90 IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES. 



the principal parts of these engines were imported from En- 

 gland. With the Schuyler-mine engine, Mr. Hornblower, 

 the uncle of the younger Hornblower, who is well known as 

 a skillful and scientific engine-builder, and whose calculations 

 on the power of steam are extremely useful, came to America. 

 He put up the engine, which at different times has been at 

 work during the last thirty years, and which, notwithstanding 

 its imperfect construction, and the faulty boring of its cylinder, 

 effectually drained the mine. 



During the general lassitude of mechanical exertion which 

 succeeded the American revolution, the utility of steam-en- 

 gines appears to have been forgotten ; but the subject after- 

 wards started into very general notice, in a form in which it 

 could not possibly be attended with much success. A sort of 

 mania began to prevail, which indeed has not yet entirely sub- 

 sided, for impelling boats by steam-engines. — Dr. Franklin pro- 

 posed to force forward the boat by the immediate action of 

 steam upon the water. (See his Works). Many attempts to 

 simplify the working of the engine, and more to employ a 

 means of dispensing with the beam, in converting the Librato- 

 ry into a rotatory motion, were made. For a short time a 

 passage-boat, rowed by a steam-engine, was established be- 

 tween Bordentown and Philadelphia : but it was soon laid aside. 

 The best and most powerful steam-engine which has been em- 

 ployed for this purpose, excepting perhaps one constructed by 

 Dr. Kinsey, with the performance of which I am not suffi- 

 ciently acquainted, belonged to a few gentlemen of New- York. 

 It was made to act, by way of experiment, upon oars, upon 

 paddles, and upon flutter wheels. Nothing in the success of 

 any of these experiments appeared to be a sufficient compen- 

 sation for the expense, and the extreme inconvenience of the 

 steam-engine in the vessel. 



There are indeed general objections to the use of the steam- 

 engine for impelling boats, from which no particular mode of 

 application can be free. These are: 1st, The weight of the 

 engine and of the fewel. 2d, The large space it occupies. 

 3d, The tendency of its action to rack the vessel and render 

 it leaky. 4th, The expense of maintenance. 5tii, The irre- 



