XLII. NORMAN SBLFE. 



Blackall," built at Mort's Dock. As some indication of the 

 increased importance of this branch of engineering, it may be 

 mentioned that although the author has been for some years 

 engaged in other branches of engineering, yet he has personally 

 been responsible for the design of the hull or machinery or both, 

 of over fifty steam vessels of different sizes. Of these the most 

 notable no doubt, as marking eras in steam navigation, were the 

 double ended screw ferry boat "Wallaby," awarded the first 

 premium in a competition, and the torpedo vessels "Acheron" and 

 "Avernus." The Parliament of New South Wales voted £8,000 

 in the year 1877 for the construction of two torpedo launches, and 

 the matter was placed in the author's hands with practically only 

 one condition, which was that he was to make the best design 

 possible to fit the money available, and so carefully was this done 

 that the contract price paid to the Atlas Company was .£4,125 

 each, or three per cent, over amount proposed. These boats floated 

 to the calculated draft within a quarter of an inch, and they 

 attained a speed of fifteen knots which was thought a great triumph 

 at the time, however insignficant it may appear now, and yet both 

 the marine and railway shops of the colony had to be searched for 

 materials before they could be built. As a matter of fact, Mort's 

 Dock Company can produce a mail boat, and the Eveleigh Rail- 

 way Works can construct a locomotive of the highest class, under 

 the elaborate systems and special appliances now existing, without 

 taxing their resources as much as was required for most simple 

 engineering operations, at the time the author commenced his 

 career with Messrs. P. N. Russell and Company. 



The reference to locomotives reminds us that our first railway 

 was opened in 1855, when bullock teams were common in George- 

 street, and the leading hotels had great drinking troughs, hollowed 

 out of tree trunks. The first locomotives imported were landed 

 at Moore's Wharf, and hauled by winches up to the top of Miller's- 

 Road. Many engines have now been made in the colony, and 

 Messrs. Vale & Co., who have constructed between sixty and 

 seventy locomotives, startled the Sydney people a few years ago 



