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The Steam Engine
Explained and Illustrated

WATT.

Engraved by H. Adlard, from a Drawing by H. Corbould,
taken with the permission of James Watt, Esq.

FROM THE STATUE BY CHANTREY.

London: Taylor & Walton, Upper Gower Street.

THE

STEAM ENGINE

EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED;

WITH
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS INVENTION AND PROGRESSIVE
IMPROVEMENT,

AND ITS APPLICATION TO

NAVIGATION AND RAILWAYS;

INCLUDING ALSO

A Memoir of Watt.

DIONYSIUS LARDNER, D.C.L. F.R.S.
&c. &c.

SEVENTH EDITION,

ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR TAYLOR AND WALTON,

28. UPPER GOWER STREET.

MDCCCXL.

London:

Printed by A. Spottiswoode,

New-Street-Square.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

HENRY LORD BROUGHAM AND VAUX,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY,

AND

MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE,

AS A MARK OF PUBLIC RESPECT

AND

A TESTIMONY OF PRIVATE REGARD,

THIS WORK

INSCRIBED, BY HIS ATTACHED FRIEND,

THE AUTHOR.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Drawings for several of the Cuts in this Volume have been taken, by the permission of Mr. Weale, from the admirable Plates annexed to the last edition of Tredgold on the Steam Engine and on Steam Navigation. This acknowledgment is especially due for the Illustrations which abound in this Volume.

London, June, 1840.

LONDON ENTRANCE TO THE BIRMINGHAM RAIL-ROAD.

[CONTENTS.]

[CHAPTER I.]
PRELIMINARY MATTER.
The Steam Engine, a Subject of popular Interest [4]
Effects of Steam [5]
Great Power of Steam [7]
Object of this Work [9]
Disputes respecting the Invention [11]
Hero of Alexandria's Machine [13]
Blasco De Garay's Proposition to propel Vessels by a Machine [16]
Solomon De Caus [17]
Giovanni Branca proposes to work Mills by Steam [22]
Marquis of Worcester [23]
Mechanical Properties of Fluids [25]
Elastic and Inelastic Fluids [25]
Elasticity of Gases [28]
Effects of Heat [29]
Application of these Principles to the Engines of Hero, De Caus, and Lord Worcester [30]
Sir Samuel Morland [34]
Denis Papin [36]
Atmospheric Pressure [38]
Weight of Air [39]
Pressure of Air [41]
Barometer [41]
Elastic Force of Air and Gases [42]
Force obtained by a Vacuum [43]
Common Pump [43]
Rarefaction by Heat [44]
Process of filling Thermometers [44]
Papin's Method of producing a Vacuum [44]
His Discovery of the Condensation of Steam [45]
Thomas Savery [47]
[CHAP. II.]
ENGINES OF SAVERY AND NEWCOMEN.
Savery's Engine [49]
Boilers and their Appendages [50]
Working Apparatus described [51]
Mode of Operation [52]
Defects of Savery's Engine [58]
Newcomen's Engine described by Papin [62]
Newcomen and Cawley obtain a Patent for Atmospheric Engine [65]
Accidental Discovery of Condensation by Injection [69]
Potter's Discovery of the Method of working the Valves [71]
His Contrivance improved by the Substitution of a Plug Frame [72]
Advantages of the Atmospheric Engine over that of Savery [72]
The Power of Savery's Engine restricted [73]
It contained no new Principle [73]
Its practical Superiority [73]
[CHAP. III.]
EARLY CAREER AND DISCOVERIES OF JAMES WATT.
Atmospheric Engine improved by Beighton [75]
Smeaton's Improvements in the Atmospheric Engine [76]
Brindley obtains a Patent for Improvement in [76]
Invents the Self-regulating Feeder [76]
Infancy of James Watt [77]
His Descent and Parentage [77]
Anecdotes of his Boyhood [78]
His early Acquirements [79]
Goes to London [80]
Returns to Glasgow [80]
Appointed Instrument-maker to the University [81]
Opens a Shop in Glasgow [81]
His Friends and Patrons [81]
Professor Robison's Remarks on Watt's personal Character [82]
His industrious and studious Habits [82]
His Attention first directed to Steam [83]
Experiments on High-pressure Engine [83]
Repairs an Atmospheric Model [84]
Experimental Inquiry consequent on this [84]
Its Results [84]
Observes great Defects in the Atmospheric Engine [85]
His first Attempt to improve it [85]
His early Experiments on Steam [87]
Discovery by Experiment of the Expansion which Water undergoes in Evaporation [90]
Discovers the latent Heat of Steam [91]
Informed by Dr. Black of the Theory of latent Heat [93]
His Improvement not due to Black [93]
[CHAP. IV.]
EXPOSITION OF PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES.
Construction of Thermometer [98]
Method of graduating it [99]
Freezing and boiling Points [99]
Latent Heat of Water [101]
Quantity of Heat necessary to convert Ice into Water, first noticed by Dr. Black [101]
Examination of the analogous Effects produced by the continued Application of Heat to Water in the liquid State [102]
Process of Boiling [104]
Reconversion of Steam into Water [104]
Conversion of Water into Steam [105]
Latent Heat of Steam [107]
Boiling Point varies [108]
Different in different Places [109]
Inquiry whether a Diminution of Pressure will produce a corresponding Effect on the boiling Point [112]
Table showing the Temperature at which Water will boil under different Pressures of the Atmosphere [113]
Mechanical Force of Steam [115]
Facts to be observed in [117]
[CHAP. V.]
FURTHER DISCOVERIES OF WATT.
Watt finds that Condensation in the Cylinder is incompatible with a due Economy of Fuel [119]
Conceives the Notion of condensing out of the Cylinder [120]
Discovers separate Condensation [121]
Invents the Air Pump [123]
Substitutes Steam Pressure for Atmospheric Pressure [123]
Invents the Steam Case, or Jacket [124]
His first Experiments to realise these Inventions [125]
His experimental Apparatus [125]
His experimental Models fitted up at Delft House, in Glasgow [128]
Difficulties of bringing the improved Engines into Use [129]
Watt first employed by Roebuck as a Civil Engineer [130]
His Partnership with Roebuck [130]
His first Patent [130]
Experimental Engine at Kinneal [131]
Abstract of the Act of Parliament for the Extension of his Patent [132]
Description of his single-acting Steam Engine [133]
[CHAP. VI.]
WATT'S ENGINES.
Correspondence of Watt with Smeaton [145]
Failure of Condensation by Surface [146]
Improvements in Construction of Piston [147]
Method of Packing [148]
Improvements in boring the Cylinder [149]
Disadvantages of the new compared with the old Engines [150]
Greatly increased Economy of Fuel [150]
Economy of the Engine [151]
Expedients to force the new Engines into Use [151]
Correspondence of Boulton [153]
Correspondence with Smeaton [155]
Efficiency of Fuel in the new Engines [156]
Discovery of the expansive Action of Steam [157]
Watt states it in a Letter to Dr. Small [157]
Its Principle explained [158]
Mechanical Effects resulting from it [162]
Computed Effect of cutting off Steam at different Portions of the Stroke [163]
Produces a variable Power [163]
Expedients for equalising the Power [164]
Expansive Principle in Watt's Engines limited [165]
Its more extensive Application in the Cornish Engines [165]
[CHAP. VII.]
DOUBLE-ACTING ENGINE.
Common Steam [168]
Superheated Steam [170]
Laws of Dalton and Gay Lussac [171]
Law of Mariotte [171]
Relation between Temperature and Pressure of common Steam [171]
Effects of the Expansion of common Steam [173]
Mechanical Effects of Steam [173]
Method of equalising the expansive Force [174]
Hornblower's Engine [175]
Woolf's Engine [176]
Watt's Attempts to extend the Steam Engine to Manufactures [178]
Papin's projected Applications of the Steam Engine [178]
Savery's Application of the Engine to move Machinery [180]
Jonathan Hull's Application to Water Wheels [180]
Champion of Bristol applies the Atmospheric Engine to raise Water [181]
Stewart's Application of the Engine to Mill-work [182]
Wasbrough's Application of the Fly-wheel and Crank [183]
Reasons why Watt's single-acting Steam Engine was not adapted to produce continuous uniform Motion of Rotation [184]
Watt's Second Patent [186]
Sun-and-Planet Wheels [187]
Valves of double-acting Engine [189]
[CHAP. VIII.]
DOUBLE-ACTING ENGINE.
Methods of connecting the Piston-rod and Beam in the double-acting Engine [193]
Rack and Sector [194]
Parallel Motion [195]
Connection of Piston-rod and Beam [195]
Connecting Rod and Crank [203]
Fly-wheel [205]
Throttle-valve [207]
Governor [209]
Construction and Operation of the double-acting Engine [216]
Eccentric [225]
Cocks and Valves [227]
Single-clack Valves [227]
Double-clack Valves [228]
Conical Valves [228]
Slide Valves [229]
Murray's Slides [229]
D Valves [230]
Seaward's Slides [235]
Single Cock [238]
Two-way Cock [239]
Four-way Cock [239]
Pistons [242]
Common hemp-packed Piston [242]
Woolf's Piston [243]
Metallic Pistons [244]
Cartwright's Engine [245]
Cartwright's Piston [247]
Barton's Piston [248]
[CHAP. IX.]
BOILERS AND FURNACES.
Analysis of Coal [252]
Process of Combustion [253]
Heat evolved in it [254]
Form and Structure of Boiler [255]
Waggon Boiler [255]
Furnace [256]
Method of feeding it [257]
Combustion of Gas in Flues [260]
Williams's Patent for Method of consuming unburned Gases [260]
Construction of Grate and Ash-pit [261]
Magnitude of heating Surface of Boiler [262]
Steam-space and Water-space in Boiler [263]
Position of Flues [264]
Method of feeding Boiler [265]
Method of indicating the Level of Water in Boiler [266]
Level Gauges [266]
Self-regulating Feeders [267]
Steam Gauge [270]
Barometer Gauge [272]
Watt's Invention of the Indicator [274]
Counter [278]
Safety-valve [279]
Fusible Plugs [280]
Self-regulating Damper [281]
Brunton's Self-regulating Furnace [283]
Gross and useful Effect of an Engine [285]
Power and Duty of Engines [287]
Horse-power of Steam Engines [289]
Evaporation proportional to Horse-power [290]
Sources of Loss of Power [292]
Absence of good practical Rules for Power [292]
Common Rules followed by Engine-makers [292]
Duty distinguished from Power [294]
Duty of Boilers [294]
Proportion of Stroke to Diameter of Cylinder [295]
Duty of Engines [296]
Cornish System of Inspection [297]
Table showing the Improvement of Cornish Engines [298]
Beneficial Effects of Cornish Inspection [299]
Successive Improvements on which the increased Duty of Engines depends, traced by John Taylor in his "Records of Mining" [299]
[CHAP. X.]
LIFE OF WATT.
Watt's Friends and Associates at Birmingham [302]
His Invention of the Copying Press [302]
Heating Apartments and Buildings by Steam [303]
Watt's Machine for drying Linen [303]
His Share in the Discovery of the Composition of Water [303]
The Merit of this Discovery shared between Cavendish, Lavoisier, and Watt [305]
Anecdote of Watt's Activity of Mind [309]
His Introduction of the Use of Chlorine in Bleaching [310]
One of the Founders of the Pneumatic Institution at Clifton [310]
His first Marriage [311]
Death of his first Wife [311]
His second Marriage [311]
Death of his younger Son [311]
Extracts from his Letters [312]
Character of Watt by Lord Brougham [313]
Extract from Sir Walter Scott's "Monastery" on the Character of Watt [314]
Sketch of the Life of Watt from the "Scotsman" by Lord Jeffrey [315]
Occupation of his old Age [318]
His Invention of Machine for copying Sculpture [318]
His last Days [318]
Monuments to his Memory [319]
Inscription by Lord Brougham on the Pedestal of the Monument in Westminster Abbey [320]
[CHAP. XI.]
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES ON RAILWAYS.
High-pressure Engines [322]
One of the earliest Forms of the Steam Engine [322]
Description of Leupold's Engine [323]
Non-condensing Engine of Messrs. Trevethick and Vivian [324]
Construction of a Machine for moving Carriages on Railroads [328]
Effects of Railway Transport [329]
Moral and political Consequences of [334]
History of the Locomotive Engine [337]
Construction of Locomotive Engine by Blinkensop [337]
Messrs. Chapman's Contrivance [337]
Walking Engine [337]
Mr. Stephenson's Engines at Killingworth [339]
Liverpool and Manchester Railway [342]
The Directors offer a Prize for the best Locomotive Engine [344]
Experimental Trial [344]
The "Rocket," "Sanspareil," and "Novelty" [344]
Admirable Arrangement in the Rocket [345]
Description of the "Sanspareil" [347]
Description of the "Novelty" [349]
The Superiority of the "Rocket" [350]
Method of subdividing the Flue into Tubes [353]
Progressive Improvement of Locomotive Engines [354]
Dr. Lardner's Experiments in 1832 [357]
Adoption of Brass Tubes [360]
Great Expense of Locomotive Power [361]
Mr. Booth's Report [362]
Detailed Description of the most improved Locomotive Engines [365]
Substitution of Brass for Copper Tubes ascribed to Mr. Dixon [370]
Power of Locomotive Engines [379]
Position of the Eccentrics [379]
Pressure of Steam in the Boiler [401]
Dr. Lardner's Experiments in 1838 [406]
Resistance to Railway Trains [407]
Dr. Lardner's Experiments on the Great Western Railway [408]
Experiments on Resistance [409]
Restrictions on Gradients [410]
Compensating Effect of Gradients [412]
Experiment with the "Hecla" [412]
Disposition of Gradients should be uniform [415]
Methods of surmounting steep Inclinations [415]
[CHAP. XII.]
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES ON TURNPIKE ROADS.
Railways and Stone Roads compared [420]
Gurney's Steam Carriage [423]
The Boiler of Gurney's Engine [423]
His Method of cleansing Boilers [428]
Convenience and Safety of Steam Carriages [432]
Two Methods of applying Locomotive Engines upon common Roads [434]
Horse Carriages compared with Steam [435]
Extract from Mr. Farey's Evidence before the House of Commons [435]
Hancock's Steam Carriage [436]
How it differs from that of Mr. Gurney [437]
Ogle's Locomotive Carriage [438]
Dr. Church's Steam Engine [439]
[CHAP. XIII.]
STEAM NAVIGATION.
Form and Arrangement of Marine Engines [441]
Arrangement of the Engine-room [446]
Marine Boilers [448]
Effects of Sea Water in Boilers [450]
Remedies for them [451]
Blow-off Cocks [452]
Indicators of Saltness [453]
Seaward's Indicator [454]
His Method of blowing out [454]
Field's Brine Pumps [456]
Tubular Condensers applied by Mr. Watt [457]
Hall's Condensers [458]
Substitution of Copper for Iron Boilers [460]
Process of Stoking [462]
Watt's Expedient of attaching Felt to the Boiler Surface [463]
Means of economising Fuel [463]
Number and Arrangement of Furnaces and Flues [463]
Howard's Marine Engine [464]
Application of the expansive Principle in Marine Engines [466]
Recent Improvements of Messrs. Maudslay and Field [467]
Humphrey's Marine Engine [470]
Common Paddle-wheel [472]
Feathering Paddles [474]
Galloway's Patent for a Paddle-wheel with movable Paddles [476]
Split Paddle [478]
Proportion of Power to Tonnage [480]
Improved Efficiency of Marine Engines [482]
Iron Steam Vessels [483]
Steam Navigation to India [484]
[CHAP. XIV.]
AMERICAN STEAM NAVIGATION.
Steam Navigation first established in America [487]
Circumstances which led to it [488]
Attempts of Fitch and Rumsey to apply the single-acting Engine to the Propulsion of Vessels [489]
Stevens of Hoboken commences Experiments in Steam Navigation [489]
Experiments of Livingstone and Fulton [489]
Fulton's first Boat [490]
The Hudson navigated by Steam [491]
Extension and Improvement of River Navigation [492]
American Steamers [494]
Difference between them and European Steamers [494]
Steamers on the Hudson [494]
American Paddle-wheels [495]
Sea-going American Steamers [496]
Speed attained by American Steamers [497]
Lake Steamers [499]
The Mississippi and its Tributaries [499]
Steam-boats navigating it [500]
Their Structure and Machinery [500]
New Orleans Harbour [503]
Steam Tugs [503]
[APPENDIX.]
On the Relation between the Temperature, Pressure, and Density of Common Steam.
Empirical Formula of Biot, showing the Relation between the Pressure and Temperature [505]
Empirical formula of
Southern [506]
Tredgold [506]
Mellet [506]
De Pambour [506]
MM. Dulong and Arago [506]
Law of the Expansion of elastic Fluids, discovered by Dalton and Gay Lussac [506]
Formula for the Relation between the Volumes and Temperatures [507]
Law of Mariotte [507]
Table of Pressures, Temperatures, Volumes, and Mechanical Effects of Steam [509]
Empirical Formulæ for the Relation between the Volume of Water and that of the Steam produced by its Evaporation under given Pressures [511]
Formula of Navier [511]
Modified by De Pambour [511]
On the Expansive Action of Steam.
Mechanical Effect produced during a given Extent of Expansion [511]
Mechanical Effect produced during Evaporation and subsequent Expansion [512]
Application to double-acting Engines [513]
Formula for Pressure of Steam in Cylinders [514]
Formula for total Mechanical Effect per Minute of Steam when cut off at any proposed Part of the Stroke [514]
Formulæ exhibiting the Relation between the Resistance of the Load, the Resistances of the Engine, the Evaporation, the Speed of the Piston, and the Magnitude of the Cylinder [515]
Formulæ showing the Relation between the Power of the Engine, the Evaporation, and the useful Load [516]
Formulæ for the useful Effect and the Duty [517]
Estimates of the several Sources of Resistances [518]
Tables to facilitate the Computation of the Effects of Expansive Engines [519]
Table of the Areas of Pistons [520]
Examples of the Application of these Formulæ [521]
[INDEX.]

VIADUCT, NEAR WATFORD, BIRMINGHAM RAIL-ROAD.

THE

STEAM ENGINE.

HERO OF ALEXANDRIA.

[CHAPTER I.]

[Pg003]
[TOC] [INX]

THE STEAM ENGINE, A SUBJECT OF POPULAR INTEREST.—THE OBJECT OF THIS WORK.—DISPUTES RESPECTING THE INVENTION.—HERO.—DE GARAY.—DE CAUS.—BRANCA.—MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.—PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES.—ELASTIC AND INELASTIC FLUIDS.—THEIR PROPERTIES.—APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES TO THE ENGINES OF HERO, DE CAUS, AND LORD WORCESTER.—SIR SAMUEL MORLAND.—PAPIN.—ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.—THE WEIGHT OF AIR.—LESS AT GREATER HEIGHTS.—BAROMETER.—PRESSURE OF AIR.—ELASTIC FORCE OF AIR AND GASES.—FORCE PRODUCED BY A VACUUM.—COMMON PUMP.—RAREFACTION BY HEAT.—PAPIN'S METHODS OF PRODUCING A VACUUM.—HIS DISCOVERY OF THE CONDENSATION OF STEAM.—SAVERY.

The Steam EngineExplained and Illustrated

[CONTENTS.]

[CHAPTER I.]

The Steam Engine
Explained and Illustrated