The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-06

Of sea water. IL being then impracticable 90
use fresh water, and ON account of the small
tensile strength OF the copper steam was car
ried at low pressure, say from Is to 20
pounds to the iucn. Up 10 1888 wood was used
for fuel ON all the boats. and on some Of them
up 90 1880 or lsi0 He spent some time in
speaking Of the John W. Richmond, built in
1857 whore now stands the NarraGansott elec'
trio light works, for the purpose OF opposing
high charges of the regular transportation
company" eforo school aud after school he
became an almost constant visitor at the ship
yard and later at tho Providence Steam En-
gino shop, whore the engine was built He
spoke of his disappointment when the beau
tiful steamer, because Of lack 81 beam, was a
failure at the start, and referred 10 his ella
ton when, after "hipping" and lowering Of
boiler into the hold. sire was enab' cd TO "show
her heels" 10 the crack steamer Nara auset'
OF the ie tular line, the two vessels coming
through the Sound one night close by each
other with the flame from Virginia pine
actually blazing from their chimney t.ps. The
Boston, Benjamin Franklin, President and
Massachusetts, had two 'beam" zine work
ing independently, one working the startoard
wheel and the other the port wheel. In this
way the vessel could easily be turned on its
center, the wheels being run in opposite di
rectons. The bay steamer Roger williams
was very fast, sometimes running from Fox
point wharf. Providence. to Long wharf, New
port "a milos, in less than one hour and %
minutes. The distance is called 80. but only
"a. He spoke of the introduction 10 our
waters Of the screw propeller in the hull Of n
boat (Eudora), built in New York for freight
ing purposes by the Fall River Iron Works
Company. He saw her as she FIRST came by
our wharves early in June, 1874, 10 take the
King Philips place tor few weeks. Her
screws (twin) were Of Erics sons pattern and
her average speed about "a miles per hour.
Mr.. George II. Corliss, then ut the India point
shop, planned and constructed screws for her
which gave speed Of nine miles per hour. AT
that time the screw was looked upon as a
very proper thing for vessels requiring but lit
tie speed. In these times IL is the only pro-
peller relied upon for greatest speed, especial
ly In rough water and at sea-, Mr.. Carpenter
spoke OF the few steam engines then in opera.
tion AZ the various mechanical manufacturing
establishments in the city; of his great de-
light at seeing tho first locomotive in Provi.
dence at India Point, by the Seekonk route
from Boston, in May, 1885, Of very exciting
excursion Of his Sunday school by steamer 10
NufIIg pIONt, HbW NItHttHl fhrk, anu lanu
ing in the surf in barges in the sOs: OF the
lucky Bradford Dur co, 30 years in commits
sion, and of the burning of the Lexir on on
Long Island Sound on January - lSIu The
Lexington might have been saved had they
stopped her and thrown over the burning cot
trn bales, but instead they steamed for shore
and the draught destroyed her and many lives
Four were saved and two live in this city.
Mr. ta- I'll a. g,,,fr ld
with many historical facts and a comparison
Of the steam motive power of thS past and
present, and throughout was listened to with
the closest attention and pleasure
Mrs. Darling was then introduced and gave
very fine reading of a beautiful poem.
Captain Crowley, now 50 years old, was
then introduced. He was saved from the
burning Lexington a cotton bale, with
both hands and fest frozen. Ho gave a very
vivid account OF the startling events Of that
terrible steamer fire.
Mr.. Carpenter announced that Engineer
Smith of the Corlss Steam Works, one of the
four saved from the Lexington, would sp ak
at the next meeting. He made a motion, sec.
onded by Deacon Stone, that Captain Crow
ley and Engineer Smith be elected honorary
members, which was passed.
Secretary Cook moved a vote of thanks TO
Mr.. Carpenter and Mrs. Darling, which was
passed. b.
Providence, July g.