54 EVOI^UTION OF SCREW PROPULSION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



The success of the experiment on the George W. Clyde was greater 

 than we expected, and we concluded to build compound engines and not 

 consider any other type in our business as builders of complete steamships. 



Mr. Clyde was never backward in joining in any new device of merit 

 when recommended by parties in whom he had confidence. 



Mr. B. H. Bartol, who had been a partner of Merrick & Sons, had also 

 become a convert to the superiority of the compound engine, and afterwards 

 was a prominent factor in its introduction. 



pe;nnsylvania, ohio, Indiana and il,unois. 



When a new Philadelphia company was started in 1871 in connection 

 with the Pennsylvania Railroad to build a line of steamers to Liverpool, 

 Mr. Bartol, on account of his business ability and his experience in steam- 

 ship matters, particularly in matters relating to engineering, was made a 

 director of the company and chairman of the committee to provide for 

 the new ships. 



He stated to me that, notwithstanding that we had every chance of 

 getting the new ships, he would not agree to accept any device in con- 

 struction except those of the most approved type, and he agreed that his 

 company should pay us $10,000 in the investigation of everything new in 

 steamship construction, particularly as to getting all the facts pertaining 

 to the compound type of engines in Great Britain. Mr. Wilson and I 

 made an exhaustive trip, beginning at Birkenhead and ending at Glasgow. 

 As we passed on from one place to another, we found a majority against 

 the compound, which afterwards determined us in favor of it. We soon 

 discovered that the opposition to it was owing to the fact that the change 

 of type would entail a great expense — all of their drawings would have to 

 be changed, their patterns would be worthless and a great loss would be 

 incurred, as they did not beUeve the benefits said to be derived from the 

 new departure would reimburse them for their losses. 



When we arrived at the Fairfield Works of Mr. John Elder, we saw 

 and were permitted to examine thirteen compound engines in various stages 

 of finish, and after we had been entertained by the members of the firm we 

 departed at once for Philadelphia, having spent half of the ten thousand, 

 and reported favorably to Mr. Bartol, who promptly executed the con- 

 tracts for the Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. 



Mr. Wilson and I were received with uniform kindness and politeness 

 at every shipyard in Great Britain, and every opportunity was given us 

 to investigate everything that each had done; if our trip had been a royal 



