256 THE ADDRESSES, LECTURES, ETC., OF 



be constructed, which is at the same time a gas producer, or in 

 other words an apparatus in which both the solid and gaseous 

 constituents of the coal are fully converted. 



The intense heat in the very centre of a large mass of fuel has 

 for its result a very rapid distillation, and thus one gas producer 

 does the work of two or three gas producers of the type hitherto 

 employed ; this more concentrated action will moreover allow of 

 the introduction of gaseous fuel, where want of space and con- 

 siderations of economy have hitherto militated against it, and in 

 favour of the ordinary coal furnace. 



It has been already proved that steam boilers can be worked 

 economically on land with gaseous fuel, and there is no reason 

 that I know of why the same mode of Avorking should not also be 

 applied to marine boilers. The marine engine has within the last 

 fifteen years been improved to an extent which is truly surprising: 

 the consumption of coal, which at the commencement of that 

 period was never less than 8 Ibs. per h-p., has been reduced by 

 expansive working in compound cylinders to 2 Ibs. or even less 

 per actual h-p. The mode of firing marine boilers has, however, 

 remained the same as it was in the days of Watt and Fulton. In 

 crossing the Atlantic one may see a considerable number of men 

 incessantly employed in the close stoke-hole of the vessel opening 

 the fire-doors and throwing in fuel. Each charge gives rise to 

 the development of heavy clouds of black smoke issuing from the 

 chimney, to the great annoyance and discomfort of the passengers 

 on deck. If, instead of this, the fuel were to be discharged 

 mechanically into one or more gas producers, the gaseous fuel 

 produced would maintain the boilers at a very uniform heat, with- 

 out necessitating the almost superhuman toil of the fireman ; no 

 smoke or dust would be emitted from the chimney, and a large 

 saving of fuel would be effected. 



This change would be specially appreciated by the numerous 

 tourists visiting the Western Highlands. Speaking from my own 

 experience on one occasion, I may say that the pleasure of a trip 

 on the beautiful Loch Lomond was very seriously marred in con- 

 sequence of the fumigation which my fellow-passengers and myself 

 had to endure. 



The change from the use of solid to gaseous fuel would be the 

 prelude probably to another, and still more important change 



