OEDINARY OSCILLATING PADDLE-WHEEL ENGINES. 31 



economy exceeded my greatest expectations, and brings voiy 

 forcibly before one what can be done by compounding. Tliis 

 resnlt was deemed higbly satisfactory, and has enabled the 

 vessel to compete succcssfally "with those of a more modern 

 type, and to retain her place on the line in which, through 

 all weathers and at all seasons, she has established for her- 

 self a favourable and widespread reputation. 



I am afraid this bare statement of facts docs not afford 

 much ground for discussion, but there is one point in con- 

 nection with this subject upon which I should like to hear 

 your remarks, viz., How is it that marine engineers have 

 been allowed to get so far in advance of the locomotive and 

 stationary engine builders. For whereas marine engineers 

 and shipowners have been enjoying the benefits of the com- 

 pound system for the last twenty-five years, have in fact 

 been getting their indicated horse power for an average 

 expenditure of 2 lbs. of c;oal per hour, and even this system 

 is now almost obsolete witli. them, for engines on the triple 

 and quadruple expansion principle are rapidly displacing 

 the ordinary compounds, giving an indicated horse power 

 for an average consumption of 1|- lbs. per hour ; on the 

 other hand our railway directors and manufacturers are 

 still for the most part contented to give 5 or 6 lbs. of coal 

 for their indicated liorse power. Surely mechanical engi- 

 neering should not bo in the depressed condition it is in at 

 present with such a field for economy before it. 



If quadruple expansion was applied to our locomotives, it 

 should result in the quadruple expansion of dividends, and 

 shareholders should get dividends of 20 per cent, instead 

 of 6 per cent., with which they seem now quite content. 



