IV 



FROM RIVER TO SEA 



IN Britain, Henry Bell had so far suc- 

 ceeded in his efforts that he had his 

 Comet running in 1812. This little craft 

 was a great advance on her forerunners, 

 and was employed on a regular passenger 

 service on the Clyde. The Comet was 

 40 ft. long with a beam of about 10 ft. 

 Her engines developed 4 horse-power, 

 which gave her a speed of eight miles 

 an hour. The paddles were rather 

 remarkable, being of the malt shovel 

 variety. 



I think we may say that just as the 

 Rocket, seventeen years later, made for 

 certainty in the growing up of the loco- 

 motive, the Comet did likewise for the 

 steamer. 



39 



