172 REPORT—1863. 
On Improvements in Machinery and Apparatus for Cleansing and Purifying 
Casks. By Rozert Davison, 
In the paper which the author read before the Association in the year 1849 on 
the “Desiccating Process,” he took occasion to mention its application to the 
urifying of brewers’ casks, one million having at that time undergone the process ; 
tee it had not been made clear that they had a previous operation performed on 
them—namely, that of cleansing—which was effected by machinery of peculiar 
construction, the first of which was introduced in 1845 by the author, in concert 
with Mr. W. Symington. These machines still continue in high repute; but there 
is, however, one objection—they are only calculated to cleanse one cask at a time. 
His new process is as follows :—The machine consists mainly of two circular discs, 
with an upright shaft or spindle in the centre, which has a screw at each end (the 
threads being cut right- and left-handed) ; the two discs have, likewise, each a cor- 
responding female screw, which, when turned round on the upright spindle (the 
same being temporarily fixed), it will be easy to see, will cause the dises to advance 
or recede from each other, according as they are turned to the right or left hand. 
Such is the mode by which the casks are secured or released from the machine— 
that is, by turning in one direction the casks are effectually secured between the 
two dises, by turning the reverse way they are released. Any number of casks which 
the bottom dise will contain, and even a second tier (if desired), can be fixed and 
afterwards cleansed at the one operation—say, two sets of five or ten casks. The 
best cleansing medium is found to be a small quantity of sharp shingle, along with 
two or three gallons of hot water. The time occupied in cleansing ordinary dirty 
casks is about five minutes. The author further states that he had found super- 
heated steam an excellent purifier of both new and old casks. 
On Improvements in Waggons and Gun-Carriages. By Grorce Fawcvs. 
ip Ig i] 
The author remarked that, during the present year, two serious accidents have 
happened from want of proper precautions when going down hill with heavy loads, 
namely, the fire-engine at Sydenham and the boiler-waggon at Preston in Lan- 
cashire. The plan now proposed is to combine a check to the tendency to run 
down hill when ascending or descending an incline road by a pawl actine ona 
pawl rim or toothed wheel on the inner naves or axles of the wheels. The teeth 
of the pawl wheels are directed inwards towards the centre of the waggon. When 
ascending, by dropping the paw] on the front wheels they travel forward, but cannot 
run back. In descending, the hinder wheels, when pawled, cannot run down hiil, 
but act as drags. This arrangement of pawls, &c., holds good if the waggon is 
intended to travel either end ,first without turning round. The pawls, &c., may 
also be applied to single or two-wheeled carts to prevent them running back when 
going up hill. Two single carts, thus fitted, and placed back to back, would form a 
good waggon. Applied to field-guns, the pawls would check the recoil of guns 
when firing, and the limber and gun-carriage wheels would act as one waggon. 
The suggestions of the author were illustrated by a model of a pontoon carriage, 
the wheels of which were fitted with pawls in the manner described. 
On a New Method of Constructing Boats. By Grorcr Fawcvs. 
The National Lifeboat Institution has done much to promote and encourage the 
preservation of life from shipwreck. The useful services of the lifeboats are 
limited to certain localities. After every due compliance with the requirements 
of the legislature, intended to provide every passenger-vessel from our shores with 
its own lifeboat, a passenger-vessel may yet be provided very inadequately with 
boats. Ships’ boats are very liable to be injured, and, when very large or heavy, 
are difficult to launch, and in moments of danger and confusion the difficulty is 
increased. With the proposed plan of boats, a passenger, emigrant, or troop-ship 
may easily carry sufficient boats for landing all on board at once, without more 
(perhaps with less) encroachment on the limited space on deck; and her boats, 
when packed as proposed, will mutually strengthen and protect each other from 
injury. The use of a large number of smaller or medium-sized boats which may 
