884 Transactions of the American Institute. 



NEW STEERING PROPELLER. 

 Mr. F. G. Fowler exhibited a model, and spoke as follows: 

 This propeller, as its name implies, combines propelling and 

 steering in one apparatus. As a device, it is entirely novel, belong- 

 ing to no type or class of propellers in existence at the present 

 time, and having no precedent in the history of propulsion. In 

 its construction it would seem to resemble the paddle wheel, being 

 formed with radial arms and feathering blades, while its mode of, 

 propulsion is like the screw, being a submerged wheel, and acting 

 on the "sculling principle;" that is, by inclined planes passing 

 latterly through the water, or by striking the water a glancing 

 stroke; yet, on the whole, it differs materially from either. 1st. 

 In the plane in which it revolves, revolving in a horizontal plane, 

 while other propellers revolve in vertical planes. 2d. It dispenses 

 with the rudder, while other propellers require that as an essential 

 part. 3d. Other propellers require to reverse the engine, when 

 backing the boat, while this wheel turns in the same direction 

 when the boat is backing, that it does when the boat is going ahead. 

 4th. Other propellers can exert a propelling force, but in two 

 directions, namely, directly ahead and directly astern, while this 

 propeller can exert a force in an indefinite number of directions, 

 either forward, backward or laterally, or to any point of the 

 compass. 5th. Other propellers in turning the boat upon the 

 center, require two wheels, acting in the water at different points 

 and in opposite directions, while this propeller with a single wheel, 

 acting in the water at a single point, is enabled to turn the boat 

 exactl}'' on the center. 6th. This propeller is capal)le of moving 

 the boat side foremost, while other propellers ai-e powerless to 

 produce such a result. 



These features, it will be seen, by those familiar with the subject, 

 are sufficient to establish a definite line of demai'cation between 

 this and other propellers. 



THE WHEEL 



Consists of a vertical shaft, from which proceed four sets of hori- 

 zontal arms, to the extremities of which are attached four vertical 

 blades. These blades are attached by pivots placed on their ver- 

 tical central line, and have an oscillating motion of about sixty 

 degrees, which is produced by feathering-rods, which are attached 

 to the rotating strap of a stationary eccentric. Their inclination is 

 such, that they propel by pushing on the water during the latter 



