The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-15

tends q State fair or an agricultural and
mechanical exhibition. he is sure to give
the greater part of his time to the macllin
cry department. In fact, he is a devotee
of the mechanical sciences, and, as will be
shown, an inventor of more than ordinary
genius.
MR.. MANsILL,
in conversation with an ARGUS reporter,
said that he thought he had invented a
wheel that could be used on steamboats, to
increase the speed at least one half; that
these wheels could be used on large OF
small steamers, and the speed increased
according to the number of wheels used;
that any number, from two to dozen, can
be utilized on one boat, and that it was
the one thing needed to accelerate motion
on the water.
This is not a reckless experiment" said
Mr.. Mansill, ''but the result of years of
study. / have been at work on this plan
for years, and in 1876 came near build
ing boat with these wheels ON for exhi-
bition at the Centennial, but / found it
would cost me about So 900 or $4,000,
and was in doubt about several minor
points, and enc or two parts of construc-
ton in the wheels. and although had no
idea of failure. at the same time / conclud-
ed that was too much money to put into
an experiment, and so l abandoned the
idea of going to the Centennial. But /
have be en-
EXPERIMENTING CONSTANTLY
to make set of wheels that would be ap-
plicable to steamers, and | believe | have
solved the problem am not prepared
to give you all the details, but / will tell
you something about how it works, so you
can form an idea of the invention. think
it can be demonstrated that these wheels
viii enable steamers to make faster time
than any boats that have been in these wa
ters. The great fault with the old wheels
is, that they churn the water, and besides
carry it up, thus making the boat heavier.
The faster the wheels move the more the
water is carried up, while the boats keep
going deeper in the water. This is all OBJ
Waited by the new wheels have mentioned.
These will not carry the water up, but aid
ed by the movements of the paddles,
which are made different from any in use,
the boat is lifted up slightly, thus enabling
it to glide and not drag, and the faster the
wheels move, the lighter the load to carry,
while the
SPEED OF THE STEAMER
IS increased. These wheels will be on the
sides, and if necessary dozen can be used
on one boat. / have made this subject
study for years and believe | have settled
the question of increasing the speed. Be
sides, a pretty fair passenger boat, with
my wheels. can be built for a great deal
less money than by the old method, and
that is an object"
Twill this patent wheel be applicable to
ocean steamers?" Intercepted the repor
ter
''Wen, no, that is I have not got that
far yet-but may" he added. AT pres
emit am content to have it apply to river
steamers and those on the lakes.
PUBLIC TEST.
'sWin you give public trial of speed
when your boat is completely"
II have not yet determined whether 1
viii or not / may, however, but / would
not like to promise, for you know there is
always some little thing or other out of
gear. But
GIVE F,r-52r TRIAL
at some time, though it viii be when every
thing is ready, not before"
MIR. Mansill went on to describe the
BENEFICIAL RESULTS
to follow the introduction of his wheels,
which, he says, viii do even more than he
claims, and that one of his wheels can do
more work than any two wheels of the old
kind, as a propelling power
The boat Mr.. Mansill is now building
has four wheels and when completed will,
it is claimed by the inventor, make faster
time than any boat of its size on the Mis-
sissippi, Mr.. Mansill is very enthusiastic
over his invention and regards failure as
next to impossible.
ofhut NJ Work