PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 475 



.YTECHNIC ASSOCIATIO 



February 26, 1863. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ) 



5- [ 



The Chairman, S. D. Tillman, Esq., presiding. 



Mr. Bull presented a model and drawings of the improvements belong- 

 ing to the iron railway company, which consist substantially in the substi- 

 tution of wrought iron for wooden cross ties between the rails, which rest 

 on cast iron pillars, each having a base of about two square feet. The 

 bottom of the casting receiving the rail is cup-shaped and fits over the top 

 of the cast pillar; between these two castings a desk of India rubber is 

 placed so as to lessen the jar which is so destructive to the car. 



Capt. Barnard explained the manner of laying down the rail with these 

 iron connections. 



On motion of Mr. Fisher, their models, drawing and description were re- 

 ferred to the committee on Manufactures, science and art of the Institute. 



The question for discussion, " The Use of Steam Expansively," was then 

 taken up. 



An animated debate took place between Messrs. Dibben, Rowell, Fisher 

 and E. N. Dickinson, Esq., the latter gentleman devoting nearly an hour 

 to a critical examination of certain positions laid down regarding steam in, 

 the last work of Mr. Isherwood. It is to be regretted that a verbatim 

 report could not have been made of this discussion. 



The subject was continued to the next meeting. 



Adjourned. Jireh Bull, Secretary pro tern. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ) 



March 6, 1863. ) 



The Chairman, S. D. Tillman, Esq., presiding. 



Mr. Henry B. Mattison, of this city, presented and explaincid his plan of 

 a steam ram for harbor defence, the main feature of which is a shell in its 

 hitting front so arranged as to be driven with great force into the vessel 

 attacked, and when the ram is in the act of being withdrawn the shell is 

 thereby fired. After the fehell is discharged, the prow point is raised up, 

 and another shell is placed upon it, and the ram is ready for another attack. 



Mr. Dibben was of opinion that Mr. Mattison's invention could not be 

 better than a gun placed low in the prow of a vessel, to be fired the instant 

 the ram struck the enemy. He believed if the ram should run fast enough 

 to penetrate the enemy's vessel before the shell was exploded, there was 

 in reality no need of the shell, for the act of penetrating the vessel had 

 insured its destruction. The vessel should be made to run twenty-five 

 miles an hour, and when it struck the side of any vessel yet built, it would 

 break it in; moreover, he objected to any hinges or joints in an apparatus 

 that was subject to such strain as would arise by the collision of two im- 

 mense iron clad vessels; all such adjustments would be torn oif and the 

 vessel would then be simply a ram. 



After some further discussion upon the merits of Mr. Mattison's inven- 

 tion, the regular subject, " The Use of Steam Expansively," was taken up. 



