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THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[October, 



An- Ikon Life-Boat.— About twelve months ago a subscription was raiseil 

 -,t ri'.vre Cor tlie cousliuction of an iron life-boat, by M. Liihure ! this lio^t. being hnished, 

 wati short time ago submitted to trial in the presence of a committee appomted tor the 

 •nVrn'osf who declared it to be perfect, and, consequently, it la noiv placed at the port tor 

 serv ce in case of need j it is built of cast-iron sheets, is 215 ft. 3 in. in lenKth, and o It. 

 ■i in in' breadth. The reservoir of air is divided into three compartments, perfectly dis. 

 linct from each < ther, so that any accident happening to one of them, would not destroy 

 Us buovancv , self acting valves let in and out such quantities of air as may be required 

 to preserve Us equilihlium, according to the weight with which it may be charged, and, 

 by means of a water.proof cloth, so arranged as uot to confine the motions of the rowers, 

 excludes the possibility of its being swamped bv shipping water. 



PL\Tl^G Stei-.i. dy a Solution of Silver.— "This solution, remarkable for 

 its intensely sweet taste, is readilv obtained by disso'ving recently precipitated chloride of 

 silver in a solution of hvpo. sulphite of soda, and though the steel may be plated, as stated 

 above by immersion in' the solution, it will be found more advantageous in practrce to use 

 a paste formed by moistening a little whitening with the solutioir, with which the surface 

 to be pl'ater4 should he rubbed oi-er." It appears that whilst in some instances the silver 

 deposited •• presents a perfectly uniform and adhering surf.ice," in other cases its precr. 

 pitalion " is attended with a roughening of the surface" of the steel -an objection which 

 the writer anticipates will be overcome, as the process receives more general attention. 

 Should this anticipation be realised, the discovery will be found of no less utility in its ap- 

 plication to tlie arts than of present interest as a new fact in metallurgical science.— the 

 PharmactuticalJournal. 



GiGVNTic Scheme.— We have liearil that the praclirability of connec ing 

 the opposite shorts of the Mersey by a stupendous chain bridge is under consideratron. 

 It is said, that by the formation of a viaduct, on the principle of an inclined plan.i, on 

 arches, commencing at the lop of James-street, to the msrgin of the river, a snnicient 

 eh vation may be obtained. A similar erection on the Woodside bank of the river would. 

 of course, be requisite. Our active and enterprising Che-hire neighbours would, no 

 doubt, readilv assist in piomotini; a project so magnificent. .Such a work would throw au 

 other suspension bridces into the shade, and be a world's wonder. 01 its practicaUility 

 nodoubt, we believe, is entertained, and it will be allowed that the enterprise is worthy 

 the combined energies of Liverpool and Birkenhead.—* Liverpool Albion.' 



Injoruu-s EFFEns OF Lead.— At ihe Aeulemic iles .Science?, Paris, a pa|ier 

 by M. Cbevreul was read, " on the injurious effect, in a commercial point of view, of the 

 presence of lead in certain preparations used in manufactures. He states that he was 

 some time since consulted as to the cause of a brown tint which made its appearance in 

 some white shawls which, in the finishing process, had been submitted to the action ol 

 steam On examination, he found that the parts thus stained were only those which had 

 received a preparation of glue, and on analyzing some of the same glue, he lound that it 

 contained oxide of lead, and a small quantity of oxide of copper. This glue was prei"''''" 

 in the neiiihbonrhood of Lille, and it was ascertained that a quantity ol white lead nau 

 been added to it. 



Steam Enoine Chimnevs Sdpeksehed,- Cr Arnott has recently ailapled 

 an air-pump to supply a draught to lurnaces, that will supersede the necessity of liinnels 

 in stcam-boals, and if the costly chimneys which now demand so great an outlay in the 

 erection of engine houses. This pump, when worked by a wuight of 1 cwt., furnishes a 

 draught etrual to 100 cubic feet ot air in a minute, in an uncompressed state. A slignt 

 Iransferof power from any engine, would thus suffice to create a strong draught, which 

 can be so directed as to cause the consumption ot tlie smoke. 



Church Bells.— The Irish Ecclesiastical Journal informs the clergy that 

 they can substitute cast.steel bars for the ordinary church bells with very considerable 

 advantage, as regards both tone and cheapness. Any clergyman can procure for .Ws. a bar 

 of cast steel, producing a better tone than the ordinary small church bells, which cost 

 from -i;. to 61. 



Abfp.ystwith.— On the 2(iili ult. tlie ceremony of laying the foumlation 

 stone of a new County Hall was performed here, in consequence of the present one being 

 too small for the transaction of public business. The cost for ereclion, &c„ will be about 

 ^.iOOO. Architect, Mr. W. U. Coultart. 



Nasmyth's P.\tent Steam Hammer— One has lately commenced opera- 

 tions at Oevonport Dockyard. 



Gfrman Associ.\tion of Architects akd ENGISEERS.—The Germans are 

 carrying out associations, or periodical meetings of men of science, even more extensively 

 than onrfelves, anil they have as perhaps our readers are aware Iroin our columns, an 

 Association of Architects anil Engineers, which this year met at Prague, being its second 

 meeting. Some long remarks have appeared in the ' Algeraelne Zeitnng in reference to 

 it fronV which it appears, that as last year no practical papers have been produced, and 

 only a meagre assortment of theoretical papers on architecture or antiquities, wot a 

 paper was read on practical constructions, as railways, or on machinery, this account 

 might be thought to belong to establishments nearer home. 



WE.STMINSTER BRIDGE.— This brirlge was closeil on Momlay the 14lh lilt, 

 for the purpose of lowering the roadway of the centre of the bridge ; this desirable object 

 has been accomplished, and the steepest inclination of 1 in 14 reduced to 1 m J,j, which 

 will render the ascent easier than Blackfriars Bridge. This alteration has been t^one in 

 the incredible short period of a fortnight, the bridge being again opened on Monday the 

 28th ult The lowering of the footpaths is deferred until the new parapets are ready, 

 together with the widening of the bridge, when this is done the view of the New Houses 

 of Parliament will be greatly improved : we hope there will be no delay in proceeding with 

 so desirable an object. 



lilST OP KEIS?' PATENTS. 



GKANTED in ENGLAND FROM SEPTEMBER 26, TO OCTOBER 23, 1844. 



Six Months allowed for Enrolment, unless othenmse expressed. 



Edward Coke Wilmot, of Haddenham, Bucks, for " Improved apparatus for warming 

 beds, persons, carriages, and rooms. "Sealed September 20, 1144. 



James Malum, of Huntingdon, gas engineer, for "certain Improvements in purifying 

 coal gas, and incieusing its illumiualing power, and preventing the circulation ol it being 

 impeded by frost.— September 26. 



Edwin Edward Cassel of Millwall, Poplar, mei chant, for " n material or combination of 

 material suitable for paving, piping, rooting, and most other purposes to which wood and 

 iron are applicable."— September 20. 



Thomas Clark, of Wolverhampton, iroufounder, for " an Improved domestic conve- 

 iiience.— September 2G. 



Sir George Steuart Mackenzie, of Conl, county of Boss, baronet, for " an Improvement 

 or improvements in the manufacture of paper, and particularly for the purposes ot 

 writing and copying writings, and machinery for efiecting the same, also the manulacture 

 of a Huld or fluids to be used with the improved paper in the mannei ot ink. —Septem- 

 ber 21). 



John Berkeley Cotter, of Dublin, gentleman, for " Improvements in the preparation 

 and manufacture of woven fabrics, or tissues applicable to various useful purposes. — 

 aeptenilier 20- 



Alexander Turnbull, of Knssell-square, doctor of medicine, for " a new mode or method 



f more expeditiously and effectually tanning hides and skins, and of extracting and tepa- 



ratiiig the catechuic acid from the tannic acid in the catechue or terra japonica used in 

 tanning."— September 26. 



Alexander Ramuz, of Frith Street, Soho, cabinet-maker, for " Improvements in sofas, 



wardrobes, ottomans, bedsteads, and other apparatus for reclining or sleeping on, and in 



the construction of dining and billiard tables. (Being a communication.)— September 2/ . 



James Carter, of Delabole, Cornwall, gentleman, for " Improvements in cutting slite 



for roofing, and other purposes."— Sepiember 27. 



William Henry Ritchie, of Lincoln's-inn, gentleman, for " Improvements in carding 

 engines." (Being a cummunication.}— September 27. 



John Harcourt Quinrey, of Old-street, gentleman, for " Improvements in the manufac- 

 ture of blinds and shutters."— September 27. 



Samuel Cunliffe Lister, of Manningham, worsted spinner, for " Improvements in pre- 

 paring and combing wool."— September 27. 



William Thomas, of Cheapside, merchant, for " Improvements in looms." (Being a 

 communication.) — October 3. 



■Samuel Pritcliett, of Charlbury, Oxford, glove-maker, for "certain Improvements in 

 cutting and making up gloves."— October 3. 



Albert Daniel Hindley, of Bernor's-street, Oxford-street, carpet manufacturer, for " Im- 

 provtments in the manutactuie of carpets, and other piled fabrics."— October 3. 



William Newton, of Chancery.lane, civil engineer, for " Improvements in macllinery for 

 letter-press priming." (Being a communication.)— October 3. 



Obed Mitchell Coleman, of Fitzroy-square, gentleman, for "Improvements in piano- 

 fortes."— October 10. 



William Henry Ritchie, of Lincoln's-inn, gentleman, for " Improvuments in obtaining 

 copper from ores." (Being a communication.)— October 10. 



John Bower Brown, of Sheffield, merchant, for " Improvements in combining cnst-ateel 

 with iron, and in the construction of cairiage springs."- October 10. 



loseph Eugene Cbabert, of Ch,ancery lane, gentleman, for " Improvements in preparing 

 m.iterials to be used in making picture and other frames, and for aichitectural, and other 

 purposes." — October 10. 



Henry Oliver Robinson, of Old Jewry, engineer, for " certain Improvements in steam 

 machinery and a]iparatus for the manufacture and refining of sugar."— October 10. 



George Hurwood, of Ipswich,en3ineer, for "Improvements iu apparatus formovingand 

 fastening windows.''— October 14. 



John Smith, of Salford, weaver, for " certain Improvements in the manufacture of fa- 

 brics suitable for ornament or dress." (Being a communication.)— October 14. 



Adolphe Nicole, of Dean-street, Soho, watchmaker, for "Improvements in watches and 

 chronometers."— October 14. 



Sir Graham F-i'en Hamond, baronet, K.C.B., of Norton Lodge. Yarmouth, for "Im- 

 provements in the mode of fasteningon and reelingpaddle-wbeels, flout- boards, or paddles. 

 (Being a communication.)— October '4. 



William Clarke, of Nottingham, lace-manufacturer, for " certain Improvements in ma- 

 chinery lor manufacturing ornamental bobbin net or twist, lace, or other fabrics.' —Oc- 

 tober 14. 



Peter Borrie, of Princes-square, St. George's in the East, civil engineer, for "certain 

 Improvements in the machinery for the manufacture of sugar."— Octoper 17. 



Arthur Parsey, of Spur-street, Leicester-square, Artist, for "Improvements in obtain- 

 ing motive power." — October 17. 



Edouard Guigucs, of Feckham, gentlemen, for " Improvements in printing on leather 

 and skins."— October 17. 



Paul Chappe, of Manchester, spinner, for " certain Improvements in machinery or ap- 

 paratus for spinning and doubling cotton and other fibrous substances."— October 17. 



Abxander Wright, of Hales-place South Lambeth, engineer, for " ceit.iin Improved ap- 

 paratus for measuring gas, water, or other fluias, and in the means of manufacturing the 

 same."— October 17. 



Frederick Herbert Waberly, of Stowmarket, clerk, Stephen Geary, of Harailtcn-place, 

 New-road, architect, and Joseph Croucber, of James-street, Buckingham-gate, gentleman, 

 for " certain Improvements in the construction and arrangement of machinery or appa- 

 ratus for clearing, cleansing, watering, breaking up, and raking, of streets, roads, lands, 

 and other ways. "—October 17. 



John Grieve, of Pottobello, Scotland, engineer, for " cert.ain Improvements in the pro- 

 duction and use of steam, applicable to steam-engines."- October 17. 



James Nasmyth, of Patricroft, Lancaster, engineer, and Charles May, of Ipswich, en- 

 gineer, for " Improvements in working atmospheric railways, and in machinery for con- 

 structing the apiiaratus employed therein."- October 22. 



John Henry Rehe, of Moscow-road; surgeon, for " Improvements in the manufacture 

 of starch aud farinaceous food." — October 22. 



Frederick Ransome. of Ipswich, caster, for " Improvements in the manufaclure of ar- 

 tificial stone for grinding and other purposes."— October 22. 



George Osmond, of London-street, Tottenham-court-rnad, cabinet maker, for " Im- 

 provements in fastenings for doors, draners, window-sashes, and riining-tables, and in 

 apparatus for suspending looking-glasses, and other articles."— October 22. 



James Napier, of Hoxlon, dyer, for " Improvements in treatingmineral waters to obtain 

 products therefrom and for separating metals from other matters."- October 22. 



Moses Poole, of the Patent-office, London, gentleman, for " Improvements in ma- 

 chinery lor emptying privies .ind cesspools." (Being a communication.)— October 22. 



Henry Carbines, of Hayle, Cornwall, brazier, for " certain Improvements in fusees, cart, 

 ridges, and other like explosive instruments."— ""'"b""- "J 



-October 24. 



POWEE OF WATER WHEELS. 

 " Aquarius" has not given sufficient data for the calculation which he requires. The 

 power of overshot wheels depends not only on the width of the bucket but also on their 

 caoacity, form, or number, f ome buckets are formed so us to retain the water durrng a 

 greater part of their revolution than others. Also, creleris paribus, the slower the velocuy 

 maintained in the wheel by the amount of work done hy it, the greater the lorce ot the 

 water. The " theoretical" duty of an overshot wheel is the whole weight of water multi. 

 plied by the velocity of the stream. The " actual" duty aiipears from Smeaton s Experi- 

 nients to bear to the theoretical the proportion 2t3 ; in overshot wheels the proportion is 

 about 2:6. All practical deductions from the theory of hydrodynamics are very difiicult, 

 owing to the present inadequate knowledge of the theory itself; but the following rule lor 

 calculating the effect of overshot wheels, taken from the Encyclopaidia Britannica may 

 he considered tolerably accurate. Multiply ^ of the number of buckets hy I, 4a6, and 

 this product by the number of gallons in each bucket. The result gives the number of 

 pounds acting on the circumference of the water wheel. In breast-wheels, however, the 

 current of witev generally acts as well as the weight i and the torce of Ihe stream must 

 therefore he ascertained. As all these calculations are experimental, Aquarius, if anxious 

 on the subject, will get a much more satislactory result, it he can make a direct exper,. 

 ment on his own wheels, of the weight which each will hft by means of , rope coiled 

 lound the wheels themselves. The machinery should, o make tha experiment accurate, 

 he disconnected, as far as practicable, from the water wheels; and he will he doing a ser- 

 vice to practical science by communicating the result. 



