Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-03

by Cavta,n =. J. T. Fluidt Mr.. Lowe
claims that the beat will make forty
miles an hour, although this Is doubted
] by experts. The truth Of the matter VIII
be known. however, the middle or next
month for then the test Of speed viii be
made As the accompanying Illustration
indicates. the little craft Is oddly
shaped. The dweliers about the Great
Lakes who are familiar with the whale
back type OF boat viii at once notice the
resemblance. She is very like so far as
her hull is concerned, the Christopher
Columbus. the giant wha eback steamer
which. during the Columbian Exposition.
carried thousands Of persons TO ana fro
between Jackson Park and the FOOT o.
Van Buren, street, IN Chicago.
Her propeller looks not unlike
clam shell the two halves of which are
pivotod together at one end. a semi
circular slice being taken out of one
shell, close to the pivot. The two halves
OF the shell are placed almost end Tor
end. These apparent clam shells are
really TWO steel plates and experiment
has shown tat they cut the water with
the least resistance offered by any pro-
peuer ever made. The care which has
beer taken in the selection Of the very
best idea Is shown 10y the rejection OF
forty-nine propclers before Mr.. Lowe
accepted this one The width OF the
propeller Il three feet. Ii strikes the
water at the base and then AT the TOP
its .ocomotion being much after the
fashion Of the swimming of dolphin.
In fact. the whole boat is the reverse OF
the ordinary methods. as it goes through,
rather than over the seas.
SiXty-seyen feet from stem to keeison
does not give much room. certainly not
enough to swing the traditional cat. Yet
the saloon Of this little craft is IL feet
long and 4 II wide. There are three
state-roOms, quite rOOmy affairs. too, as
state-rooms go. very comfortably htted
up. according 10 the plans There are
hunks beside these. in which the mem
bers of the crew of five will sleep, if they
wish. At a pinch. tie boat can accom-
modate thirty persons. Her kitchen Is a
tiny affair. very Ike the oid-fashioned
cooks galley that is perched on the
main deck Of vessel The engine-room
is also on the Liiiputian order, for the
motor does not require deal OF ROOM
The motive power of the vessel Is de-
rived from gasoline. This IS another IN
stance where the ordinary methods are
reversed. Most people suppose That gas
oline is an exceedingly dangerous eX-
plosive, and that 10 explode II Is one OF
the easiest things in The world Inc eA-
perts who have been working with All.
Lowe find that boat propelled by
power emanating from gasoline is not as
likely 10 be the victim of accident as II
electricity was utilized. II Is held that
the danger resulting from a possible eX-
plosion IN gasoline is confined II GER
tain norton of the vessel. right near the
engine whereas, if electricity was the
source Of power, the whole vessel might
be disabled in manner the cause OF
which IL would he difficult TO ascertain
AIR. Lowe has been studying this pro-
blem OF speed for a good many years.
In fact ne made nineteen models OF the
invention before he found one Whlch ne
considered acceptable. He ho.ds there
Is no mystery about the craft Whatever
but that IL simply represents inc prac-
teal application Of scientific principle.
The whaleback represents one type the
submarine craft another; the most
modern steamships another MI. Lowe
has had The benefit Of all the ideas
erouped in these three classes. After long
suuy. he became of the opinion that
the inventor Of the whaleback had come
nearer TO the real principle sought III
navigation than any one e.se. the great
drawback to a nigh rate or speed py
vessels has been the resistance offered
IN the water. Instead or UTILIZING lhe
movement of the ocean or OF lakes ana
rivers. as means OF acce Grating speed
shp-builders have been forced TO con-
slider how much they could lessen the
resistance caused 10 "A vessel.
AS careful study OF the accompanying
picture will indicate, Mr.. Lowe has given
ample evidence OF his Partially 10 the
whaleback. And yet there is decidea
difference. The bow of Mr.. loves vessei
IS a trife sharper than that OF whh'e-
hack. There Is more OF a slope, upper
and lower. to IA centrifugal point, than III
the whaleback. The craft Is so con-
structed that the seas will not make her
urn turtle. should she get in the trough
thereof. Her peculiar shape is such tnat
great waves would slide over her IN.
stead OF breaking against her. She wouid
moi feel at any time that sudden step.
mage and check that the ordinary Nessei
Encounters when she meets head seas.
Tbe chances are, the experts say, tha'
MIR loves craft. so far without name.
Il going to be a world beater and break
all records.
There have been no startling announce