Masterpieces of Science 



by any means new; and we believe Mr. Booth to 

 be entitled to the merit of inventing the method 

 by which the multitubular principle was so 

 effectually applied in the construction of the 

 famous "Rocket" engine. 



The principal circumstances connected with 

 the construction of the "Rocket," as described 

 by Robert Stephenson to the author, may be 

 briefly stated. The tubular principle was adopted 

 in a more complete manner than had yet been 

 attempted. Twenty-five copper tubes, each three 

 inches in diameter, extended from one end of 

 the boiler to the other, the heated air passing 

 through them on its way to the chimney; and 

 the tubes being surrounded by the water of the 

 boiler, it will be obvious that a large extension 

 of the heating surface was thus effectually se- 

 cured. The principal difficulty was in fitting 

 the copper tubes in the boiler ends so as to pre- 

 vent leakage. They were manufactured by a 

 Newcastle coppersmith, and soldered to brass 

 screws which were screwed into the boiler ends, 

 standing cut in great knobs. When the tubes 

 were thus fitted, and the boiler was filled with 

 water, hydraulic pressure was applied; but the 

 water squirted out at every joint, and the factory 

 floor was soon flooded. Robert went home in 

 despair; and in the first moment of grief he wrote 

 to his father that the whole thing was a failure. 

 By return of post came a letter from his father, 

 telling him that despair was not to be thought of 

 that he must "try again;" and he suggested 

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