LOCOMOTION BY RIVER AND RAILWAY. 



of this flooring is usually, but not always, enclosed an oblong, 

 rectangular space, within which the steam machinery is placed, and 

 this enclosed space is continued upwards through the structure 

 raised on the platform, and is intersected at a certain height above 

 the platform by the shaft or axle of the paddle-wheels. 



These wheels are propelled, generally, by a single engine, but 

 occasionally, as in European states, by two. The paddle-wheels 

 are usually of great diameter, varying from 30 to 40 feet, accord- 

 ing to the magnitude of the boat. In the wooden building raised 

 upon the platform, already mentioned, is contained a magnificent 

 saloon devoted to ladies, and to those gentlemen who accompany 

 them. Over this, in the upper story, is constructed a row of small 

 bed-rooms, each handsomely furnished, Avhich those passengers 

 can have who desire seclusion, by paying a small additional fare. 



The lower apartment is commonly used as a dining or breakfast- 

 room. 



In some boats, the wheels are propelled by two engines, which 

 are placed on the platform which overhangs the boat at either side, 

 each wheel being propelled by an independent engine ; the wheels, 

 in this case, acting independently of each other, and without a 

 common shaft or axle. This leaves the entire space in the boat, 

 from stem to stern, free from machinery. It is impossible to 

 describe the magnificent coup d'ceil which is presented by the 

 immense apparent length when the communication between them 

 is thrown open. Some of these boats, as has been already stated, 

 are upwards of three hundred feet long, and the uninterrupted 

 length of the saloons corresponds with this. 



This arrangement of machinery is attended with some practical 

 advantages, one of which is a facility of turning, as the wheels, 

 acting independently of each other, may be driven in opposite 

 directions, one propelling forwards and the other backwards, so 

 that the boat may be made to turn, as it were, on its centre. 

 Although, from the great width of the Hudson, no great difficulty 

 is encountered in turning the longest boat, yet cases occur in which 

 this power of revolution is found extremely advantageous. 



Another advantage of this system is, that when one of the two 

 engines becomes accidentally disabled, the boat can be propelled 

 by the other. 



The general appearance of the Hudson steamers is represented 

 in the annexed engraving of the " Iron Witch." 



17. No spectacle can be more remarkable than that which the 

 Hudson presents for several miles above New York. The skill 

 with which these enormous vessels, measuring from three to four 

 hundred feet in length, are made to thread their way through 

 the crowd of shipping, of every description, moving over the face 

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