This boat is seventy-seven feet long, twenty-one feet wide, and measures one hundred and thirty-six tons. The engine, with its boilers, will occupy sixteen feet by twelve, or one-eighth only of the boat; the cylinders being hung on the timbers of the deck over the boilers. She is principally intended to tow vessels up the river to Hartford.
In towing, it is of importance that the engine admit of any inferior velocity or power, till some momentum is had. An engine working by atmospheric pressure does not admit of this. And as the boat herself, at the moment of commencing the operation, may have no steerage-way, by placing two blade-rudders at the sides, behind the water-wheel, where a current is occasioned by them, the boat is kept in her relative position.
The application of the steam-engine to the towing of other vessels was fully appreciated by the late Mr. Fulton, whose conspicuous labours and enterprise, in the establishment of steam-boats, the public duly honours. His active mind had conceived of its utility; and he would have obtained a patent, had not the previous employment of steam in this way, and the award of arbitrators on the question been in my favour; which I mention merely in reference to the supposed utility of this mode of operation, in connexion with Morey's engine.
Morey's engine should rather be denominated a revolving engine than a rotatory one, especially as it is essentially different from one so called invented by Mr. Curtis.
[Plate I. Fig. 5], represents the arrangement of a double engine for a boat, with its cylinders in different positions. a a a, boilers; b b, tar-vessel; c, valve-box; d, cylinders in different positions; e, piston-rod; f, pitman; h, centre-piece; i i, shaft; k, valve; l, steam-pipe; m, escape-pipe; n, condensers; t, water-wheel; v, face of the valves; x, tar-fire. The frame, holding the cylinder (d) is, by its opposite sides, so hung as to revolve. To the end of the axis of one side, extended over the cylinder, is fixed the centre-piece (h) resembling a crank, from which the bar or pitman (f) communicates to the cross-piece of the piston-rod. On this same axis, but outside the frame, is placed two circular pieces, one of brass, the other of iron, (k) which we may call the valves. One is fixed on the axis, the other moves, and accompanies the frame and cylinder in its revolution; from it, at opposite sides, pipes lead the steam to each end of the cylinder. It has a smooth face, which applies, and is kept by springs close to that of its counterpart fixed on the said axis. Steam-pipes lead from the boilers through the counterpart into the moving valve. On the opposite side of the fixed piece the eduction-pipe (o o) leads to the condensers.
The condensers (p) are upright vessels, two to each cylinder, connected at top by a sliding valve box, so that the steam enters them alternately. At bottom are two valves, kept closed by weights. A stream of water is injected into the condensers, which escapes by the bottom valves (p p) by which also the air is blown out, at every stroke, in the same manner the engine is cleared of air at first.
There are also two cocks and cross-pipes seen, [Plate III. Fig. 4], to change the steam from one side to the other of the valve, to give a reversed motion of the engine.
The power is communicated to its object from the opposite side of the frame by the axis attached thereto, and supported on bearings. This axis (i i) may be of any length; may terminate in a crank or cog-wheel, or another cylinder (as here represented) may be attached thereto at right angles to the first, to co-operate and produce, at every moment, equal power.
[Plate II. Fig. 6]. Profile of the above. a a, the boiler; c, valve; d e g, cylinder and frame; f, valve; h h, cog-wheels; i, cog-wheels to move the pumps; k k, condensers; m m, coverings in; o o, gas-fire flue.
Fig. 1. a, steam-pipe; b, escape-pipe; c, fixed valve; d, moving valve; e, axis; f, a washer; g, section of frame; h, a washer; i, centre-piece; l l, steam-pipe; k k, springs to keep the valves together.