Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-03
NOT A REIGN OF SMOKE
Consumers Are to Be Placed On All
the Pittsburg Steamboats,.
THE INVENTION OF A PITTSBURGER
Promises to Reduce the Records Of the
Ocean Greyhounds.
NAVAL AUTHORITIES ARE INTERESTED

| Another smoke consuming device has
been invented by Pittsburg man, andi is
! to be introduced in a number of the Pitts
burg boats. John Barclay, engineer of the
| towboat, Hornet No. g belonging to Cap
tain Marsh Mcdonald, mas been expert
menting for several months on the furnace
of the Hornet. His idea has been
to introduce cold blast or blasts of air
into the firebox instead of hot Dir or Jets of
steam as has been the practice in other
! smoke consumers. He met with but indiffer-
ent success until recently, when he proved
that his theory was a correct one. The de-
vice consists simply of a number of tubes
about IL inches in diameter and nine or
! ten inches long extending through the sides
of the firebox, thus making an opening from
the interior to the outer air. The difficulty
was to locate the exact points where these
openings should be made. These have been
definitely determined, and on this point the
patent is based.
There are 13 of these openings in the
Hornet, SO placed that perfect combustion
is obtained. There is a very strong thrush
of air when the fires are started, and so per-
the fuel are burned and not the faintest
shadow of smoke issues from the stacks So
say the river men who have watched the
progress of the experiments with great in
terest.
A STEAMBOAT WITHOUT SMOKE.
The Hornet has made five trips to Gin
cinnati since the adoption of the smoke
IL l.
result was that q saving of from 900 to q 500
bushels OF coal during the trip was
noted, as well as the fact that
steam was raised and q regular pressure
maintained with much greater ease than
under the old system. In consequence of
this saving Of time amounting to from 10 to
IA hours was made during the trip.
The Joe B. Williams, W. W. O'Neil, Beaver
and several other boats have been fitted up
with the device, and many others have in
vestigated the working of the system with
the intention Of adopting it If satisfactory.
The inventor states that the idea was sug-
gested to him while watching the burning
Of an ordinary kerosene lamp, the fame OF
which, when supplied with too much or too
little oxygen, would flicker and smoke, but
when the proportion was just right the flame
was clear and bright, and none OF the gases
escaped unconsumed.
The patentee states that arrangements
have been made Tor introducing it on the
steamship Etrurfa. When in use the draft
produced is so strong that the air in the
vicinity of the front or the fire box is kept
at comfortable temperature and the work
OF the stokers lessened to a great extent.
Many business men and manufacturers
have examined the contrivance with the OBJ
iect of introducing it into their establish
ments.
Mr. Barclay is disinclined to talk very
much about his discovery at present, and
has been keeping very quiet about it while
experimenting.
Dr.. Frank Mcdonald, son of Captain
MCDONALD. a deem interest
thing, He was seen last night at his Office,
and said that while he was highly apprecia-
tive Of and enthusiastic over, the immense
possibilities connected with the appliance,
1t had been thought best to not say very
much about 1t until certain arrangements
had been made.
IT CAN BE USED IN LOCOMOTIVES
DIR. Mcdonald said that the invention
would not be confined to steamboats,, but
was applicable to any furnaces, and that
.well-known locomotive manufacturing firm !,
of Pittsburg had instituted investigations
and would probably introduce it on their
locomotives. He stated that the biggest
thing in connection with the invention
was, when applied to ocean steamers,
was carried by them would be reduced IS per
cent and the stoke hole of these ships would
be rendered comparatively comfortable.
Naval commissioners said the % doctor have
report in favor of its adoption, as is well
known the question of saving space in war
vessels Is very important matter, and the
decreasing of the amount Of fuel necessary
is greatly to be desired. DR.. Mcdonald will
go to Europe soon in the interest of the COM
pany which will be formed.
On n vessel such as the Teutonic in which
about 5000 bushels of coal are burned per
day, it will be readily seen that a saving of
25 per cent in fuel will be quite an item.