INTRODUCTION. xxv 



such strength and stabihty under sail as would enable 

 her to be navigated in safety to the southern Atlantic. 

 It had been proposed to send her out in frame, and to 

 set her uj) in the river, but against this plan there were 

 insuperable objections. 



Messrs. Watt and Bolton were put in communication 

 with Mr. Seppings, in order that a proper steam engine 

 might be fitted for the vessel. Unfortunately however, 

 by some misconception, the engine with its boiler was 

 heavier, or the vessel drew more water, than had been 

 anticipated; the consequence of which was, that at the 

 highest pitch of the engine it Would not propel her 

 through the water at a greater speed than that of four 

 knots an hour ; and when lightened to the draught of 

 four feet three inches, her rate of going never exceeded 

 five knots and a half an hour. It was therefore so ob- 

 vious that this rale of going never could compensate for 

 the very great incumbrance of a machine that occupied 

 one-third part of the vessel, that it was at once deter- 

 mined to get rid of it altogether ; a measure which was 

 earnestly urged by Captain Tuckey, as he thereby 

 would procure a most important addition for the stowage 

 of provisions, and the accommodation of his crew. As 

 the trial of this steam vessel, which had been constructed 

 with the view of combining the opposite qualities of navi- 

 gating the ocean by the power of the wind, and stemming 

 the current of a river by that of steam, had attracted a very 

 considerable degree of curiosity, the failure brought for- 

 ward a shoal of projectors, every one ready Avith his in- 

 fallible remedy ; and jMessrs. Bolton and Watt were no 

 less anxious to try the result of another engine with some 



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