The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-09


designed the ironclad Monitor, died this
morning shortly after 10 o'clock He had
been ill for a week when a physician was
called. Owing TO his advanced age Mr..
Ericsson failed to rally. The deceased was
born on July 81, 1902 in the province Of
Weinland, Sweden.
John Ericsson was born in Longban-
shyttan, province of Wermeand. Sweden.
July 81, 1903. His mechanical talents we're
early Recognized. Before he was II years
Of age he had constructed with his own
hands, and after his own plans, miniature
saw-mill, and had made numerous draw
ings of complicated mechanical contriv-
ances. His pronounced ability procured
for him the appointment of cadet in the
corps of mechanical engineers. At the
age of IA he was employed to set out work
Of a section employing 600 soldier opera
tives on the grand Swedish canal.
In 1920 he entered the Swedish
army, and was rapidly promoted to a leu
tenancy. When about % years of age he
constructed condensing hame engine of
ten-horse power, aud In 1895 he went to
England to introduce 1t.
In 1897 he resigned from the army. hav-
ing been promoted to captainoy. Hecon-
tinued TO prosecute his experiments and
produced some novel and valuable inven-
tions. In 1923. in the steamship Victory, he
made the first application to navigation of
the principle Of condensing steam and re-
turning the water to the boiler. In 1929 he
produced the celebrated steam carriage
Novelty" built for the purpose
Of competing with George Stephenson for
the historical Liverpool and Manchester
railway prize. 1t attained the remarkable
speed of thirty miles an hour, but the prize
was awarded TO Stephenson's Racket" be-
cause it proved superior in traction. His
olaarf s.to -.
realized in 1888, and was hailed with aston
ishment by the scientific world of London.
In 1853 the caloric ship Ericsson" of 1000
tons burden was propelled by a motor on
the same principle. A sea trial from New
York to Washington and back established
great economy in fuel, but at speed too
slow TO compete with steam. In 1885 Erics-
son invented aud pateated The screw pro-
peller which reyoutionlzed navigation. In
1889, he left England and settled in
the United States In lS41, under orders
from the United States navy department.
he furnished designs for the screw war shin
Princeton, the first vessel having the pro-
pelling machinery below the water line ouk
Of the reach Of hostile shot This vessel
dictated the reconstruction of the navies Of
the world. The Princeton had many ether
improvements over the war ships of the
period, and is correctly regarded as tbs
pioneer OF modern naval construction, and
also as the foundation OF the steam marine
of the world. During all this time his nu-
merous inventions of useful but minor
character were attracting attention, and he
was receiving medals from exhibitions and
learned societies.
In 1854 be presented to the Emperor Ma
poleon III. plans of a partially sub
ged armored vessel with guns
in revolving shot proof cupola,
placed centrally on her deck. This was
tho first suggestion OF the Monitor which
was designed and built by him at Green
point, N. Y, in 1851, for the United States
government. under very arbitrary condi-
tionS. The Monitor was launched complete
in 100 days from the date of the laying of
the keel She had her memorable encounter
with the confederate Merrimacin Hampton
Roads, March 8, 1852. The Monitor
effected revolution in the construction of
naval vessels, making the second to Erics-
sons credit. His system was at once taken
up by European powers and carried out by
them on a large scale In 1869 he con-
structed thirty steam gunboats for Spain,
aud in 1881 his war vessel, the Destroyer.
was devised. This is only a brief outline
OF his inventions. He was honored by col
leges and learned societies, and kings and
engineers acknowledged in afitting manner
his labors IN behalf Of science.