CHAP. TV. CANAL UNDERTAKINGS. 143 



The application of the power of the steam-engine to 

 the purposes of navigation was one of the subjects in 

 which Lord Stanhope took a more than ordinary interest. 

 As early as the year 1790 before Fulton had applied 

 his mind to the subject he was in communication with 

 Mr. Eennie as to the best mode of applying this novel 

 power, and in that year he took out his patent for the 

 propulsion of ships by steam ; but his plan, though 

 ingenious, was never carried into practical effect; 1 On 

 the 26th of April, 1790, we find Mr. Eennie, in a letter 

 to the Earl, communicating the information which he 

 required as to the cost of applying Boulton and Watt's 

 improved steam-engine to his newly-invented method of 

 propelling ships without sails. His Lordship had also, it 

 appeared, taken objection to the space occupied by the 

 condensing apparatus, and wished to know whether it 

 could not be dispensed with, so that room might be econo- 

 mized. To this Mr. Eennie replied that it could, and 

 that high-pressure steam might be employed if necessary ; 

 also that the cylinders might be used inclined or ver- 

 tically, as best suited the space available for their ac- 

 commodation. His Lordship proceeded to perfect his 

 invention, and made a trial of its powers in Greenland 

 Dock with a flat-bottomed boat constructed for the pur- 

 pose ; but the vessel not moving with a velocity greater 

 than three miles an hour, the plan was eventually 

 abandoned. 



Shortly after the retirement of Mr. Smeaton from 

 the profession, about the end of the year 1791, Mr. 

 Rennie was consulted respecting numerous important 

 canal undertakings projected in different parts of the 

 country ; amongst others were a proposed navigation to 

 connect Cambridge with Bury St. Edmunds another 

 between Andover and Salisbury and a third between 

 Reading and Bath, which was afterwards carried out by 



1 He adopted paddles, placed under I made to open and shut like the feet 

 the quarters of the vessel, which were | of a duck. 



