48 REPORT — 1853. 



tinually increased, and we have now a goodly number plying in almost every 

 direction ; those within the Humber running to the tollowing places, viz. 

 Grimsby, New Holland, Barton, Ferriby Sluice, Gainsborough, Goole, 

 Thome, Selby, and York ; coasters, to London, Yaimouth, Lynn, Wisbeach, 

 Newcastle, and Leith ; foreign parts, St. Petersburgh, Christiania, Gotten- 

 burg, Hamburg, Zwolle, Rotterdam, Antwerp, &c. 



Many of our finest steamers, both of wood and of iron, have been built in 

 Hull ; and in justice to my scientific fellow-townsmen, I must say that they 

 have displayed so much talent in the art of steam-ship building, as to secure 

 for themselves a large amount of respect and commendation. There is, how- 

 ever, with some exceptions, a great want of public spirit and bold enterprise 

 in Hull, or I do not fear to say, it might have become one of the first places 

 in Britain for shipbuilding ; but it is never too late to amend. As a localit}', 

 there is every facility for Carrying on an extensive business; its position in 

 reference to the north of Europe cannot be surpassed. The fine level shores 

 of the Humber give facility for constructing building-yards and patent slips 

 to any extent, and the ready communication with the iron, timber, and coal 

 districts all combine to point out the advantages we possess, almost beyond 

 any other place in the United Kingdom. 



Many important improvements in the form and construction of steamers 

 in Hull have taken place since the commencement here ; and although we 

 cannot boast of a John Scott Russell, a Robert Napier, and a John Laird, 

 yet we have the advantage of their experience and science in many fine 

 specimens of their build belonging to our port ; and I may assert, that the 

 lessons of those gentlemen will not be lost upon us. 



Hull, too, has contributed its share in the improvement of the steam-engine, 

 as applied more particularly to navigation; for it was the late Mr. Witty, of 

 the firm of Todd and Witty of Hull, who first adapted the oscillating cylinder 

 to practical uses, which is now so generally applied to steam-boats. I do 

 not mean to say that Mr. Witty applied his oscillating engine to steam-boats, 

 but he did upwards of thirty years ago set one to work in a manufactory at 

 Hull of six or eight horse-power, which continued for several years, fully 

 answering the purpose. After this it was that the invention was applied to 

 marine purposes by Penn of Greenwich, and others. Some of Penn's beau- 

 tiful engines may be seen on board the " Harlequin," " Columbine," and 

 " Atalanta," running between Hull and Gainsborough ; also, on the same 

 principle by Robinson and Russell, on board the " Manchester," and by 

 Messrs. Rennie on board the " Sheffield," Hull and New Holland steamers ; 

 and by our own townsmen, Brownlow and Pearson, on board the beautiful 

 new ship the " Eagle ;" and Messrs. Earle, on board the " Minister Thor- 

 becke." I have been more particular in giving this detailed statement as a 

 tribute to the memory of poor Witty, who, like many others, had few to sup- 

 port and encourage him in his just claims while living. 



I have great pleasure in referring to another highly important invention by 

 a townsman, which, although not yet applied to marine engines, no doubt 

 shortly will, and must be, and which bids fair to take an important stride in 

 their improvement, — I mean Messrs. Locking and Cook's patent rotary-valve, 

 the invention of William Cook of this place, a working engineer. It is 

 already fitted to a pair of engines, and fully answers, if it does not exceed, the 

 most sanguine expectations formed upon its merits. As the principle will be 

 fully explained by Mr. Locking, I will not at present say more about it, except 

 that I hope to see it in general use, applied to marine, locomotive, and fixed 

 engines. 



Looking back at what has been done in steam navigation, and the rapid 



