Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-03-10
A New Electro.Magnetie Maehine.

The mechanical world has for years felt
strong conviction that the time Is not lar
distant when electricity will be brought into
practical use as motive power, and eyentu-
ally made to supersede steam. On several
occasions We have apparently been upon the
very verge Of this consummation, but as yet
only to be doomed to disappointment. The
present announcement, may, and very likely
tciH result in failure; but each new effort
appears to be step in advance, and the opin-
ion is constantly gaining strength Of the ul-
innate accomplishment of the destderat1pm.
The inventor of this new magnetic engine
is Capt. John Reeves Of New York i; the en-
gine is rotary, and is constructed upon
principle entirely different from anything
heretofore introduced. The method Oh which
Capt. Reeves POUNDS his principle for pro-
ducing and augmenting motive power by cleo
tricity is peculiar in its machinery, but com
paratively similar in its nature to that by
which other elements are brought into prac.
tical use; that is, the greater the area Of
the surface exposed to the action of the mo-
tive or first cause, whether it be wind, water,
steam, or electricity, the greater the effect
produced in the motive power. In regard to
the expense, the inventor makes this COM
parison: In extending the area Of 4 steam
engine to increase the power, the momentum
being the same, the ratio OF expense will in
crease in proportion. But electricity, being
OF different nature, when the area Of sur
face is extended, extra power is obtained,
with diminished ratio Of expense. For in
stance: suppose it costs ~ % per horse
power for the material TO keep jO-horSc
power cOndensing marine steam engine ut
work for twenty-four hours, and the area Of
the surface in the piston is extended suiII-
Al. Ia, h,rz h..
per horse power for producing the additional
so would be equal to that Of the first 30. But
suppose the cost is ten cents per horse power
for material to keep fifty horse marine
electromagnetic rotary engine at work for
twenty-four hours, and the area of surface j.
extended to produce l00-hOrsc power, the adj
ditiOnal 5O-horsc power would be obtained At
quarter less cost than the first fifty; there
fore, the whole expense would be greatly Ic-
duced. A marine electro magnetic rotary
engine, and all its accOmpaniments for a
six months cruise, would not occupy more
space in Il vessel than marine steam cncin"
OF equal power, saving the room now required
for furnaces, boilers, coal-bunkcrs, &c. j
vessel that can be propelled by electricity
can be built with one fourth less capacity-
at less expense-with finer lines for speed
carry equal burden, and in every way possess
superior qualities to one built for being pro
PEELED by steam. Again: vessel propelled
by electricity can be entirely closed up when
required. This will make it available for
arming in a peculiar manner either for as
sault or defense, and navigable, submerged or
on the surface of the water. This invention
is destined to make great changes, not only
in our river and ocean navigation, but also in
railways of every description.
The inventor has constructed 4 working