28S On ihe intended Exeter Steam-Boat. 
mové bodies deeply immersed to great disadvantage. A few 
years ago a steam-packet, of which I was a part-owner, having 
made a successful voyage by sea from Scotland to London, led 
the way to similar attempts, and finally to the establishment of 
the steam-packets to Margate. The above vessel plied some 
time on the Thames, and subsequently passed over to the Seine. 
I confess, however, that I am decidedly of opinion, that as long 
as the common rotatory impellers are employed, such steam- 
packets aré infinitely more unsafe aé sea than vessels impelled 
by wind. As cuasters, less risk is of course incurred 3 because in 
ease of accident, as steam- packets draw little water, they may,run 
ashore with safety. Necessity has compelled many persons to . 
make voyages by sea in open boats, and they have frequently 
escaped ; but I believe few people would prefer from choice that’ 
mode of conveyance. Deceived by some exaggerated statements 
and reports (and contrary to my opinion detailed at some length 
in the newspapers of the day), a most respectable company in 
Dublin undertook the conveyance of passengers by steam-packets 
with wheels, between Holyhead and Dublin. The attempt, how- 
ever praiseworthy, has not repaid the spirited proprietors the 
many thousands they have expended therein. 
The conveyance of merchandise by sea from Scotland to the 
North of Ireland was attempted by steam-vessels worked by ors 
dinary wheels :—but I presume a failure, as J do not hear of their 
continuing to ply. If the secure conveyance of passengers by 
s€a in steain-packets involves difficulties on the known plan, it 
is clear that the safe conveyance of merchandise involves greater. 
A knowledge of the difficulties to be surmounted is, however, a 
great step towards finding the means of overcoming them. 
At first eight-horse engines were employed in boats... Me- 
chanics, accustomed to machinery acting on immoveable fulcrums, 
and perhaps ignorant of the laws of fluids, imagined that they 
had only to increase the power of their engines, and that thereby 
the velocity of the vessel would be increased in proportions but 
although thirty-six- and forty-horse engines are now in common 
use, little comparative advantage has been derived therefrom ; 
and wherever the power is expended in giving an undue velocity 
to the impelling wheels, much water is lifted, and the speed of the 
vessel is diminished. Jn short, the waste of power, owing to the 
imperfect leverage on the water of the wheels in common use, is 
enormous.—Still ov rivers (as nothing superior has appeared in 
use) this imperfection, being resolvable into a mere question of 
expense and convenience, forms no insurmountable bar to theif 
beneficial employment. It should always be held in view, that 
large engines are expensive, are weighty, occupy much valuable 
room, and consume daily large quantities of fuel, oil, &e. mee 
: the 
