288 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[SEPTEaiBEB, 



The Pacific Steam-Navigation Company. — A magnifirent iron steam-sbip 

 the ' Bolivia,' has been launched from Mr. Napier's building yards at Govnn. She has 

 been built for the Pacific Steam-Navigation Company, to ply between Valparaiso and 

 Puuama. She is 'JOO feet in length, and 27 feet beam, and nieasurea 773 tons burden. 

 She 19 on the paddle wheel principle, and will be propelled by side-lever engines of 3(JU- 

 horse power. There are some peculiarities in the construction worth mentitninK. There 

 is a full poop CO feet long; between the paddle-boxes there is a hurrlcane-iieck, and In 

 front a top. gallant forecastle. These three detks are 7 ft. 6 in. abovo the main-deck, and 

 are connected together by gangways. Ample promenading room ia thus aflorded on the 

 main-deck, sheltered from storms or oppressive heats. 



Steam Screv) Apparatus. — The General Screw Steam Shipping Company's 

 • new ship.tlie ' Bosphonjs,' fitted with engines by Messrs. Maudslay and Field, lately 

 made a trial of her speed. The result was considered as the most satisfactory that has 

 ev»r yet been known under similar circumstances. The following are the particulars : — 

 The dimensions of the ship are— Length, \7^> feet- breadth 2.'> feet; measuring in tons, 

 S.il leet; horse power, 8i>; diameter of cylinder, Sf^iches : stroke, LM inches; diameter 

 01 screw, lu ft. 6 in. ; pitch, It* ft. 6 in. ; mean revolutions, 62*2 i length of engine-room, 

 3'> 'eet, which Includes a space for the stowage of loO tons of coals ; draught of water on 

 trial, forward, (J ft. 8 in., aft 9 ft. f5 in., the screw propeller being 14 inches out of the 

 water. The trials of the measured knot were— 



First Knot h min. 10 sec., equal to 10 286 



Second ditto (> „ 21 „ „ yj48 



Third ditto 6 „ 4 „ „ &-8D0 



Fourth ditto 6 ,, 9 „ „ 0756 



Fifth ditto t; „ 54 „ „ 8-695 



giving a mean speed of ship, In knots, 9-67D; speed of screiT, 11;!48 ; slip in knots, 

 \-ur>p; or 147 per cent. The * Bosphorus' left BlackwuU about 1 p.m., and proceeded In 

 capital style down the river, the wind at the time blowing hard from tha south-west. 



English-built War-Steamers for the Austrian Government. — It is stated 

 that some time ago, the Austrian government or lercd the building of three large and 

 powerful steam men-of-war at Bristol. The contract for the structure of these vessels 

 was taken by Messrs. Patt^son and Co., ship-builders of that port, who immediate y pro- 

 ceeded to the execution of their engagement. The greatest despatch was used in the 

 construction of the lirst steamer, which was launched a *w days ago ; her equipment for 

 Bea ia now progressing rapidly. The two other vessels, which are of large tunnage and 

 power, are building in the yard of the contractors, near the Princes-sireet bridge. 



Self-Heating Shot for War Purposes. — " We saw, the other day," says 

 the 'Glasgow Chronicle,* "in the establishment of Mr. Field, tin-plate worker. ArgylU 

 Btreei, a peculiar and apparently most valuabls mode of obtaining red-hot shot for large 

 K'uis. It is the invention of Mr. Scoulier, the lorema-i in Mr. Field's workshop, and con- 

 sists in the tilling the hollow shot with a highly-combustible powder, the composition of 

 which we are not yet at liberty to make public. Two or three fuse-holes are marie in the 

 shot, so that, when lired from the piece, ignition takes place, and t'le shot is made red- 

 hoi before it arrives at its destination. In the trial we saw, the shot, which was about 2^ 

 inches diameter, was simply laid on the ground, and the composition was ignited by a 

 llgiil applied to the fuse-hole. Violent combustion immediately eosutd— liquid tire ap- 

 pt-ared to stream from its three fuse-holes, and the material becain« quite red- hot in a 

 few seconds. The inventor states that, when tired from a gun, a reil heat will be allained 

 in less than 20 seconds from its leaving its mouth. Tiie composiuon will burn under 

 water. It is easily made, and there is little doubt as to its eHiciency for war purposes, in 

 place of the present expensive and troublesome system of heating, the shot being put 

 into a gun in a cold state, ua with ordinary soiid balls. 



Liquid Glue. — Messrs. Neuber and Watkins have invented an improved 

 liquid glue, which has the advantage of being strorger than the ordinary glue, end Is 

 ft. ways ready. It will unite almost every description of material, whether it be wood, iron, 

 or plaster. 



Improved Method of Temperiyig Edge Tools.— T\\q. ' Scientific American* 

 gives the following process for haating axes or oihsr similar articles : — '* A heating furnace 

 is constructed in the form of a vertical cylinder, the exterior made of sheet-iron, lined 

 with fire brick, 4 ft. S in. diameter, or of such 4mtside diameter as to give it an inside one 

 of 4 feet and 3 feet hiph. In the interior of this cylinder, several fire chambers are 

 formed— usually four. The Inner wall of each fi-e chamber is 18 inches long, 4 inches 

 from front to back, and about 4 inches in depth— forming, in the whole, a circle of 

 3 ft. 4 in. diameter. Under each there are grate-bars, and air is supplied through a pipe 

 cennected with a blowing apparatus. A circular table of cast-iron, 3 ft. 4 in. diameter, 

 is made to revolve slowly on the level wiih the upper part of the said chamber. This 

 chamber is sustained on n central sb»fi, which pas-es down through the furnace, and has 

 its bearing in a step below it; a pulley keyed on to it serves to communicate rotatory 

 motion to the table. When the axes or other articles are to be heated, they are placed 

 upon the table, with their bits or steeled parts projecting so far over its edge as to bring 

 them directly over the centre of the tirt*. and fhe table is kept slowly revolving during the 

 whole time of heating, When duly heated, they are ready for the process of hardening. 

 Tlie hardening biith consists of a circular vat of salt water; within the tub or vat, a little 

 above the surface of the liquid, is a wheel, mounted horiiontally with a number of hooks 

 around the periphery, upon which the axes or other articles are suspended. The height 

 of the hooks from the surface of the liquid is such as to allow the steeled part only to be 

 immersed. As soon as the hardening is etfected, the articles are removed from the hooks, 

 and cooled by dipping In cold water. W'ith the best cast steel, a temperature of 5l0^ 

 Fahr. has been found to produce a good result, in hardening in about 4^') minutes." 



Evaporation. — The Bombay Times of the 25th of April, contains a report 



of the monthly meeting of the Gt'ugraphicul Society of Bombay. The secretary. Dr. G. 

 Buist, made an interesting communication on a method adopted by him for ascertaining 

 the heat of, and evuporation from, the soil. The objects and details of the experiment 

 are stated to be as follows :— "As the ev.iporation from a shallow dish of water exposed 

 t() the sun, and liable to be raised to a temperature of 1()U° or 12u-', gives no idea wbut- 

 e^'er of the amoutit of evaporation from the surface of the sea, large pools, or lakes, which 

 vary but little in tempe ature, he was anxious to determine the amount of evaporation 

 from the surface of wet earth compared with that from the surfiice of a considerable mass 

 ot water. With this view, two zinc cylinders were prepared, .'1 feet in h-ngih and 4 inches. 

 in diameter, and secured by a strong brass ring at the top and boilom, carefully turned. 

 These contained fiftees pounds, or a gallon and a half of water each, temperatnre 82*^, or 

 nineteen pounds of the loose red earth to be found associated with trap rock When 

 filled with earth well shaken down they were able to take In six and a half pounds of water 

 to overflowing. Each was provided ivith a glass tube i-inch bore, connected with the 

 bottom ot the cylinder, and running parallel with it to the top: this was intended to 

 show how hi«h the water stood inside. The tubes were provided with scales divided into 

 inches and tenths from top to bottom. On filling one of them with earth, and then 

 adding water till it flowed over, thnt in the tube of course decreased rapidly by evapoia- 

 lion— but, strange to tell, after continuing to descend from noon till daybreak, it com- 

 menced immediately to rise again till II a.m., remaining motionless till 1 p.m., when it 

 began to sink, and so continued descending till about an hour alter sunrise, when it com- 

 menced Immediately to rise, and so continued till the same hour as during the preceding 

 day. This had gone on regularly for four days:- each day it sank from 2 to a inches, and 

 only rose half as much; the fluctuation was in all respects most perfectly regular and 

 symmetrical.'*— The importance of an inquiry of this kind extended over several years 

 and wide districts is great; and the simplicity of this arrangement appears to recommend 

 it to the attention of all who are in any way interested iu solving the problems that con- 

 nect themselves with meteorological phenomena." 



Painting without Smell. — A bottle of sweet oil of tarpentine has been 



sent to us for our Inspection. It appears to possesB the merits, when used with white 

 lead, of being free from smell; and at the satne time, the colour, when mixed with it, is 

 improved 1h appearance. 



Stucco Colouring and Whitewash. — The following recipe is used for pre- 

 paring the celebrated stucco whitewash, used in the United States on the east end of the 

 President's house, at Washington. Take half-a bushel of good unslacked lime, slack it 

 with boiling water, covering it during the process to keep in the steam. Strain the liquor 

 through a fine sieve or strainer, and add to it a peck of clean salt, previously dissolved in 

 warm water, three pounds of good rice, ground to a thin paste, and stirred wliile boiling 

 hot; half-a. pound of powdered Spanish whiting, and a pound of clean glue, which has 

 been previously tiis^olved by first soaking it well, and then hanging It over a slow fire in 

 a small kettle, within a large one filled with water. Add five gellona of hot water to the 

 whole mixture; stir it well, and let It stand a few days, covered from dirt. It should be 

 put on quite hot ; for this purpose it can be kept io a kettle on a portable furnace. It is 

 said that about one pint of this mixture will cover a square yard upon the outside of a 

 house, if properly applied. Brushes more or less small may be used, according to the 

 neatness of the job required. It retains its brilliancy for many years. There is nothing 

 of the kind that will compare with it, either for inside or outside walls. Any required 

 tinge can be (^Ivea to the preparation, by the addition of colouring matter. 



LIST OF NEW PATENTS. 



GRANTED IN ENGLAND FROM JULY 24, TO AuGUST 23, 1849. 



Six Months allowed for Enrolment^ unless otherwise expressed* 



George Fellowes Harrington, of Plymouth, dentist, for Improvements in the manufac- 

 tu'-e of artificial teeth, and the beds and [mlates for teeth. — Sealttd August 1. 



Florentin Joseph Ue CavaMlon, of Paris, chemist, for certain improvements in obtain- 

 ing carburetted hydrogen gas, and in applying tlie products therefrom to various useful 

 purposes — August 1. 



Jerome Andre Dries, of Manchester, machinist, for certain improvements in the manu- 

 facture of ivearing apparel, and in the machinery or apparatus connected therewith.— 

 August 1. 



Thomas Potts, of Birmingham, Warwick, manufacturer, for improvements in appara. 

 tus bsed with curtains, blinds, maps, and plans. — Augnst 1. 



Benjamin Thompsou. of Newcastle-upon Tyne civil engineer, for improvements in the 

 manufacture of iron, — August 1. 



William Gf-eves, of Biittle-bridge, saw-mill proprietor, for improvements in the manu- 

 facture of boxes for iratches, and other purposes. — August 1. 



Julian Edward Oisbro^ve Rodgers, of High-street, Pimlico, Middlesex, professor of 

 cheniisiry, for improvements in the manufacture of white lead. — August 1. 



David Harcourt, of Biimingham, for improvements in vices, and in the manufacture of 



hinges ; and also in apparatus for dressing and finishing articles matte of metal.— Aug. 1. 



Adam Vule, of Dundee, master mariner, and John Chanter, of Lloyds, gentleman, for 



improvements in the preparation of materials for coating ships and other vessels. — 



August 1. 



Richard Kemsley Day, of Stratford, Essex, hydrofuse manufacturer, for improvements 

 in the manufacture of emery paper, emerv cloth, and other scouring fabrics. — August 1. 



John Shaw, of Glossop, musical instrument maker, for certain improvements ic air- 

 guns.— August 1. 



Augustus Roelm, of Paris, gentleman, for Improvements in making roads and ways; 

 and in covering the flo ts of ci»urt-yards, buildings and other similar places. — August 1. 



James Murdoch, of Staples'-inn, mechanical draughtsman, for certain improvements 

 in converting sea-water into fresh, and In ventilating ships and other vessels; applicable 

 also to the evaporation of li(iuids, and to the concentration and crystallization of syrups 

 and saline solutions. (A communication.) — August 1. 



John Parkinson, of Bury, Lancaster, brass founder, for improvements in machinery or 

 apparatus for measuring and registering the flow of liquids. — August 1. 



Benj:imin Aingworth, of Birmingham, button-maker, for improve;nentsin ornamenting 

 iron and other metals, for use in the manufacture of gun-barrels, and ail other articles to 

 which the same ornamented metals may be applied.— August 1 . 



David Clovis Knab, of Leicester- place, civil engineer, for an improved apparatus for 

 distilling fatty and oily matters. — August 1. 



William Thomas, of Cheapside, merchant, and John Marsh, foreman to the said Wil- 

 liam Thomas, for improvements in the manufacture of looped fabrics, stays, and other 

 parts of dress; also in apparatus for measurinc. — August ih 



Arthur Howe Holdsworth, of the Beacon, Dartmouth, esquire, for improvements in 

 the construction of marine boilers, and funnels of steamboats and vessels. — August 9. 



William Furness, of Lawton-street, Liverpool, builder, for improvements in machinery 

 for cutting, planeing, moulding, dovetailing, boring, morticing, tongueing, grooving, and 

 sawing wood ; also for sliarpening and grinding tools, or surfaces; uud also in welding 

 steel to cast inm.— August K. 



John Knowlys, of Heysham Tower, near Lancaster, esquire, for improvements in the 

 application and combination of mineral and vegetable products ; also in obtaining pro- 

 ducts from mineral and vegetable substances, and in the generation and application of 

 heat.— August 1). 



Alfred Vincent Ne\vton, of Chancery lane, mechanical draughtsman, for improvements 

 in derricks for raising heavy bodies. (A communication, ) — August 9. 



John Rutliven, of Edinburgh, civil engineer, for improvements In propelling and navi- 

 gating- ships, vessels, or boats, by steam and other powers. (A communication.)— 

 August 10, 



Arthur Dunn, of Worcester, soap maker, for improvements in making soap. — August 16. 

 Frederick William Bodmer. of Paris, civil engineer, for certain improvements in ma- 

 chinery or apparatus for letter press printing.— August ItJ. 



Richard Archibald Brooman. of Fleet-street, London, for improvements in machinery, 

 apparatus, and processes for extracting, depurating, forming, drying, and evaporating 

 substances. — August \6. 



Jonathan Blake, of Mount Pleasant, Eaton, Norwich, surgeon, for certain improve- 

 ments in lamps.- August 1(>. 



James Young, of Manchester, manufacturing chemist, for Improvements in the treat- 

 ment of certain ores and other matters containiug metals, and in obtaining products 

 therefrom. — August IH. 



Louis Lemaiire, late of Paris, in the Republic of France, but now of the Hotel de 

 rUniv^-rs, Blackfriars, engineer, for improvements In the manufacture of ferules, for 

 fixing the tubes of locomotive and other boilers. — August l*i. 



Charles Cowper, of Soutliampton-buildings, Middlesex, for improvements in machinery 

 for raising and lowering weights and persons in mines ; and in the arrangement and con- 

 struction of steam-engines employed to put in motion such machinery, parts of which im- 

 provements are applicable to steam-engines generally. (A communication.)- August 23. 

 Frederick Chamier, of Warwick. street. IVIiddlesex, commander in the Royal Navy, for 

 improvements in the manufacture of ships' blocks. (A communicetlon.) — August '23. 



William Edward Newton, of London, civil engineer, tor certain improvements in steam 

 boilers. (A communication.) — August '2'6. 



Alfred Vincent Newton, of London, mechanical draughtsman, for improvements In 

 manufacturing and refining sugar. (A communication.) — August 23. 



