MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 35 



paired, and leave a large surplus capable of being applied to any useful 

 purpose. 



In Cincinnati, a Mr. Solomon has constructed an engine, for the 

 employment of carbonic acid as a motive power, which is said to work 

 successfully. 



THE LARGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD. 



THE Oriental Steam Navigation Company, England, are now con- 

 structing an iron steam-ship, of the following dimensions and power : 

 viz., length between the perpendiculars, 325 feet, breadth of beam, 43 

 feet ; depth, 32 feet. She will measure about 3060 tons, and will be 

 propelled by four engines of the collective working power of 1200 

 horses ; will have feathering paddle-wheels, and a guaranteed average 

 speed of 14 knots, equal to sixteen statute miles per hour. Some idea 

 may be formed of the size of this gigantic vessel, when it is compared 

 with that of some of the existing steam-ships most celebrated for their 

 large size. She will be 51 feet longer than the Great Britain, 60 feet 

 longer than the largest of the Cunard mail-steamers, the Asia and 

 Africa ; and 150 feet longer, and 500 tons larger, than a ship of the 

 line of 120 guns. She is to run between Southampton, England, and 

 Alexandria, Egypt, a distance of 3100 miles. It is estimated that she 

 will make the passage in nine days. 



GIGANTIC RAILROAD BRIDGE IN GERMANY. 



ONE of the most gigantic and colossal bridges ever constructed, was 

 recently opened for travel on the railroad between Leipsic and Nurem- 

 burg, Germany. In the construction of this road it was found neces- 

 sary to carry the track directly across a deep valley, near the town of 

 Hoff. As it would have required a mountain of dirt to form an 

 embankment, only a bridge was found practicable. One thousand dol- 

 lars were offered to architects and engineers, as a premium for the best 

 plan. As none of the plans sent in were found practicable, the com- 

 mittee made up one from them, and divided the premium among the 

 competitors. One engineer proposed to build the bridge in such a way 

 that it would afford comfortable dwellings for 6,000 people. The foun- 

 dation of the bridge was laid in May, 1846. It is built principally of 

 brick, sandstone being used in the foundations. There is a succession 

 of arches one above the other, having the appearance of colonnades when 

 viewed from a distance. The bridge is 2050 feet in length, and in the 

 centre nearly 300 feet high. At the centre, only two arches, of nearly 

 150 feet in height, spring one above the other while upon the sides 

 there are four smaller arches. Part of the time, 2000 men were 

 employed upon it, and the work has continued five years, costing over 

 $3,000,000. 



GREAT BRIDGE AND VIADUCT OVER THE WYE. 



A GIGANTIC bridge and viaduct is now in the process of construction 

 over the river Wye, in Wales, which bids fair to rival in fame the 



