426 Progress of Mechanical Science. [Sept. 



both the propelling wheels iuto action, when the full power of the engine is re- 

 quired, was broken at the outset, yet that on his return he performed the last 84 

 miles from Melksham to Crawford Bridge in 10 hours, including stoppages. Mr. 

 Gurney has given to the committee very full details of the form and power of his 

 engine, which will be found in his evidence. The committee have also examined 

 Messrs. Summers and Ogle, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Stone, whose steam carriages 

 have been in daily use for some months past on common roads. It is very satis- 

 factory to rind, that although the boilers of several engines described vary most 

 materially in form, yet that each has been found fully to answer the expectation 

 of its inventor ; so well in fact have their experiments succeeded, that in each case, 

 where the proprietors have ceased to use them, it Las only been for the purpose of 

 constructing more perfect carriages, in order to engage more extensively in the 

 business. 



When we consider that these trials have been made under the most unfavoura- 

 ble circumstances, at great expense, in total uncertainty, without any of those 

 o-uides which experience has given to other branches of engineering, — that those 

 engaged in makiDg them are persons looking solely to their own interests, and 

 not theorists, attempting the perfection of ingenious modes ; when we find them 

 convinced after long experience that they are now introducing such a mode of 

 conveyance as shall tempt the public by its superior advantages from the use of 

 the admirable lines of coaches which have beeu generally established, it surely 

 cannot be contended that the introduction of steam carriages on common roads is 

 merely an uncertain experiment unworthy of legislative attention. 



Beside the carriages already described, Mr. Gurney has been informed, that 

 from twenty to forty others are being built by different persons, all of which have 

 been occasioned by his decided journey in 1829. 



The committee have great pleasure in calling the attention of the house to the 

 evidence of Mr. Farey. His opinions are the more valuable from his uniting, in so 

 great a degree, scientific knowledge to a practical acquaintance with the subject 

 under consideration. He states, that he " has no doubt whatever but that a steady 

 perseverance in such trials will lead to the general adoption of steam carriages ;" 

 and again, " that what has been done proves to his satisfaction, the practicability of 

 propelling stage coaches (b'y steam) on good common roads, in tolerably level 

 parts of the country, without horses, at a speed of 8 or 10 miles per hour." 



Much of course must remain to be done in improving their efficiency, yet Mr. 

 Gurney states that he has kept up steadily the rate of 12 miles per hour ; that the 

 " extreme rate at which he has run is between 20 and 30 miles an hour." 



Mr. Hancock "reckons that with his carriage he could keep up a speed of 10 

 miles per hour without injury to the machine." 



Mr. Ogle states, " that his experimental carriage went from London to South- 

 ampton in some places at a velocity of from 30 to 35 miles an hour. 



" That they have ascended a hill, rising 1 in 6, at 16§ miles an hour, and four 

 miles of the London road, at the rate of 21§ miles per hour, loaded with people. 



" That his engine is capable of carrying three tons weight in addition to 

 its own." 



Mr. Summers adds, " that they have travelled in the carriage at the rate of 15 

 miles per hour with 19 persons in the carriage up a hill 1 in 12. 



" That he has continued for 4§ hours to travel at the rat? of 30 miles per hour. 



