630 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



STEAMSHIPS. 



By Henry Meigs. 



The last ten years of thinking on steam navigation has resulted 

 in a sort of compromise between the side wheels and the screw. 



It is manifestly error not to avail ourselves of the cheap power 

 of wind, on the ocean. And when wind is either wanting or 

 adverse, we still wish to go ahead. Thus comes in the screw as 

 an assistant, and the wind blanks are filled in by the screw 

 powders. Certainly we ought not, if possible, to cease to avail 

 ourselves of the wands, especially on the Atlantic, whose windy 

 character is permanently established. 



We believe that the screw propeller will (if it is not already,) 

 be so arranged as to be triced up snug under the stern of the 

 shij). so as not in the least degree to impede her sailing. 



By thus equalizing the hourly speed of the ship, we make 

 two voyages, nearly, for one; or in point of economy, we have 

 two ships in place of one. And the mere economy of time is to 

 us short lived beings, of incalculable value. 



We believe in making ships that cannot sink; not being able to 

 understand, in our philosophy, why a ship should be so constructed 

 as to sink, by any possible chance. Or, in plain terms, a ship 

 whose specific gravity cannot exceed five hundred, that leaves her 

 one-half in water, and no more. We believe that the inveterate 

 stupidity of men has made ships of one skin, so that a hole in 

 any part of it ensures the filling of the whole vessel with water. 

 A man built on that plan would be a blood bag. Make a hole 

 in the bag anywhere and the blood all runs out. We believe 

 that the time is near wiien we may be as safe at sea as on landj 

 when fire and wood-work will no longer be together, as they are 

 now universally, but fire and iron only. We also believe that 

 fire and steam will eventually be displaced, in locomotion, by 

 other powers as effectual and not hazardous. Chemistry owes us 

 that from the days of Dr. Black, of London, to this day. He 

 tried to play a trick on gunpowder by using it in place of steam, 

 by burning small portions at a time under pistons. So making 

 it a working servant and not a murderer ! Electricity has long 

 been attempted, but as yet, like a wild horse of the pampas, he 

 has yet to be lassoed ! 



