The New York herald., 1871-09-04
LAUNCH OF UNITED STATES REVENUE
STEAMER AT BUFFALO.

SOmefhlng New In Her PrOpelling Power.
From the Buffalo Courier, Sept IL
A la rye NUMBER assembled at Mr.. David Bells
shipyard yesterday morning to witness the launch
Of the iron revenue steamer Gallatln and their pa
tien &C was rewarded with the sight Of successful
laun ch. Although the time appointed was nine
ocl ock 1t not TIL eleven that the last block was
knocked away and the -Gaatin gracefully and
gently, but rapidly y, slipped into the wafer. The
christening was uOne In the usual manner, Miss
Mary Bell breaking bottle OF champagne over the
vessels bow. One incident occurred which caused
q great deal OF amusement the moment after
rolled rolf % over on her port beam she threw m ''s
the creek. drencning some forty men and boys
thoroughly, and, although an amusing scene 10
those the near side, the bath was anything but
agreeable to the unwary recipients. moment
later the Gallatin was on her keel, and the water
again still. This lS the last OF the iron steamers
built at mis- port the present year, all OF which have
been credit TO the builders and enhanced Butialos
reputation Tor Designating, "a building, Amongthe spectators
| OF Construction, and Lieutenant John Braun, U. =.
n, Assistant superintendent OF Construction. The
former gentleman has had his residence in Bunaio
Galatn.
The Gallatin will have machinery similar to what
IS described below:-Ihe stern OF the boat to which
the machinery Is now applied Is cut away UNDER
latter has screw nearly horizontal the SHAFT Of the
bowler wheel Is perpendicular In the stern, and the
n9ee ar each ae Win M pade xve
ments were made with f)ur and two, but three were
found 10 be most economical The wheel IS "a feet
IN diameter. The extremity OF each arm Is inserted
by movable Joint IN the centre OF thin, strong
steel blade, standing perpendicular. The blades
are 2S inches III deptn II inches at the top ana 10
at the bottom. and slightly rounded at the counters
The blades stand with their sides towards the cen
tire snait. Above the arms there Is eccentric
on the shaft, which IL held fast as the wheel re-
wolves From the RING or strap around the eccentric
Now as he shaft revolves the blades, as they pa
around the circle change their SET so to speak-thas
Is the e0ge OF blade TO which the eccentric rod Is
attached moves from and toward the snaIt. As
blade moves forward 1t acts upon the water much as
q mans hand does when he Is swimming IL may
be said TO hook or hui upon the water and pull the
boat forward. As the blade goes to the rear It's
angle upon the arm or radius Is changed, and In
passing around the rear OF the shaft the blade drives
the water TO the rear, pushing the boat forward. In
the revolution there two points at which the
blade is parallel with the Keel and no power.
forward upon the line OF her Keel. Ths eccentric is
governed by wheel deck, Just like the
ordinary steering-wheel II 1t be desired to
change the course Of the vessel the &c,
the blades, and the line or force exerted Is
put at any desired angle with the keel In an in
santl, with q whirl OF Inc wheel. the power Is ex-
er.ed at right angles with the keel. ana the ooat @
whris round. Or, without word or signal 10 the
engineer, this power Is completely reversed anu tne
wheel Is pulling straight astern. Ia Iew seconds
the boat Is going astern There IS no reversing gear
on the engine. The power can be exerted IN any
directou-that is at any angle win the Keel, with
an easy turn OF the wheel, which TWO fingers can
govern. There Is rudder on Tue boat. The steer
inQ IL done by shiftng the direction OF the power.
Tne Ericsson screw works IN plane vertical TO and
al right angles with The Keel The Fowler wheel
works In a horizontal plane. The latter can adjust
INC breadth and depth OF its blades so as To exert
the blades below the Ice. and. at the same time,
farther from the bottom than the screw works.