The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-14
STEERING MADE EASY.
Capt. Sam Martin's Invention, Whereby Ono
Mau Does the Work Of -Four.

THE SUN several months ago described
new steam steering apparatus. invented by
Capt. Sam Martin, n well-known steamboat
man. recently connected with the Plymouth
Rock. The Captain claimed for his invention
great advantages over the ordinary apparatus
for steering steamboats,. Tho old method is
very simple. From tho rudder, two ropes,
chains. or iron rods run forward on each side
OF tho vessel. and arc connected with ropes
which, passing through blocks. run thence up
to the pilot house, where they are fastened to
the barrel or axle OF the wheel. Revolutions Of
this wheel move the rudder. and heretofore.
except In certain ocean steamships. where
complicated machinery Is used. tho wheel has
been turned by human force. Small steamers.
tugs. and the like. can be steered by one man;
larger vessels require two three. and four men
in the wheelhouse. II tho pilot wishes to turn
his vessel to tho left he turns the wheel to the
LEFT, and vice versa. Whom tho ruddcr is thrown
either to the right or left there is n correspond
ing stacking OF the rudder chain on the oppo-
site side. and In rough sea there is n constant
Jerking OF tho ruddcr i'm consequence TO
remedy this. TO keep n constant and uniform
strain on ench rudder chain, and to make
steam take the place Of the severe muscular ex:
crtion now necessary in managing the wheel OF
large steamer, was Capt. Martins aim.
After much thought he hit upon n plan. II
chain about midships Of tho vessel. and in the
place Of the detached pieces put cylinders. In
thcu tlllnutT nc placed nlSton ana connected
the, rudder chains with each piston. This dono
he had to all purposes the same old steering
apparatus. for the pistons were simply links in
the rudder chHins. aud could be moved by
turning the wheel in the pilot house. The next
thing to do was to apply steam to the cylinders
They were consequently Joined by steam
pipe, the boiler was tapped. and The steam sup
piled Through a valve In the pipe connecting the
two, cylinders. This, valve, he operated from
house was straight. II showed that there was an
equal pressure on both pistons. and that there
n mupl steam in oil ndpr nc the Otlpr
As the lever was moved. and the ruddcr turned.
1t transierred percentage OF steam from one
right cylinder went in the piston Of the left pro-
portionatcly ran out, taking up the slack chain
ut the stern and holding the rudder taut in any
position. by turning the lever 10 n certain point
both cylinders were exhausted and tho steam
Tho wheel in the pilot house not only served
rs nm indicator, night and day. 10 show that the
cylinders, were answering the turn Of the lever,
but II could DO used in another way. II there
WIS break in the machinery. or the steam ran
low, the vessel could be stccred in the d-fash-
Toned way with n man at the wheel. the pistons
ia tho cylinders acting ~ link in the chain
that leads from tho wheel to the rudder
This was the invention that Capt. Martin
patented. theoretically il seemed Il success.
The next thing to do was to test its practicable
| ity. So the apparatus was put in the tug joe
worked to n charm. Next. Capt. Martin made
arrangements to put his new steam steering np-
| paratus into the Maryland. large craft that
| plies between Harlem and Jersey City. laden
win freight and passenger cars. The Mary
| lunu Is " uoubl'-fuutl leTFNDpaN. very long,
| broad. high. and uuwieldy. The old Steering
| apparatus consisted Of double trimmed wheels.
| and sometimes four. and never less than three
men were required TO steer her. and even then
IL was necessary at times to slow up in order to
recover from the action Of wind and tide.
Yesterday. at O'Clock, the Maryland mnde
| trial trip from Jersey City to. Harlem. stsered
| by Capt. Martins new invention. Right
| in front Of the wheel slender steel
| lever. came through the floor Capt Martin
held il with one hand. MS, the boat swung into
| the stream. Whom the lever was put 70 the
| right or to tho left the wheel revolved rapidly.
| and the boat obeyed promptly. As the Mary
| land went steadily down the river. rounded the
| Battery. and then ploughed up the East River.
Capt. Brooks the Captain Of the boat. took the
| lever in his own hand while his assistants sat
| down in tho pilot house and looked on. The
new apparatus worked beautifully. and q boy
| Of 10 years could have steered the Maryland.
The main point OF Capt Martins Invention IL
its cheapnees. He says II can be put into any
steam vessel for an eighth OF the cost Of any
steam steering apparatus now In use, and the
cost OF the steam is a mere bagatelle. Those now
| in use are run by donkey engines. requiring
| the services OF extra men at the engines. Capt.
| Martin gets his steam from the boilers in actual
| use. and dispenses with the services OF men al
reQuY emDlOVeI.