IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICKS AND HYDRAULICKS
Year: 1737

page_text: STEPHENSON'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
STEPHENSON, Master of Arts, send greeting.
WHEREAS our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God
of Great Britain, &c., had, by His Lotters Patent under His Great Seal of
Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventeenth day of June,
One thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven, in the eleventh year of His
reign, given and granted unto me, the said David Stephenson, my executors,
admors, and assigns, his especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
to make, use, exercise, and vend my new general method and Invention for
the "IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICKS AND HYDRAULICKS" in all the several cases
wherein the same is applicable, as is more particularly set forth in the Preamble
to the said Patent, to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said licence, powers,
privileges, and authority unto me, the said David Stephenson, my executors,
admiors, and assigns, for and during the term of fourteen years from the date
thereof, according to the Statute in such case made; in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso, that if I, the said David Stephenson,
should not particularly describe the nature and form of my said Invention by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same to be
inrolled in the High Court of Chancery within four calendar months next after
the date of the said Letters Patent, relation being thereunto had, may more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said David Stephenson, pursuant to the said
proviso, have described and ascertained the nature and form of my said
Invention to consist in manner following, that is to say :-

page_text: All that relates to the improvement of practical mechanicks may be reduced
under the three generall problems under mentioned :—
First general problem proposed to find out the best methods for generating
and producing motion, power, and force in bodies, and this problem admits of
three cases. First case proposes to find the best methods for generating
motion and force (de novo) in solid bodies. Second case consists in finding
out the best methods for generating power and motion in fluid bodies that were
before in a state of rest. Third case proposes to find out the best methods for
collecting and accumulating the motion and force of such bodies as are already
actually endowed with some certain degree of motion, whether the same be
derived from animals, as men, horses, or from inanimate beings, as the wind,
water, fire, &c.
Second general problem consists in diminishing the friction in machines.
Third general problem proposes to find out the best methods for the con-
struction of machines, so as to render the same capable of communicating the
action of the power to the resistance in the most commodious and direct
manner possible.
The method I propose for solving the first case is by having a strong vertical
axis of cast brass or iron, about the middle whereof is fixed a circular wooden
plain from three to sixty feet diameter, round the circumference whereof are
placed weights from one hundred pounds to one hundred tuns weight, or more;
to the bottom of the axis is fixt a cylinder of cast brass from one to six feet
diameter, which cylinder being turned and fitted to the bore of a cylindrick
vessell and filled with water, and having a communication by means of a small
pipe with another vessell, filled also with water, and elevated above the former
vessell from ten to a thousand feet. In this case the axis with the circular plain,
and all the weights placed thereon, will be raised up and kept suspended in a
pendulous manner by the pressure of the water from the upper vessell against
the bottom of the cylinder, whereupon the axis being truly centered at top and
bottom may now be easily put into a circular motion with all the weights
hanging thereon, somewhat resembling the fly of a jack; all which great
quantity of motion being now collected and accumulated into the axis may be
transferred from thence by means of wheels and chains, and communicated for
giving motion to all kind of machines, whither for raising water, coining
of money, and for striking impression and images upon metalick plates as
large as the life; as also for turning and boring of bodies either in brass, iron,
or wood, in a vertical position; and also for iron forges and copper battering
mills, and may be applyed to all engines of force, and for overcoming all
manner of resistances of what kind and how great soever, &c. The said first case

page_text: may also be solved by having a cylindrick wooden vessel, from five to fifteen or
twenty feet diameter, fixt upon the axis instead of the brass cylinder, which
vessell being immerged into a reservoir of water by the pressure of the water
against the bottom of the vessell, the axis will be raised up though loaded with
weights to the quantity of one hundred tuns or more. The said first case of
raising up the axis loaded with the weights above mentioned, and putting the
same into a circular motion, may also be effected by the pressure of mercury.
In the three solutions given above of the first case, the axis is supposed to
move round vertically; however, the said axis may be likewise placed in a
horizontal situation, and easily put into a circular motion though loaded with
fifty or one hundred tuns at each end, to which purpose about the middle of
the axis there must be fixt a large cylindrick wooden vessell, which being
immerged into another fixt vessell or cistern filled with water, by the pressure
whereof against the under side of the cylinder the axis with the two circular
plains, and all the weights hanging thereon, will become raised up and sus-
tained, &c.
:
The solutions given above to the first case relating to the raising up of
heavy bodies, and thereby putting them in a fitt state for having a circular
motion impressed thereon, will also serve for a solution of the second general
problem relating to the diminishing of friction in machines by the pressure
and interposition of fluids between such of the parts thereof wherein the
greatest friction and resistance to their motion consists, and, from the princi-
ples above laid down, I humbly propose a new method for the improvement
of clocks, whereby a more perfect account of time may be kept at sea, and
thereby serve for finding out the longitude. This may be effected by having
a metaline case or pipe for the pendulum to move in, which case being
exhausted of the air, and the upper end of the rod of the pendulum being fixt to
an horizontal axis supported between two brass cylinders swimming in two vessells
of quicksilver, by which contrivance the irregularityes produced in the motion
of the pendulum occasioned either from its friction upon the center of suspen-
sion, or from the resistance of the air, or from the different influences which
heat and cold have thereon, together with the different impressions the same
receives from the force of gravity and the centrifugal force of the earth, upon their
being carried into different latitudes, become all in a great measure remedied
hereby. Upon the same principles, also, of suspending heavy bodies by the
pressure of fluids, such as mercury, the mariner's compass may be improved
by having the same made much larger, namely, from one to three feet diameter,
whereby the ship's course may be much better found and consequently contri-
tribute towards keeping a more correct journal and reckoning of the ship's

page_text: voyage at sea. Upon the same principals, also, instruments for taking astrono-
mical observations may be improved by having two indexes, one for to shew the
degrees, and the other to shew the minutes and seconds; thus to the index
shewing the degrees there is an axis with a wheel and one hundred teeth,
which wheel takes into a pinion of five teeth to the axis, of which pinion there
is a wheel with ninety teeth, which takes into a pinion and five teeth; upon the
axis of this last pinion is fixt the index for shewing the minutes. Each index
has a brass plate. The limb of the first plate is divided into three hundred and
sixty equal parts or degrees, and the limb of the second plate is divided into sixty
equal parts or minutes, and each of those parts may be subdivided into sixty
other parts, serving to mark the seconds, so that whilst the index marking the
legrees moves only the space of one degree the other index noting the
minutes will have made one compleat revolution quite round the plate wherein
the seconds are represented, &c. Upon the principles aforesaid instruments for
taking of levells may also be improved and fitted, not only for that purpose
but likewise for putting all manner of objects in perspective, according to the
greatest truth and exactness, and with great expedition. Morcover, upon the
same principles already laid down, the balance and steelyard may also be im-
proved and rendered more exact by keeping the same suspended by the pressure
of mercury; from which method may be derived a new way for finding the
weights of bodies by having a cylindrical vessell immerged into a vessel of quick-
silver, to which cylindrical vessell there must be fixt a strong iron rod to which the
bodies to be weighed are fixt, which bodies drawing down the cylinder into the
mercury causes the same to rise up in a diagonal tube proceeding from the
bottom of the quicksilver vessell in proportion to the weight of the said bodic,
which diagonal tube having a scale properly divided and affixt thereto will
serve for to shew the weights of the several bodies under examination. By
the principles before laid down, a method has been shewn how very heavy solid
bodies may be put into a circular motion whereby they will acquire a centri-
fugal force, which force I propose may be collected and condensed into a
moveable central bodie, rising and falling perpendicularly in the axis of the
moving bodies, which central bodie in its motion upwards or downwards may
serve to give motion to any machine, either for raising water, &c.
I shall proceed next to give a solution to the second case relating to the
generation of motion, power, and force in fluid bodies. This I propose to
perform by having a large circular vessell of copper, tin, or wood, consisting of
a bottom and two upright concentrical sides, which may be from ten to sixty
fect diameter, which vessell being filled with water and fixt upon a vertical
axis, the said axis with the vessell of water may be lifted up and sustained by

page_text: the pressure either of water or mercury (as had been already explained in the
solution of the first case); in this case the axis and water vessell may be easily
put into a circular motion. Round the outer side of the moveable water vessell
thero may be placed several vertical water wheels from five to thirty feet
diameter, the palletts upon the under side whereof dipping into the water in
the circular vessell will by the impulse thereof be made to turn round upon
their axes lying in a horizontal position, which water wheels may be applyed
either for raising water, grinding corn, or for the manufacture of all works in
iron, copper, lead, &c. Upon the aforesaid principles of putting fluid bodies into
a circular motion, the same will besides acquire a centrifugal force, which force
I propose may bo applyed for producing a vacuum within a large cylindrical
barrel of cast brass or iron from two to six feet diameter and from three to
ten feet high, by which means a great power may be gained from the alternate
pressure of atmosphere, which power may be variously applyed either for
raising water, &c.
I come, in the next place, to propose a solution of the third case, and shall
begin with shewing a method how the motion and force of the wind may be
collected and accumulated, which I propose may be effected by having a ver-
tical axis of wood or cast iron from ten to fifty feet high, furnished either with
four or six sails, which sails may be from five to twenty feet broad; which
sails may be made to open outwards from the body of the axis in moving round
along with the wind, and to shut or furle inwards close to the bodie of the
axis in moving round against the wind; or the said sails may be made to turn
round, upon horizontal axes, by which means the same will be presented either
with their broad sides or edgewise to the wind, according as the move either
with or against the same. The axis, with all its furniture of sails, I propose shall
be raised up and suspended by the pressure of water or quicksilver (in the
manner already described in the solutions given of the first case), as those
machines will serve for collecting the force of the wind in much greater quan-
tityes than any other wind engines, consequently their operations and efferts
will be of much greater and more general use; besides the force that is pro-
duced by the impulse of the wind upon the vertical sails of the machine, there
is another power and force that will be gained thereby from the principles
already described for putting heavy bodies in motion, &c.
I shall, in the next place, proceed to describe some methods whereby the
force of running water may be collected and applyed. The first method I pro-
pose for this purpose is by having a large horizontal water-wheel-from ten to fifty
feet diameter, and from two to fifteen feet deep, turning round upon a vertical
axis placed in the middle between two piers; upon each side of the wheel

page_text: is placed a moveable floodgate or sluice, one of which joyns close to the
periphory of the wheel, and the other stands open to a proper distance there-
from. This water wheel is to be all immerged under water, yet nevertheless by
means of the said two floodgates the water is so commanded and directed upon
the palletts of the wheel as to cause the same to turn always round one way,
even though the water in the channel should run contrary ways, as the force
produced by the impulse of the water against the palletts of such a water
wheel will be very great, so the same may be universally applyed either for
raising water or giving motion to any engine whatever. The palletts or floats
of the said water wheel are to be fixt upon the outer orbit of the wheel.
Another such water wheel that shall always move round, though wholly
immerged under water, may be constructed with moveable pallets or floats in
suchwise as to open outwards from the body of the wheel in moving along
with the current, or to shut inwards close to the circumference of the wheel
in moving round against tho stream, &c. Besides the force that is gained
from the impulse of the water against the floats of such a water wheel, there
is another power and force may be gained thereby from the principles already
described, case tho first, concerning the reducing of heavy bodies into a state
of motion, &c.
Another method whereby the force of running water may be collected in
great quantitys is by having a long vessell constructed like to a west country
barge, by placing one or two horizontal axes across the gunnels thercof, cach
axis being furnished with two large water wheels diping into the water upon
each side of the vessell, by the impulse of the water against the pallets of
which wheels a very great power may be gained, and according to this method
a great number of such machines may be erected upon any river or channel
where there is a current, and usefully applyed either for raming water,
grinding corn, or for the manufactures of iron, copper, lead, and all other
commodities.
Another method whereby the force of running water may be collected in great
quantities is, by having two large wallowers, from ten to thirty feet diameter,
fixt upon two horizontal axes, round which wallowers there passes one, two,
three or four chains, to which chains are fixt several pallets, by the impulse of
the water against which the two wallowers with their axes will be made to turn
round, or the said two wallowers inay be fixt upon two vertical axes, and made to
turn round horizontally, the same being all immerged under water; but in
this case the pallets must be made moveable in such wise as to stand with their
edge at right angles with the chains in moving with the current, but to lye
flat upon the chains as they move against the stream, &c.

page_text: Another method for collecting the force of running water is by having two
oblong vessels from ten to sixty feet long, the cavity whereof may be from three
to six feet wide, and from three to fifteen feet deep lengthwise, within which
cavity are fixt several upright boards or pallets; each of the said two vessells
is to have a moveable port or sluice upon one end thereof for to shut or open
the cavity of the said vessells, whereby the water may be either let act upon
the pallets, or kept from acting thereon alternately; to the fore part of each
vessell is fixt a strong chain, which chain being passed several times round a large
horizontal wallower will serve to give an alternate motion thereto, the axis of
which wallower having all the motion impressed upon the pallets of the two
vessells collected and condensed into itself, the same may be applyed either for
raising water or for overcoming any resistance whatsoever, &c.
I come now, in the next place, to the second part of my Invention relating
to hydraulicks; besides the methods already laid down for this purpose, I shall
come now to describe some other particular methods.
The first method I propose is grounded on the laws and principles of a cir-
cular motion and centrifugal force, to which purpose there must be a large
cylindrick wooden vessell from five to ten feet diameter, in the middle of which
vessell there is fixt a vertical axis, with several large pipes from six to twelve
inches diameter, which pipes flanch on the inside of the bottom of the vessell
and are inclined to the horizon in an angle between forty-five and sixty degrees,
which vessell being supplied with water from some river the water will enter
out of the vessell into the pipes, or if the vessell is immerged into a reservoir
filled with water, in which case the pipes may be supplied with water, which may
enter into the said pipes out of the reservoir through holes made in the bottom
of the vessell answering the holes or bores of the pipes; the said vessell, with
the axis and pipes may be all raised up and sustained by the pressure either of
water or mercury (as has been already explained in the solution of the first
case); upon putting the axis with the vessell and water pipes into a circular
motion, the water thereupon acquiring a centrifugal force will be thereby
sollicited and made to ascend up within the inclined pipes until it comes to the
upper orifice thereof, where it will be ejected in a constant stream. According
to this method water may be raised with one such engine alone in very great
quantityes to about the height of ten or fifteen feet, and as such may be of
great use for draining ponds, marshes, and overflowed lands, &c., and by
multiplying the number of the engines water may be raised thereby, both
in large quantitys and to great heights, &c.
Another method I propose for raising water is by means of a spiral pipe or
tube carried round a vertical axis with several convolutions, each revolution of

page_text: the pipe enlarging as it ascends upwards, as if the pipe was carryed round the
body of a truncated cone, with its apex inverted, which axis with the spiral
pipe being fixt into a cylindrick wooden vessell supplyed with water from some
river or reservoir, and the whole machine being suspended and lifted up by
the pressure either of water or mercury (in the manner before explained);
upon putting the same into a circular motion, the water contained in the lower
part of the spiral pipe having a centrifugal force impressed thereon will be
thereby determined and made to ascend upwards through the several spiral
convolutions of the pipe until it comes to the upper orifice thereof, where it
will flow forth in a constant stream. By one such engine water may be raised
in large quantities to about the height of ten or fifteen feet, and as such may be
of great use for draining of marshes and low overflowed ground, as also for
exhibiting a delightful scene of pleasure waterworks, the chief beauty whereof
is that the whole system of ejecting pipes will be all seen in actual motion,
but by multiplying the number of the said engines water may be raised thereby,
both in large quantities and to great heights, &c.
I shall proceed, in the next place, to describe some new hydraulick machines
applicable for raising water in large quantities and to great heights, and are
equally of use for that purpose on board of ships as well by land.
The first sort of engine consists of one large barrel, either of cast brass or
iron, from two to six feet diameter, and about the same depth; to this barrel
there belongs a strong vertical axis of cast brass or iron, with a circular plate
cast upon the body thereof, which plate is to be turned to fitt the bore of the
barrell. In this circular plate are two slitts for two plates of cast brass, &c.,
to rise and fall perpendicularly in the axis, and circular plate in moving round
within the barrel carry the said two plates or forcers round with them, one of
which two forcers being immerged into the barrell in moving round sweeps all
the water in the barrel before it, which, finding no other way to escape, is
thrown into the force pipe, through which it is conveyed where wanted. These
two forcers, by relieving each other alternately, cause the water to issue out
at the force pipe in a constant stream, which engine both sucks and forces
the water without the use of any valves. Moreover, when this machine is
used either for domestick uses or on board of ships, the same are contrived for
giving the greatest releife and security possible against accidental fires, which
is performed without loss of time by fixing on a plate, with several largo
leather pipes or hoses to the orifice of the force pipe, &c.
A second sort of hydraulick engine I propose consists of one large barrel,
such as the first, with a vertical axis and circular plate turned to the bore of
the barrel, which circular plate is made to fix on or take off from the axis as

page_text: there is occasion. The two forcers, which may be two broad plates of metal,
are to be fixt on to the body of the axis, and within the barrel there is placed
a moving vertical floodgate or sluice, which sluice stops the water as it is
brought forwards by the circular motion of the forcer, and directs it into the
force pipe; as soon as the forcer comes to apply itself to the floodgate the
same immediately gives away, and swinging backward, permits the forcer to
pass by, upon which it returns back into its former place again, and thus the
two forcers by moving constantly round within the barrel and releiving ench
other successively causes the water to issue out of the force pipe in a constant
stream; this engine also sucks and forces the water without the use of any
valves, &c.
Athird kind of hydraulick machine consists of a barrel of the same dimensions
as the first, with a vertical axis and circular plate, underneath which plate there is
fixt upon the axis a cylinder of brass or wood. The two forcers in this machine
consist of two broad plates fixt to two vertical axes, which turn round in such
a manner as to place the forcers either at right angles to the cylinder, or to
bring them inwards and lodge them in an opening made in the side of the
cylinder for that purpose; those two forcers, by moving round within the barrel
along with the principal axis and relieving each other alternately, cause
the water to be discharged through the force pipe with a constant stream;
which machine operates by suction and by forcing without the use of any
valves.
A fourth kind of hydraulick machine I propose consists of two such
cylindrick barrells of the same dimensions as the first. Each engine barrel is
provided with one vertical axis, with a circulate plate turned to the bar of the
barrel, and one forcer to each barrel; the two axes with their forcers move
round with a reciprocal contrary motion to each other within their respective
barrels, whereby the water is discharged in a constant stream through the
force pipe and without the use of any valves, &c.
In all the four sorts of hydraulick engines above described the barrels stand
erect, and the axes move round vertically therein; however, the said engine
barrels with their axes may be placed in a horizontal situation, in which case
those engines when used for raising water by land will require only one half of
the barrel, and when used on board of ships one fourth part of the barrel will
be sufficient; in the first case, when used by land, the axis with two forcers
move round horizontally within the semi-cylindrical barrel, and in the latter
case, when used for ships, the axis with four forcers turn round only within a
quarter part of the barrel, causing the water in both cases to issue out of the
force pipe with a constant stream and without the use of valves.

page_text: Another sort of hydraulick machine which I propose consists of one principal
axis, upon which is fixt two wooden cylinders, from three to ten feet diameter
and from one to six feet thick; upon the outer edge of each cylinder there is fixt
a broad flat plate or forcer; each cylinder with its forcer is fitted to move round
in a semi-cylindrical vessell when used for raising water by land, but on board
of ships one fourth part of the barrel will be sufficient. The axis with the two
cylinders and two forcers, have a reciprocal alternate motion backwards and
forwards within their respective vessells. The forcer next to the forco pipe
must have a motion outwards and inwards to and from the body of the cylinder,
but the other forcer next the sucking pipe may be either fixt or moveable as
the other. This machine discharges the water, also, in a constant stream and
without any valves, &c.
I como now to shew the construction of some hydraulick machines wherein
the use of valves are required, but not so many as in the common way. The
first of which engines consists of one large barrel of cast brass or iron from
two to six feet diameter and of a like depth; to this barrel there is fitted a
vertical axis, to which axis there is fitted a circular plate equal in diameter to
the bore of the barrel; this plate is made for to fix on higher or lower upon
the axis; upon the body of the axis is fixt a broad plate or forcer, which forcer
has an alternate motion forwards and backwards along with the axis, whereby
it sweeps all the water in the barrel first upon one side and then upon tho
other side into the force pipe, through which it is discharged in a constant
stream by making use only of two valves, whereas there would be four such
valves required the common way, &c.
A second hydraulick engine which I propose consists of two cylindrick
barrels of cast brass or iron from two to five feet diameter in the bore and
from three to ten feet in length. To each barrel thero is fitted a circular
brass plate or forcer, which are made to move up and down perpendicularly
within their respective barrels by means of iron rods fixt to each forcer; in tho
middle of that forcer next to the force pipe, there is a hole with a valve thereto,
and upon the bottom of either of the two barrels the sucking pipe may be
engrafted, having a valve fitted to the orrifice thereof; as the two pistons or
forcers move together downwards within their proper harrels, the water in the
barrels is thrown through the hole in that forcer next the force pipe into which
it is discharged, and as the two pistons or forcers move upwards the valve S
upon the forcer shuts and carrys all the water in the barrel up before it into
the force pipe, at which time the valve of the sucking pipe is open for to let in
a fresh supply of water to fill the barrel, and thus the two forcers by the
alternate motion whereof upwards and downwards cause the water to flow out

page_text: at the force pipe with a constant stream. It is here to be observed in general,
with respect to all the hydraulick engines before described, that the same
may be fitted for discharging greater or lesser quantityes of water without
changing either the velocity of the power or of the machine, which is a pro-
perty peculiar to those engines and to no other of what kind soever, &c.
The method I propose for applying the power for working any of the
engines above described when used on board of ships either for discharging
of water or extinguishing of accidental fires, is either, first, by means of cap-
stanes worked with leavers or capstane barrs; or, secondly, by capstanes work'd
with wheels in which are grooves with running chains filled thereto; or, thirdly,
by chains passing from a wheel fixt upon the axis of the engine, which chains
being carryed upwards, are properly distributed fore and abaft upon the several
decks by means of vertical and horizontal pulleys fixt in proper places upon
the ship's decks and sides for that purpose; to cach chain there may be two
setts of men applyed pulling contrarywise to each other, so that according
to this method there may be from twenty to two or three hundred men applyed
for working the engine, just as there is occasion, &c.
The said engines above described, when used by land for raising of water for
domestick uses or for extinguishing of accidental fires, may also be worked by
capstanes and capstane barrs, or by means of a wheel fixt upon the axis of the
machine, which wheel is to have one, two, three, or four groves with a running
chain to each groove at the further end of each chain, and in the duplicaturo
thereof is a horizontal pulley, the blocks of which pulleys are either to be
made fast with ropes tied round posts, or the said ropes may be held fast by
men. To each chain there may be applyed two setts of hands, drawing with
a contrary direction to cach other, according to which method there may be
from one to five hundred men applyed for working the engine, so that, sup-
posing such an engine to be erected in the middle of any large square of
building where there is a fountain or reservoir of water (such as St. James
or other the like squares in and about London), such an engine, by reason of
the great power that can be applied thereto and the great quantity of water
that can be raised and forced thereby, will be able to throw the water in such
plenty and with such rapidity through proper pipes to all parts of the square
as will be sufficient to subdue any accidental fire that can happen, &c. Any
of the engines above described may be worked also with horses, &c. All the
engines above described may have any of the general powers above described
applyed for working the same, such as the powers produced from putting bodies
whether solid or fluid into a state of motion, as also the powers produced from
tho centrifugal force both of solid and fluid bodies, together with all the

page_text: several methods laid down for collecting the power and force of the
wind and water, &c. Thus, for instance, the water wheel first described
above may be applyed for working any one of the hydraulick machines
before described, either by means of a wheel with a groove and running
chain, or by means of a cog wheel fixt upon the axis of the water
wheel; which cog wheel is to be fitted to a wallower or trundle wheel
fixt upon the axis of the hydraulick machine; and, in order to dispenco
the water equally to several places, the water may be first raised and
thrown up by the engine into a reservoir elevated at a proper height nigh the
engine, the inside of which reservoir is to have so many partitions fixt therein
as there are districts or places to be supplyed, by which means cach division
and district will have the water equally dispensed thereto and without
waste, &c.
I come now, in the next place, a new method for improving the chain pump,
by having it consist of one strong horizontal axis of cast brass or iron, upon
which axis there may be placed several pump wheels with chains, from one to
ten in number, any number of which pumps, though all placed upon the same
axis, may nevertheless bo worked separately and independently of the rest.
The methods I propose for applying the power thereto is either, first, by cap-
stanes worked with leavers; or, secondly, by capstanes worked with wheels in
which are two grooves, with two running chains to cach wheel; or, thirdly, by
micans of chains coming round a wheel with grooves therein tixt upon each
end of the axis of the pump, which chains, being carryed upwards, arc, by the
direction of pulleys placed in proper places, distributed fore and abaft upon the
several decks, as has been before described, &c.
The mechanical organ of greatest use on board of ships, next to the pump,
is the capstane. I shall here propose a new method for the construction
thereof, and for applying the power thereto, to which purpose I propose for to
have the said capstancs made of cast brass or iron, and fitted to the several
decks of the ship in such a manner as to be sett up and taken down at
pleasure without loss of time, by which contrivance all the room where the
capstanes stand will become saved, excepting just for the time that the same
are in use, which capstanes I propose for to apply the power thereto by having
a wheel with a double groove and running chain thereto fixt upon the axis of
cach capstane by which means there may be from fifty to one hundred men
applyed to each capstane, &c.
I come now, in the last place, to describe a new method whereby the action
and momentum of any power or agent may be propagated to any reasonable
distance from the place where the power acts, either perpendicularly up-

page_text: wards or downwards, or horrizontaly, and communicated without any dimi-
nution for giving motion to any machine without making use of any rope,
chain, wheel, or the interposition of any solid body between the power
and the machine. This problem. I propose. may-be effected by means of
two equal barrels of cast brass or iron from three to six feet diameter
and of a like depth, which barrels suppose to be placed at one thousand yards
distance from each other, either perpendicularly, upwards or downwards, or
horizontally. The two barrels communicate with each other by two equal and
paralel pipes ingrafted on to the bottom of each barrel. To each barrel there
belongs an axis with a wheel and running chain. Each axis is provided with
one broad forcing plate. If now any power be applyed, either men, horses,,
wind, water, &c., to turn round the axis of one of those barrels, the whole force
and intensity of the power will be communicated to the axis of the other
barrel by means of the two fluid collums of water contained in the two com-
municating pipes, which water is made to circulate reciprocally between the
two barrels by the alternate motion of the two axes and their forcers, so that
the axis of the last barrel may be applyed either for raising of water or for
overcoming of any resistance, in the same manner as if the power had been
immediately applyed thereto, which method may be of great use in raising of
water out of very deep mines, where there may not be room convenient for
crecting an engine or of applying the power thereto at the bottom of the mine,
but according to this method the power may be applyed for working the
engine above ground, &c.
As to the solution of the third general problem relating to the construc-
tion of machines, having already throughout this description laid down severul
principles according to which machines may be constructed much larger and
less subject to friction, &c., I must, to avoid repetition, refer thereto. And
for further demonstration of the truth of the several methods, practices,
inventions, and machines above described, having prepared proper draughts
and models thereof, I humbly referr for further satisfaction, &c.
°
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day
of October, in the eleventh year of His said Majesty's reign, and in
the year of our Lord Christ One thousand seven hundred and thirty-

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the above said Third day of October
the before named David Stephenson came before our Lord the King in His
Chancery, and acknowledged the above said writing, and all and every thing
therein contained and specified, in forme above said. And also the said writing
was stampt according to the form of the Statute made and provided in the 5
sixth year of the reign of King William and Queen Mary, and so forth.
Inrolled the Fifth day of October, in the year above said.