Ocean Wave Potuer Machinery. 153 



that the maximum power derivable on tliis principle is 

 limited ultimately only by the strength of materials.* 



Be it remembered that this vast power is most active and 

 available precisely in those emergencies when it is most 

 needed, when human effoi-t is futile and a vessel is at the 

 mercy of the waves. If indeed we consider the effect of a 

 sluggish stream upon a water-mill and compare the ceaseless 

 progress of the waves of the ocean, the various uses to 

 which the huge power conserved in them could be applied, 

 it may surely be regarded as remarkable that a power, 

 probably the gTcatest and most universally spread in the 

 world, should remain unapplied, and that fleets of vessels 

 should be annuall}^ destroyed by the very force which can 

 be employed to their preservation. 



Ocean wave-power in itself is the aggregated force of the 

 winds instead of their direct force as represented in sail- 

 power, and the advantages sought to be obtained in its 

 application are : 1st. That the power is more continuous and 

 reliable than the direct action of the winds or of sail power ; 

 it having been conclusively proved that on the oj)e)i ocean 

 wave action never ceases during the most continued calms of 

 wind. 2nd. That, constituting a compromise between sail 

 and steam-power, its adoption would reduce very considerably 

 the cost of heavy and expensive rigging. 3rd. That its 

 action is independent of contrariety of winds. 4th. The 

 average actual power is greater than in the direct action of 

 the winds : it being an essential distinction that whereas 

 sail power employs surface to catch the force, this, viz. the 

 indirect or automatic application of wave power engages 



* The idea of utilising ocean wave power is almost as old as the present 

 century ; and vessels have been repeatedly saved from foundering by its 

 mearjs. The power in such cases has been derived from the direct action of 

 the waves by means of spars or moving frames placed overboard, and taking 

 advantage of the vertical oscillations of the waves. It is obvious that, apart 

 from the generally impracticable character of such arrangement, the power 

 is proportional only to the section of the float or frame employed ; the 

 essential distinction of the present application being that the apparatus 

 is wholly within board or automatic, and tlie power is derived from the 

 forces acting upon the entire vessel. 



Notwithstanding these signal advantages, some of the old plans have 

 been revived since attention was drawn to the subject by the present writer; 

 and previous instances of automatic appliances have been cited ; the latter, 

 however, in apparent ignorance of the nature and source of power, and 

 therefore applying only a part of the [irinciple. In point of fact the force 

 is and oJwaijs Im?, htcen used constantly by seamen empirically. Every seaman 

 knowK, for instance, the right moment when to run in with the slacking 

 strain on a rope — and the mere lowerii g of a cask to the lee side affords a 

 practical exemplication. 



