The New York herald., 1871-09-27

A New and Valuable Use for Peaf-Iis Con-
version Into Fuel-Expcrinient Board the
Steamboat Schnrz-Gain of II Quarter Of a
Ton Over Anthracite COal-What The New
Fuel is Made OF.
About three years since o number OF gentlemen,
believing that peat was convertible into fuel asso.
cated themselves together to make experiments,
and, after procuring patent, succeeded in estab-
fishing the fact that 1t was feasible add this
interest to the commercial wealth OF the country.
Step by step the experiments progressed, and en-
couragng opinions were given from all Sides The
owners OF this interest recently arrived at the
cusion that the fuel being now ut for use as 1t
was intended it should be, the judgpHpt Of experts
and scientific men should be obtained as to its
merits for public utility, and TO test whether
Or not 1t possessed all the advantages claimed
for 1t. ,.4
About week ago this fuel was tested on a
North River tugb0at and it was said that only one
ton of it was consumed within q time when 1t would
generate the same amount or steam. 1t was be-
leyed to be OF SO much Importance to ascertain the
truth OF . this statement and others similar
experts and scientific men to MAKE tie siricsst test
as to the qualities OF the fuel, well Tor their own
protection as for the general good This committee
consisted OF Joseph Beknap, supervising Inspector
General o. UNI United States syeamers William w.
Pacific Mail Steamship Company; William A. Light
ALL engineer and inventor OF the surface condenser
John German, superintendent and Engineer OF the
Atlantic Mail Steamship Company; Fletcher,
Harrison Co., engineers; Captain Albert De
eroot, designer of the Vanderbilt bronze; Cap
tain A. T. ST. John, Of Peoples line Of steamers.
and Captain Charles W0osey, superintendent Of
the Jersey City Ferry Company. The majority OF
these gentlemen assembled yesterday ON board the
steamboat Schurz lying at pier 35 North River to
test the new fuel and the following may be stated
briefly to be the result Of the eXperiment:-Flres
lighted with wood at 920 A. NJ. lighted with fuel at
94O vapor at 1920; three pounds of steam at 1850;
twenty pounds OF steam IN one hour and thirty:hve
minutes after lighting fuel, 1913 pounds Of fuel hav
ing been used in getting the 20 pounds Of steam;
In six hours IA tons OF fuel used. The
captain Of the Schurz stated that it would
have taken two tons or anthracite coal
TO work the boat during the same time. The test
yesterday therefore, showed gam OF quarter of
a ton In SIX hours and 1t must be added that tho
the CRATE or the boiler being too far apart. thus
allowing the fuel to slip through. This ncOnveni-
ence was so great that layer OF coal had bepaced
across the bars. The tuei that had escaped was
afterwards burned though saturated with the water
from one OIL the pipes.
The fuel consists OF seventy per cent OF peat,
twenty per cent OF coal dust, the remaining ten per
cent being Of resin and coal tar. 1t is made up III
cakes or brick shape, and gives strong heat and
a brilliant flame. Among many other things claimed
Tor IT, 1t Is said to throw out no sparks and TO leave
but little ashes. Probably the report OF the experts
and engineers to the interested parties VIII be
favOrable though whether II will admit all that Is
claimed for the fuel may be doubtful. While the
experiment was being made the SchurZ steamed
down the river TO Fort Lafayette, returning up as
far as ManhaUanville and thence to her pier afford
Ing pleasant time to those on board.