114 Clironicles of Science. [Jan., 



to move it. The capstans are fitted on the same hed-plate, and can 

 haul upon both chains at once in opposite directions, thus bringing 

 a very considerable pull upon the stranded ship. 



A neat arrangement of cut-oflf gear, for enabling the degree of 

 expansion in a steam-engine to bo regulated by the governor, has 

 recently been introduced by Messrs. Shelmerdine, Walker, and 

 Holt, of the Albion Ironworks, Miles Plattmg, Manchester. In 

 this arrangement the cut-off valve is placed at the back of the main 

 slide-valve, and is moved by the latter by friction, the stroke of the 

 cut-off valve being limited by a link coming into contact with 

 springs on the stops. When the expansion-valve is stopped in this 

 way the main slide travels on without it, and thus effects the cut-off 

 of the steam ; and the point in the stroke at which this stoppage of 

 the cut-off valve takes place is regulated by raising or lowering the 

 point of suspension of the link. 



A new arrangement of stop-block for railway sidings, &c., is 

 now being introduced by Messrs. E. S. Yardley and Co., of Man- 

 chester. The block, which is of cast iron, has bolted to it a pair of 

 clips, which partially embrace two journals. The upper surface of 

 the rail forms a portion of the bearings when the block is raised, 

 but is left quite clear when the block is down. The block is raised 

 and lowered by means of a shdiug handle ; this handle, when the 

 block is raised, lieing locked by mercdy turning it one-fourth round. 

 When the handle is thus turned a disc is exhibited, which indicates 

 that the block is on the rails. 



Mr. V. de Michele has lately introduced the simplest and most 

 practical method of combining a screw motion with the ordinary 

 reversing handle for a steam-engine that has yet been suggested. 

 In this the handle works altogether independently of the screw, 

 using its threads as notches. The screw arrangement is placed 

 close below the frame of the engine on the centre of motion of the 

 lever, leaving the handle as clear for ordinary rapid action as in 

 the case of the simple lever. 



Engineering Works. — The Chief Constructor of the Navy, Mr. 

 E. J. Keed, C. B., has recently publislied a work on the subject of 

 shipbuilding, entitled ' Shipbuilding in Iron and Steel,' * which 

 professes to be " a practical treatise, giving full details of construc- 

 tion, processes of manufacture, and building arrangements ; with 

 results of experiments on iron and steel, and on the strength and 

 water-tightness of riveted work." Unlike many previous publica- 

 tions of a kmdred nature, this work deals with the question of 

 shipbuilding from a purely practical point of view, and ap])ears 

 fully to carry out the author's intention of furnishing fuller inform- 

 ation on the subject than has yet been pubhshed. The volume 



* Tjondoa : John IMurmy, Albemarle Street. 1SG9. 



