Year: 1866

From tho Baltimore Gazette. April 20.


Several years ago, when Mr.. Thomas
Winans projected his wonderful cigar
ship, the attention of the maritime
world was excited for the result of his
invention, which he Is still prosecu-
ting. But before that is perfected an
Other invention has been given to the
world by MIR. Geo. f.. Snyder, of this
city, which promises to be still great
er wonder than anything that has yet
appeared upon the face of the waters,
not excepting even the application Of
steam by Robert Fulton, for the propul-
sion of vessels. The vessel invented by
MIR. Snyder is cylinder, and has ro-
tary motion. A working model of the
vessel is now lying at the shlpyard of
Messrs. Brewster Il Potter, at Canton,
and the trials made with her have been
entirely satisfactory, speed Of six miles
an hour having been made by hand
power. AS stated before, the vessel is a
cylinder, through the center of which
passes a shaft, which Is stationary, and
supports the decks for freight, passcn-
gers and machinery, and which remain
In the same position, whatever may be
the motion of the ship. In the working
model there Is a cog wheel in the center
of the lower interior surface, working
into cog which entirely belts the inte-
rior, and is the motive power propelling
! the rotary progress through the water.
1t is now designed to build vessel of
| forty feet diameter, into which will be
placed two steam engines of fifty horse
power each, and with that it is expect
ed to make u speed of from forty to fifty
miles an hour. That vessel will draw
when lying still, not more than ten or
t,x... ,.I n
will be reduced when the machinery il
put in motion. On the outside surface
will be paddles set two feet apart, beside
which there will be four kcels, one at
each end and two in the center. These
kcels are intended to prevent the vessel
from drifting in time of high wind, and
to protect the paddle in the event that
she should strike upon the bottom.--
The new revolver" as the style Of ves-
sci has been called, will be of three hun
dred tons burden, and beside freight
Will have capacity for about three to
four hundred passengers. Her steering
apparatus consists Of Il small incloseu
boat, the bow of which is worked by
pullies attached to the two beams run
ming from the center shaft around to
one side, or the stern of the ship, and il
is claimed that she can be turned in the
space occupied Dy hef length IN the wa
ter. A number of gentlemen of this
city have taken hold of the thing and
will push the new vessel to completion,
so that she may be ready to make tri-
al trip on the 4th of July next. A model
of the new wonder is at the office OF
John 8. Selby, No. II, Second street


where ii may be seen by those who feel
an interest in the advancing science OF
| the age. The small draft of water will
render the vessel, if successful, of meal
culable value for the navigation of the
rivers which penetrate the heart of the
great West, while its speed far outstrips
that of any other ship. The same prin-
ciple may be applied to land vehicles on
ordinary roads, and may be guided as
easily as those drawn by horses. Some
prominent engineers who have examin-
ed the principle declared it feasible, and
much curious desire will await the adj
vent of the new vessel in the Patapsco.