ING model, and other means of illustration,
and will give correct information with re-
gard to all bis plans, explain the means Of
getting over rough ice at high speed, and
the manner of moving freight on the ice as
web as overland en- the snow. We cannot
in one article convey all the information,
but believe the subject ofsuflicient impor-
lance to merit enquiry. All who have seen
the boat express themselves pleased.-Pfaj-
rie du Chen Lsdasr.