IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES. 9\ 



gularity of its motion, and the motion of the water in the 

 boiler and cistern, and of the fuel-vessel in rough water. 6th, 

 The difficulty arising from the liability of the paddles or oars 

 to break, if light; and from the weight, if made strong. Nor 

 have I ever heard of an instance, verified by other testimony 

 than that of the inventor, of a speedy and agreeable voyage 

 having been performed in a steam-boat of any construction. 

 I am well aware, that there are still many very respectable and 

 ingenious men, who consider the application of the steam-en- 

 gine to the purpose of navigation, as highly important, and 

 as very practicable, especially on the rapid waters of the Mis- 

 sissippi; and who would feel themselves almost offended at the 

 expression of an opposite opinion. And perhaps some of the 

 objections against it may be obviated. That founded on the ex- 

 pense and weight of the fuel may not, for some years, exist on the 

 Mississippi, where there is a redundance of wood on the bank-- : 

 but the cutting and loading will be almost as great an evil. 



I have said thus much on the engines which have been con- 

 structed among us for the purpose of navigating boats, because 

 many modes of working and constructing them have been 

 adopted which are not used in Europe. Not one of them, 

 -however, appears to have sufficient merit to render it worthy 

 of description and imitation ; nor will I, unless by your further 

 desire, occupy your attention with them. 



The only engines of any considerable powers which, as far 

 as I know, are now at work in America, are the following. 

 1st, At New- York, belonging to the Manhattan Water-Com- 

 pany, for the supply of the city with water. 2d, One at 

 New-York, belonging to Mr. Roosevelt, employed to saw 

 timber. 3d, Two at Philadelphia, belonging to the corpora- 

 tion of the city, for the supply of the city with water; one of 

 which also drives a rolling and slitting mill. 4th, One at 

 Boston, of which I have been only generally informed, em- 

 ployed in some manufacture. In my second report, I will 

 notice the improvements made by the very ingenious Dr. Kin- 

 sey, who has erected, at New-\ oik, an engine upon a new 

 principle which is intended to be used in the supply of that 

 city with water; should it on experiment, be found to answer 



