The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-11-19

LENNEOOEE, fk1DA
What b . Lscsnstive Ensinel
First, and perhaps most important, is
the Boiler. This Is q magazine in which
IL stored the power Of thousand giants.
II it be sufficiently strong to hold in this
reserved force, then man has successfully
harncssed the elements, and compels them
to do his bidding.
The second psrt Of this machine is the
Engine. This consists Of cylinder, pis-
ton and valves, with machinery attached
to make an automatic machine. The pis-
ton presents the surface and area on which
the power shall act the valve measurcs
the quantity of force to be admitted at
any one time, and the machinery guides
the valve intelligently, 30 that the breath
ings of the monster shall be regular and
comfortable; for, when once the valve is
opened the huge lungs take in the breath
Of life, and the monster becomes living
thing; and having been baptized in fire,
it yields gently to the controlling power
Of man. The third part Of this machine
is the carriage, without which it would
not be . locomotive.
This carriage, whilst it must be strong,
yet may have almost any form the designer
may choose to give it.
These three parts properly fitted and
rightly Joined, make the locomotive of
are more or less acquainted.
First, of the boiler. The economical
| idea to be carried out is to get sufficient
strength for safety, sufficient heating sur
| face for steam, and at the same time not
add too much weight 80 that it could not
| be readily transported. To do this we
make the boiler Of steel, iron and copper.
The fire-box ITSELF and also the tubes,
are surrounded with water, and as the
| fire and hest spread over large amount
of surface, the heat is easily communicated
| to the water and steam is rapidly gen.
Grated. The comparative merits Of any
two boilers are, first, - to strength and
durability; and secondly, Is to the econo-
my with which they generate steam.
Another indispensable quality in q loco
motive boiler is ightness, by means of
which it is rendered portable. The upper
| part, being about one-fourth of the boiler,
is devoted to steam room. Steam being
lighter than water rises to the top of the
boiler, nom whence it is taken and carried
in pipes to the cylinder or cylinders
4 locomotive Is 30 constructed that it
may be worked with one or number of
cylinders Usually it has two, and some
times four.
Looked upon as fine piece of machine
~, the locomotive engine is unsurpassed.
In utility it stands without rival Itcon-
| tains the pent-up forces of thousand
giants, and yet Is as obedient in the hands
Of its master as the gentlest tsteed of the
Arab. Swifter than the wind, and strong
as Jove's thunder-bolts, by day and by
night it is driven over blooming prairies,
land through mountain glen-day time
and night time it is the faithful servant OF
a generous public, and the great civilizer
of the age.
The cost Of q frst-class locomotive, at
the present time, il about thirteen thou
sand five hundred dollars in currency.
This price includes engine and tender 1T
ted up for complete service.
Indeed, some very large locomotives
cost very much larger sums of money, but
the above is fair price for good loco
motive.
Water Is q liquid, produced from a
chemical union Of two gases, oxygen and
hydrogen. It is abundant in nature,
though it il seldom found pure. So great
are its solvent powers that in its percOla-
tions through the earth it dissolves sub
stances and holds them in solution. 1t
also, in falling from the clouds in form of
rain, beats down various gases and float.
ing particles, which render 1t more or less
impure.
Large bodies Of water that have no out
flows or are only diminished by evap0ra-
ton, are more or less salt; as the oceans,
and some of the lakes.
A cubic foot of pure water weighs one
thousand ounces, or about sixty-two and
one half pounds
When heated to two hundred and twelve
degrees Fahrenheit" 1t vaporizes, and if
unconfned, passes rapidly away. If
heated beyond two hundred and twelve
degrees and confined, it gives force or
pressure, and this force or pressure in
creases with every degree of heat till its
| force becomes fearful, and its pressure be-
yond control.
At q temperature of three hundred de-
grees 1t has pressure Of fifty pounds on
the square inch.
At temperature of three hundred and
forty-two degrees, it has pressure Of one
hundred pounds per square inch. At a
Temperature of three hundred and eighty
two degrees, it has pressure Of two hun
dred pounds per square inch. So with
every increased degree of heat there is an
increased amount of pressure, which,
though not following in exact ratio, yet
pretty nearly keeps pace the one with the
other.
When steam is kept in contact with
water it is usually saturated steam. When
steam is heated separate from water 1t is
what is called dry steam, or in other words
superheated. Steam may be superheated
to such degree that when brought into
contact with water, or when water is in
jected into steam, the whole Is instantly
flashed into steam, and terrible explosions
take place in consequence.
Therefore, it will be seen that very
great care Is necessary in the management
Of steam, for, though q good servant, it is
hard master.
Then to sum up the whole, how won.
derful Is the thought that from the misty
vapor that rises from the earth until L
forms the cloud, is distilled the gentle
rain, and from the rain-drop, baptized
with fire, we derive the power that bids
defiance to time and space.
With this mighty force we traverse the
ocean against wind and tide.
With ribs of iron and sinews of stee
the fiery horse Of the present day comes
forth. The earth trembles at his tread
and the mountains echo back his sonoroul
breathings. His shrill voice startles intt
new life the unbroken silence of sixty cen
turies. His course is onward over the
mountain ranges and through the broker
canons He stops not at the borders o
civilization, but pushes forward to dras
civilization in his train. The pulpit anf
the school house follow the path of thu
shovel and the spade, whilst the locomo
tive becomes the herald Of q more glori
ous civilization to our whole country
Jdogusmenk, in Bgeomiagton, ~, Leader.
i How 70 UnhiteA q Team.
l.