Steam Navigation. 393 



Mr. Deiiman spconded the motion. He had himself witnessed 

 all the inconveniences and nuisances stated by his honourable 

 friend, and he was sure they conld be removed. 



Sir Charles Mordaunt spoke to the same effect ; and expressed 

 his conviction that the proposed law would be beneficial to the 

 nation at large. 



The motion was agreed to, and the Committee appointed. 



STEAM NAVIGATION, 



A new ship, intended to plv as a regular packet between New 

 York and isew Orleans, has recently been built, called the Robert 

 Fulton. She is said to be, in every respect, one of the finest 

 steam vessels ever constructed. She is upv/ards of 750 tons, of a 

 very great length, rigged with lug sails ; has three kelsons, (the 

 centre one large enough for a ship of theline,) together with bilge- 

 ways, and the whole secured and bolted in a very superior man- 

 ner ; her frame timber and plank are of live oak, locust cedar, 

 and southern pine, copper bolted and coppered. 



She will afford accommodation for more than 200 persons, 

 and is fitted up with high and airy state rooms, thoroughly ven- 

 tilated by means of sky lights the whole length of the cabin, 

 which is verv extensive. Her after cabin is neatly arranged for 

 the accommodation of ladies, and separated by means of folding 

 doors, in the modern style. She has also a range of births fore 

 and aft, together with a commodious fore cai)in. And, what 

 adds to the greatest comfort and security of all, her engine and 

 other machinery are completely insulated, and unconnected as it 

 were with the other part of the ship. In the centre, lengthwise, 

 is a kind of well-hole or square trunk, made both fire and water- 

 proof; no possible accident, therefore, by the bursting of the 

 boiler, can reach either of the cabins. This trunk or well-hole 

 being inclosed by very thick plank, caulked and leaded, may be 

 inundated with water at pleasure, without any inconvenience to 

 the passengers. 



The furnace is also completely surrounded by the continuation 

 of the boiler, so that no part of the fire can ever come in contact 

 with the wood. There is a space of about nine or ten inches 

 filled in with materials, nonconductors of heat, which answer 

 the donlde purpose of excluding the heat from the cabin, and at 

 the same time deadening the disagreeable noise of the engine. 

 She is also provided with a leather hose, similar to those used by 

 our fire-engine couiiianies in this city, which will enable the iiot 

 or cold water to be conveyed to any part of the .ship, and fur- 

 nishing at the same time the great convenicncy to the passengers 

 of a warm or cold bath at pleasure. Her engine was constructed 



Vol. 55. No. 2G5. May 1820. M m by 



