570 [ASSEMBLT 



March 5^ A, 1855. 

 Present— President, R. L. Pell ; Engineers, Everett, of the U. S. 

 Navy; Storms, Edward Serrell, Lemuel Serrell, John K. Fisher, 

 Maynard, and Messrs. Backus, Godwin, Jos. P. Simpson and 

 others. 29 members in all. 



A note from the chairman, Henry B. Renwick, Esq. to the 

 secretary was read, stating his indisposition, disabling him from 

 taking the chair this evening. 



President Pell then called Engineer Fish to the chair, by vote 

 of the clerk. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 



The chairman then stated the question for discussion, viz : 

 " The most economical point at which to cut off the steam, sup- 

 plied, first, to non-condensing engines, and second, to condensing 

 engines, irrespective of the character of the work to be performed." 



Mr. Copeland, who proposed the question, being absent. Engi- 

 neer Everett read an essay upon the question, illustrating his 

 views by drawings on the black board. 



The chairman called on Engineer Maynard, to state his conclu- 

 sion on the point. 



Mr. Maynard disclaimed any pretension to decide this point, 

 among engineers of so much experience as those here ; but he had 

 indulged himself in a theory, grown out of his limited reading 

 and experience, which he would venture to state. (See his written 

 statement of that theory.) 



Engineer Edward Serrell explained his views of the effects of 

 the cut otf, and the throttle valve, and referred to his illustrations 

 upon the black board. We refer to his written statement for the 

 remarks which fell from him ; for we would not permit ourselves 

 to trust a report of them to any one; being, as they are, purely 

 technical and scientific. 



Engineer Millington — From his experience no great importance 

 can be attached to the operation from either, the cut off or the 

 throttle valve ; but all was due to the character and quantity of 

 the steam, in all ckscs. 



