* 



Anthracite Coal Applied to General Steam Poiver. "73 



naces, and other mechanical arrangements. The necessity of 

 increasing the flame, induced them to try many experiments. 

 The introduction of steam was resorted to, and succeeded to a 

 great extent. These experiments were made in July, 1829. 



The history of Mr. WetherilPs improvement is remarkable for 

 its simplicity. In the early part of 1829, to obviate the incon- 

 venience arising from the dust when the cinders were riddled, 

 water was thrown on them, and the cinders being very hot, the 

 water was decomposed, and the effete residuum of the coal gave 

 out more flame than the anthracite when first ignited. Mr. 

 Wetherill, who is a good practical Chemist, and who, like every 

 body else, had often witnessed the effect resulting from water 

 thrown upon fire, without attending much to it, saw now what 

 a useful application could be made of it. Accordingly, when the 

 flame is low in his bed of coal, he, by means of a small pipe 

 connected with his boiler, which is led under the grate of his 

 furnace, passes a stream of steam into the hot coals, which is 

 decomposed, and the hydrogen, when it reaches the top, be- 

 comes a powerful flame, that can be regulated by the quantity 

 of steam admitted. When the cock of the pipe is stopped, the 

 flame dies away, when it is turned, it revives. 



G)nsidering it probable, that this method of producing the in- 

 flammable principle, will effectually cure the inherent deficiency 

 of non-bituminous coals for the generation of steam power, we 

 regard it as leading to ulterior consequences of primary import- 

 ance to the coal interest, and the useful arts. We especially 

 look to steam navigation, as likely to derive immediate profit from 

 it. There is no known fuel of which vessels can carry so great 

 a burden, as of anthracite coal. One of the great objections to 

 marine steam navigation will be thus overcome. We encourage 

 the hope, therefore, that marine steam navigation, which, from 

 various causes is slow in establishing itself, will, ere long, be uni- 

 versally successful, and that the steady velocities of rail-road 

 communication, may be transferred, in a great extent, to navi- 

 gation. Ere this takes place, we think it probable, a revolution 

 will be effected in the forms of vessels, and that the perpendicular 

 sides of ships, necessary to give room to the machinery of masts 

 and sails, will be abandoned for improved constructions, consistent 

 with perfect safety, and peculiarly fitted for steam navigation. 

 Vessels as they are now constructed, present perpendicular sides 



Vol. I.— 10. 



