AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 569 



The furnace was charged with 500 pounds of Scotch pig, 500 pounds of 

 Scrap, 500 pounds of franklinite ore and 1,000 pounds of coal. In twenty- 

 one minutes from the introduction of the heat, the metal began to flow, and 

 presented a very pure and limpid appearance, though covered by scoria of 

 an unusual depth in the ladles. The metal when cool was much more uni- 

 form tlian that ordinarily produced, and bore a strain equal to good gun- 

 metal. Your committee are, however, of the opinion that these investiga- 

 tions have not yet been carried to a sufficient length to warrant them in 

 saying much about them, while as they indicate the possibility, if not the 

 certainty, of success, the hope is en-tertained that they may prove so remu- 

 nerative as to be prosecuted. 



C. MASON, 



EDWARD W. SERRELL, 



S. D. TILLMAN, 



R. P. STEVENS, 



CHARLES A. SEELEF. 



Special Committee. 

 wiard's ice-boat. 



The committee appointed to visit Wiard's Ice-boat, made the following 

 report : 



Mr. President, — The committee appointed to visit Wiard's Ice-boat, 

 ''the Lady Franklin," at the North Point Foundry, Jersey City, respect- 

 fully report that, at two o'clock, P. M., on Tuesday, the 14th inst., six of 

 the members (viz., Messrs. Johnson, Seeley, Fisher, Cohen, Stuart and Gar- 

 vey), proceeded to Jersey City and devoted the afternoon to a very careful 

 examination of the Lady Franklin. Two other members of the committee, 

 viz., Prof. Hedrick and Major Serrell, have also examined it more at their 

 leisure, and we unhesitatingly report that we believe Mr. Wiard's theory 

 of locomotion over ice, by means of steam, to be perfectly feasible, his 

 devices masterly, and his knowledge and skill as an inventor adequate to 

 meet all and every difficulty that may arise in the practical trials of his 

 boat. Also that the boat now completing, the Lady Franklin, is a perfect 

 model of compactness, lightness and strength. The body of the boat is 

 composed of sixteenth inch iron strengthened by two inch angle irons, with 

 extra framing in the rear to support the engine and fuel. The cabin is 

 capable of accommodating twenty passengers, is eight feet in height, and 

 is supplied with double windows, to insure warmth and freedom from frost- 

 ed windows. The cabin is heated by the exhaust steam from the engine, 

 and both it and the outside of tlie boat are decorated in a most artistic 

 manner, the aid of photography being called in to adorn the panels over 

 the windows with portraits of many distinguished ladies and gentlemen. 

 In other particulars the boat does not diflfer essentially, except in dimen- 

 sions, from the model exhibited at the fair, and which the members of the 

 club have repeatedly examined. 



In conclusion, the committee would state as their reason for so empha- 

 tically endorsing Wiard's ice boat, that they have given it a very careful 



