82 THE SEA. 



very speculative turn of mind. Before I knew him he had gone through a very long 

 and expensive course of experiments upon artillery, of which the carronade was the result. 

 When I came to know him he was engaged in experiments upon shipping, and had built 

 several (ships or vessels) upon different constructions, and of various magnitudes. The 

 double vessel seemed to fix his attention most. In the summer of 1786 I attended him 

 repeatedly in his experiments at Leith, which I then viewed as parties of pleasure and 

 amusement. But in the spring of 1787 a circumstance occurred which gave me a 

 different opinion. Mr. Miller had engaged in a sailing match with some gentlemen at 

 Leith, against a Custom House boat (a wherry), which was reckoned a first-rate sailer. 

 A day was appointed, and I attended Mr. Miller. His was a double vessel, sixty feet 

 deck, propelled by two wheels, turned by two men each. * * * Being then young 

 and stout, I took my share of the labours of the wheels, which I found very severe 

 exercise, but it satisfied me that a proper power only was wanting to produce much 

 utility from the invention." This led to long and interesting discussions on the subject, 

 and Miller explained that his principal object was to enable vessels to avoid or extricate 

 themselves from dangerous situations, and also give them powers of motion during calms. 

 He asked Mr. Taylor to give him the benefit of his brains. At last the latter told him 

 that he could suggest no power equal to the steam-engine. The question then became 

 how to apply it. Taylor made sketches according to his ideas, and Mr. Miller then said, 

 " Well, when we go to Edinburgh we will apply to an operative engineer, and take an 

 estimate for a small engine, and if it is not a large sum, we will set about it ; but as I 

 am a stranger to the steam-engine, you shall take charge of that part of the business, 

 and we will try what we can make of it. 



" At this time William Symington, a young man employed at the lead mines at 

 Wanlockhead, had invented a new construction of the steam-engine, by throwing off the 

 air-pump. I had seen a model work, and was pleased with it, and thought it very 

 answerable for Mr. Miller's purpose. Symington had come into Edinburgh that winter 

 for education. Being acquainted with him, I informed him of Mr. Miller's intentions 

 and mine, and asked if he could undertake to apply his engine to Mr. Miller's vessels., 

 and if he could I would recommend him. He answered in the affirmative, and from 

 friendship I recommended both himself and engine, and afterwards introduced him to 

 Mr. Miller. After some conversation, Symington engaged to perform the work, and 

 Mr. Miller agreed to employ him. It was finally arranged that the experiment should be 

 performed on the lake at Dalswinton, in the ensuing summer (1788). Accordingly in the 

 spring, after the classes of the College broke up, I remained in town to superintend 

 the castings, &c., which were done in brass, by George Watt, founder, back of Shakspear 

 Square. When they were finished I sent the articles to the country, and followed 

 myself. After some interval I took Symington with me to Dalswinton to put the parts 

 together. This was accomplished about the beginning of October, and the engine, 

 mounted in a frame, was placed upon the deck of a very handsome double pleasure-boat, 

 upon the lake. We then proceeded to action, and a more complete, successful, and 

 beautiful experiment was never made by any man at any time, either in art or science. 

 The vessel moved delightfully, and notwithstanding the smallness of the cylinders (four 



