of Steam-Power in Navigation. 249 



sacrifice of any kind, even from the commencement. For out- 

 ward-bound ships could easily fill up with coal (they already 

 dunnage with it), — a large supply could, I believe, also be pro- 

 cured from New South Wales ; modes would be devised of redu- 

 cing its expenditure, by consuming wood and other substitutes 

 along with it ; and, at all events, the speed and punctuality 

 with which communications would be thus everywhere main- 

 tained, would bear a heavy expence, with still a great advantage. 

 This is not the system, only one application of it ; and may 

 therefore be approved of or not, whatever may be thought of 

 the main question. But thus far such remarks appear strictly 

 in point. The object is to recommend experiments in steam- 

 towing ; and every portion of the reward (or supposed such), 

 which may be reaped from success in it, is a legitimate argu- 

 ment in favour of a first attempt. And one more may be ex- 

 tracted even from the variety of topics which have thus natu- 

 rally, and without violence, found here a place. Steam, as at 

 present employed afloat, can scarcely be said to be available in 

 more than one description of work, — packet service. It is here 

 contemplated as applicable to many. And it may be very confi- 

 dently maintained, that it is the extent of application of a new 

 principle, not the importance of any one exhibition of it, which 

 constitutes its real value, and may be said to be its measure *. 



• Singe the text of this paper was printed, I have met with a table, pub- 

 lished by Mr Tredgold, which places the extravagant expence incurred by 

 the passion for speed in steam-boats in a still more striking point of view than 

 I had before seen it. According to this authority, the power necessary to 

 give a boat different velocities is as follows ; and it would be very interest- 

 ing if the table had other two columns, one shewing the first investment, the 

 other the daily expenditure (on an average) against each number. We should 

 then still more distinctly see the price paid, under existing circumstances, for 

 mere speed, but which is generally considered inseparable from every use of 

 steam-power. 



3 miles per hour. 5i horsed power. 7 miles per hour 69 hono^ power. 



4 ... 13 8 ... 108 



5 ... S5 9 ... 146 



6 ... 43 10 ... 200 



I will venture to observe, at the same time, that it appears to me very doubt- 

 ful, how far any of these tables can give correct general results in the high 

 numbers. That a high velocity is always purchased by an extravagant waste 

 of power is no doubt quite certain ; as also, that in the boat or boats, on his 

 experiments with which Mr Tredgold founds his table, this waste was such 



