The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-09-23
Disastrous Termination OF n Grand
Scientific Experiment.


The following amusing account Of the trial
of new Invention, which we copy from the
Alta, has an irresistible pathus in lis connec-
ton with the destroyed hopes and rudely
broken dreams of the inventor The laugh
of the million is woven out OF the sorrows
of the one most uudecciyed by the expert
mcnt.
Some time since, a detailed account was
given in the Alta, of a combination boat, or
three boats hitched together, tandem style,
so as to form one boat, which, by the simple
action Of the waves, was to obtain power 10
run itself, invented by Mr.. Robertson, a
worthy mechanic, and constructed at North
Beach, at an expense of $1,000 to 5000.
The theory on which the boat was con-
structed was a novel and startling one, and it
needed but glance TO satisfy the most skep-
tical that If it worked at all, when reduced
to actual practice, ii must effect a complete
revolution in navigation, superseding steam
and sail on the ocean and great lakes COM
pletely. The rougher the sea, the faster the
boat was to travel.
In his minds eve, the inventor saw the
new boat travelling the waters like thing of
life, riding the pillows sea-serpent fashion,
independent of steam or other expensive mo-
tive power, enjoying the tempest and fairly
exulting in the storm. In due time the boat
was completed, and day fixed Cor the trial
triD which was to demonstrate the immense
value Of the new discovery in maritime nav
igation. So confident was the inventor
its complete success, that he made prepare
tions for n voyage of considerable length
not mere pleasure trip around the Bay in
shallow water-but good, honest voyage
outside, on 1.-THE sea, the sea, the deep blue
sea-" etc. Crackers, cheese and soft-tack,
with limited supply of liquid refreshments
for ten days voyage were taken on board,
ballast was put in, and at ebb tide the new
sovereign Of the seas put off from Meigg's
Wharf, four persons the inventor, Capt.
Young, and two sailors-being on board.
She was hardly clear of the wharf when she
swung round, broadside to the tide aud
commenced bobbing and ducking in a most
unpromisingiy perverse manner, refusing TO
obey the helm at ALL Occasionally she would
lurch SO heavily that her wheel-house would
be submerged, and some anxiety was felt by
those on shore for those on board. She made
very good time floating with the tide, side
wise instead of endwise, but while the wheels
revolved they did not seem to give the boat
any additional speed. The fact was soon APP
parent TO those on shore that the old expert
ment of man standing in a wash-tub and
lifting himself over a stone wall by taking
hold of the handles, was being repeated in
different form. The motive power being in
the water, not the boat, as q matter of course
the wheels would turn any light machinery
in the boat, but would not send the boat il.
self ahead an inch, and the unmanageable
monster would simply move icith the water,
and not through it. The inventor was, how
ever, still sanguine that all he required was
regular waves; once outside among them
and he was all right-the rougher it became.
no hnffnr hn for all ,aA
The boat went on like a raft until it had been
carried outside the Heads, when it went over
the bar, into the rough water, and then went
overiiselt, by way of varying the programme,
without the slightest regard for the feelings
or wishes of the inventor and his friends on
board. Like the old lady who, being told
by sympathizing friend that she should
have held fast to the wagon and trusted to
Providence when the old mare ran away,
down hill with her, replied: 4" Yes, and did
trust in Providence till the breeding broke,
and then thought ii was about time to look
out for myself" the party on board now
thought it was about time TO strike out on
their own hook. The theory of the inventor
did not contemplate navigating the ocean
keel appermost, ard it was clearly no time
to stand on distractions and technicalties
They had taken a small boat in tow when
they started out, to be used in case they might
wish TO land on an island to hunt turtle, or
anything of that kind, aud that saved them
until the pilot-boat Caleb Curtis came to their
rescue and took them on board. The steam
tug Rescue was in the vicinity, and her Cap
tain thought he could tow the wreck back to
San Francisco for about $500, but the in-
ventor did not appear to think il worth being
rescued at such a figure, under the circum-
stances, and it went on Chinawards, or 9TH
erwards, on its own hook: it has probably
reached there by this time.
1t is easy enough, of course, to look wise
after thing has failed, or proven a success,
and say, " | told you or but we must ad- !
nit that the theory on which the boat was
never met with a great number |
of believers among practical mechanics-lt !
smaeked too much of the perpetual motion |
idea, on which so many inventive minds have |
been hopelessiy wrecked. Mr.. Robertson |
was, however, deeply impressed with the /
belief that he had discovered a valuable me- |
chanical principle, and his heavy loss will be |
q source of regret to his many friends There |
was something said in the streets last evening /
about sending the Avitor HeTmes in search of /
the back-action selfpropelling boat, 1t being /
thought that between wind and water some /
thing might be done with one or both, but 4
We believe the suggestion did not produce /
any practical result. So ends the expert I
mint, we presume. In spite of our regret |
for the loss and sympathy for the loser, we 1
are foreibly reminded of the incident so |
related by the English poet in |
the words:
'Three wise men Of Gotham
Went TO in a bowl:
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