494 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[DfiC Xft 1903. 
— I — ~ 
the effect atso-tjf'faising the back pressure. Discharg- 
ing the gases betow the waterline, a device sometimes 
adopted for deadening the noise, and keeping the dis- 
charge where it will not be noticed, also increases the 
back pressure as do the numerous unnecessary bends in 
the exhaust line that may often be found when th^ in- 
stallation has been carelessly made< 
In appearance the many makes of gasolene engines 
are not dissimilar, and one becomes familiar Avith them 
through the illustrations crowding the advertising pages 
of all the present publications, even if not having had 
any actual experience with the engines themselves. A 
cut, Plate No. i, is shown of an engine of the two-cycle 
tyne, manufactured by H. J. Leighton, of Syracuse, and 
two. Plates Nos. 2 and 3, of a. new design four-cycle 
engine, made by the U. S. Long Distance Automobile 
Company, called the Standai'd Motor. The inclosed 
crank case of the two-cycle is clearly contrasted with 
the steam engine effect of the four-cycle machine, al- 
though in certain four-cycle engines the crank space is 
inclosed b}'- a non-air tight case to confine the smoke 
from heated oil, etc., the air supply being taken from 
this space. The 120 H. P, Leighton and the 110 H. P. 
Standard engines appearing in the illustrations, are 
familiar to all those interested in the sport of racing 
power boats, both being installed in very fast hulls, 
the particulars of which will be given later. 
As the Standard engine in question was placed before 
•the public for the first time this summer, being the out- 
come of years of experience in such work by the Riotte 
brothers, and as it possesses many novel features, and 
is considered to be one-of the most rational and well- 
w'drked out gasolene engines now on the market, a de- 
scription of its principal points of interest will be 
given. The cuts show the general construction very 
plainlj'. The six cj^linders are each of 8 inches in 
diameter by lo-inch stroke, and are cast in groups of 
three, bohed together in the middle. The valve chests 
are bolted to the back or starboard side of the engine, 
and contain the inlet and exhaust valves with their 
controlling rods. The engine bed consists of heavy 
fore-and-aft rolled sections to which are bolted the 
cast steel cross framing carrying the bearings. The 
engine columns are forged and cross braced, and the 
whole, with the exception of the 24-inch fly-wheel, is 
not nnlike a marine steam engine in appearance. 
The weight of engine, as shown in the illustration, is 
3,200 pounds, a very heavy weight when compared with 
automobile engines, but not excessive for marine work, 
particularly when one realizes the enormous saving in 
the weight of boilers and auxiliaries necessary for a 
steam plant and not i-equired for gasolene. The length 
over the bed, including fly-wheel, is 77in., and the 
height from bottom of flj^-wheel to top of cylinder 
heads is 5oin. The starboard side shows the large ex- 
haust leads running from the bottom of the valve chests 
down to the main exhaust line, which runs aft to the 
muffler in the stern of the boat. The supply pipe is 
seen in this view running along the top of the cylinders, 
the inlet from the vaporizer joining this lead opposite 
the second cylinder from the fly-wheel end of shaft; 
the vaporizer does not appear in the cut, but is situated 
in the boat directly below this inlet. At the after end 
of the shaft is shown a pump which supplies com- 
pressed air to a reservoir in which the pressure is car- 
ried at about 150 pounds. This compressed air is used 
lor starting engines and manipulating them in close 
quarters being led into a supplj'- pipe controlled by a 
throttle feeding the three forward cylinders, just below 
the gas supply. The main cam shaft (which is the upper 
shaft with a pinion at one end) and the auxiliary cam 
shaft (the shorter one below the main shaft) control 
the inlet and exhaust valves for vapor and compressed 
air, respectively, by means of cams, the main cani shaft 
being rotated by a two-bo-one worm and miter gear 
from the engine shaft. These shafts each have two 
sets of cams, one for ahead work, the other for re- 
versal, a motion, of translation along their axes per- 
mitting either set to be in action as desired. • - 
A horizontal, lever working :over a notched quadrant 
controls this motion of the cam shafts and also the 
compression valves, while a continuation bej^ond the 
fulcrum closes the sparking circuit when thrown hard 
over either way. The valve to the compressed air 
reservoir being open the engine will start- up ahead or 
astern when the horizontal lever is moved from the 
center notch on the quadrant to the nrsfnotch to' star- 
board or port, respectively, the compression being re- 
leased when the lever is- moved from the central position 
cither way. The engine can now be run for a con- 
siderable time under the air pressure, which is carried 
at 150. pounds, -while 5 pounds is sufficient to turn over 
with no compression. A vertical lever close at hand 
regulates the timing of the spark, and the throttle to 
the gas supply which works over a calibrated arc is near 
the latter. The needle valve at vaporizer being set, 
and the horizontal lever being thrown over to the ex- 
treme notch on the quadrant, the engine commences to 
run as a gas engine, the rate of turning being directly 
controlled by the spark lever and gas throttle, and the 
direction of rotation depciiding on which side of the 
quadrant the lever is set. Thus the operations of start- 
mg and stopping are very similar to those" required in 
the control of a steam engine; the cam shaft and air 
and gas lever corresponding to l]ie valve gear, and the 
speed regulating devices corresponding tb the .thrbttle. 
After a considerable experience with "this engine, I 
have not once seen or heard of its failing to function 
promptly and properly when called upon, and believe 
that the control is most satisfactory. The manner in 
which the builders handle the boat in tight places 
around the water front is conclusive evidence of their 
confidence in the arrangement. The water circulating 
pump IS under the air pump, and supplies the jackets 
through the riser shown between the. two central cylin- 
ders on the port side with a branch to each cylinder 
The jacket circulation escapes into the exhaust pipes 
through small tubes extending some six inches down 
into these pipes, thus cooling the exhaust line. All the 
mechanical details of the engine-are carefully wbrkeci 
out, the bearing surfaces are large and well lubricated, - 
the parts of the several cylinders are interchange- 
able. The engine r\ms with ^la^ost s. complete ^b^ence 
of vibration, merely a scarcely perceptible tremor, and 
the fact that continuous running during the process of 
stopping and reversing, as well as the necessity for 
friction clutch and gear or feathering wheel are done 
away with, and complete control secured with rotation 
of the shaft in either direction without the use of gear- 
ing, are ail points much to the credit of this engine. 
The most interesting phase perhaps up to the presettt 
of gasolene engine use has been in the various types 
of racing launches, and a description of a few of these 
will not be out of place. Mr. H. T. Leighton, the man- 
ufacturer and designer of the 120 H. P. two-cycle engine 
shown in the illustration, has turned out a great num- 
ber of very fast boats. The Adios, in which the engine 
just mentioned is installed, is his highest powered 
boat, and is credited with a speed of over 24 miles an 
hour. An official test over measured mile gave her 23 
miles and a fraction, and since then her performance 
has been improved. Her particulars are: 
Length — 
Over all ssft, oin. 
L.W.L. 55 ft. oin. 
Beam at L.W.L , 5ft. 6in. 
thgs. The upper and lower members of these trusses are 
cf wood of substantial dimensions, and the compression 
members are of gas-pipe, the cross bracing being made 
of several strands of steel wire, twisted to produce the 
required tension by means of a mgtal rod lashed tO pfe- 
vent the twist eonliilg 6ilt, and allowing adjustment if 
required. As stated, the hull is sufficiently rigid to with- 
.'-tand the strains produced without undue distortion, but 
the extreme thinness of Avood between one's self ;ind the 
water, when driving at high speeds, is an unpleasant 
Fubject of thought, when the effect of running into any 
floating spar or wreckage is considered. About the only 
trouble experienced with this hull has been the tendency 
of the planks to buckle, as there is no way of taking up 
ihe expansion, the seams being a neat fit. As the plank 
k screwed on it can be removed when required arid thte 
Seams and edges eased off. 
The success of the flat-Sterned launches with the eett- 
ter of gravity of the load water plane well aft has led 
to many peculiaf developments in the way of freak de- 
signs, with some of which remarkable results have been 
obtained. 
Western Ice Yaehtinf* 
The engine makes 475 R.P.M., and the wheel is 3- 
hladed, with 32in. diameter and 72in. pitch, From this it 
will be seen that her performance is excellent. Photo- 
graphs, Plates Nos. 8 and 9, are reproduced showing the 
wave formation from a broad side and a stern view, 
taken at about 23 miles, and show remarkably litlle dis- 
turbance of any kind, and prove that the design is a good 
one for the given conditions. Two additional Leighton 
launches are 
ZAZA. 
Length 35ft. oin. 
Beam 5ft. 4in. 
Speed 18 miles 
IH.P 25 
PINK. 
Length 22ft. oin. 
Beam 4ft. oin. 
Speed 14.8 miles 
LH.P. 7 
All of these launches are more or less on the conven- 
tional flat-stern torpedo-boat model, and the approximate 
lines of the Adios arc shown in Plate No. 4, the others 
not being dissimilar in general character. 
The most conspicuous power boat in the neighborhood 
of New York harbor at the present is the Standard, in 
which is installed the engine of the same name previously 
described at some length. Her speed is somewhat prob- 
lematical, her builders not having been satsfied with the 
wheels used this season and not having wished there- 
fore to run her over an official course. Judging from 
what has been seen of her performance it is safe to say 
that she can run along very handily at 20 miles, and 
probably will reach 22 with a proper wheel. Her particu- 
lars are : 
Length on waterline 58ft. oin. 
Beam extreme 7ft. 6in. 
LH.P. no 
R. P. M. about 400 
Two photographs are reproduced, Plates Nos. 10 and 
Ti, which show clearly the small wave disturbance pro- 
duced by this hull, the flat wake being most noticeable, 
as well as slight bow wave and change of trim. The 
approximate lines of this launch also are shown, Plate 
No. S.^^i'^d are worthy of notice, as is also her construc- 
tion. This launch was designed and built by the Marine 
Conslri-cticn and Dry Dock Company, of Staten Island, 
to whom I am indebted for the drawing given. The gen- 
eral form of this launch is not unlike that used by Nor- 
mand in his high speed work, and undoubtedly is well 
adapted to the purpose, as it drives well both in smooth 
and rough water. 
The contour below the waterline is nearly straight 
from the greatest depth at Ihe forefoot to the bottom of 
the transom aft, the necessary lateral plane for steady 
steering being secured by a false deadwood. The stern 
is chopped off straight up and down, the transom being 
wedge-shaped, which seems to have the effect of making 
a vessel leave the water more cleanly than the square- 
acrcss transom. All the sections, except those well for- 
ward, where considerable flare is given to make her dry, 
are quite round, and the center of gravity of the ]oah- 
watcr plane is well aft of the center of length. Her de- 
sign is not in any sense extreme, and her lines could be 
used to advantage in larger vessels. 
On .a recent run to Nyack and back from the Columbia 
Y. C, in half a gale of wind, the water being very rough, 
particularly in the shallows near Nj^ack, the trip up and 
back, about 40 miles, was covered at an average rate of 
aljout tg miles per hour; this with the engines somewhat 
throttled down. Under these trying conditions she be- 
haved remarkably well. The engine required no attention 
whatever from start to finish, notwithstanding the heavv 
strain imposed upon it by driving through the seas, and 
the constantly varying load as the seas passed under her 
counter. The hull proved exceptionally dry under the 
circi'mstances, and there was no difiiculty'in steering, 
even with a quartering' sea. No evidences of distortion 
of the hull while driving hard in a seaway have been 
noticed, although the construction is exceedingly light, 
as will be seen from the detailed description that followt.. 
Tliere are three small cockpits about four feet wide, 
being used for steering, engine space, and passengers, 
respectively, commencing forward. One gasolene tank is 
carried forward in the peak compartment and another aft 
of the engine compartment. The method of construction 
is novel. The planking is of 3-i6in. mahogany, worked 
in one thickness in planks about iiin. wide, flush. The 
seams of these planks are centered on fore-and-aft strips 
about 2in. by lin,, each plank edge being secured to these 
strips by brass wood screws, let in flush and closely 
spaced. The timbers are spaced Sin. centers except to- 
ward . the ends where the spacing is more open. They 
each consist of. ^ two narrow steamed oak strips about 
%in. by ^Xin., one on each side of the longitudinal strips, 
being let into and secured to these strips. Rigidity is 
given to the hull in a fore-and-aft direction by a truss 
f i^W^B along each side of the line of tf)e cockpit coan|T 
The ice yachtsmen along- the lakes are beginning to 
get busy. FoF some time past, a number of prominent 
Cleveland ice yachtsmen have been discussing a new 
boat that has been purchased by Mr. D. Perkins. She 
is one of the fastest yachts that has ever sailed the 
lakes, and for three years was invincible at Put-In-Bay, 
where she was formerly owned. Gee Whiz has beetl 
placed in commission; Mr. Wm. Shipman is fitting out 
Jack Frost, and Newell Bros, are at work geetillg 
Queen Lil in shape. Mr. Earl Van Scoit will have his 
new boat in shape within a few days, and Mr. Wm. 
Devereux, who has been hard at work for two months 
past, will be in the game within two weeks. 
Detroit yachtsmen are also preparing for a succea,^- 
ful season, and the river is already frozen 4in. thick. 
By the time the sport is on in earnest there will be fifty 
boats sailing on the river_ and Lake St. Clair The 
Detroit Y. C. is building six new boats, which will be 
ready for delivery within a week or ten days. They are 
being built under the direction of Messrs. Andrew 
Kramer and Casper Schmidt. Among those building 
are Capt. Rogers, Messrs. Matt Kramer, Archie 
Michie, Chas. Bray and P. Moran, making a total of 
eleven new boats in this club. 
The yachtsmen of Kalamazoo are actively at work 
and will soon be ready. Its annual regatta will be held 
from Jan. 19 to 23, inclusive. The following schedule 
has been announced: 
First Race — International Championship, 450 sq. ft. 
canvas limit; best three out of five heats, without 
handicap. The Hearst International Championshin, 
presented to the ice yachtsmen of America by W. R. 
Hearst. 
Second Race- — International Championship, 859 sq. ft. 
canvas limit; best three out of five, without handicap. 
Third Race — Michigan State Championship, 850 sq, 
ft, canvas limit, without handicap. 
Fourth Race — Sweepstakes, $150 purse, divided in $60, 
$40, $30 and $20. Handicap race free for all. 
Fifth Race — Consolation race, $50 purse, divided $25, 
$15 and $10. Handicap race, free for all who have not 
won any prize. One heat. 
C. W. Schmidt, Jr. 
Coltimbia Y. G 
The Columbia Y. C, of Chicago, held its annual 
election Saturday, Dec. 5. Mr. Fred. A. Price, owner 
of the racing yachts Vencedor and Little Shamrock, 
was chosen Commodore; Charles E. Soule, owner of 
yawl Naiad, Vice-Commodore; Henry R. Davies, owner 
of Iroquois, Rear-Commodore; Louis T. Braun, was 
re-elected Secretary; M. H. Hickey, owner of Iris, 
Treasurer, and J. F. Adams, owner of Columbia, and C. 
J. Duggan were selected to act as directors with the 
commodore, secretary and treasurer. 
The coming season will be formally opened May 28, 
and will be continued well into October. The principal 
events being the Michigan City race, June 11, this be- 
ing tlae thirteenth annual; the open regatta, July 2 and 
4; Lake Michigan Y. A. annual meet at Macatawa, 
Jujy 29 and 30, and the race of too miles across Lake 
Michigan from Chicago to Macatawa, starting at 7 
P. M. Friday, July 22; the Sir Thomas J. Lipton Com- 
petitive cup races, Aug. 13, 14 and 15; the races for 
the Tbos. H. Webb cups, and the McGuire cup, dates 
for which have not yet been set, and the great meets 
at Detroit from Sept. 5 to 12. The Detroit Y-. C. hold- 
ing its annual fall regatta on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 
■5; the Country Club holding a match race on the fore- 
noons of the 6th, 7th and 8th for its crack inland laker 
Red Coat, the successful . Seawanhaka cup defender, 
now owned by Russell Alger, Jr. and the Columbia 
Y. C.'s Pats, owned by Wm. Lorimer, Jr., and which 
• won third place at the Inland Lake meet, held at Osh- 
kosh, Wisconsin, last August, and in the afternoons of 
the same dates the races of the 20ft. cabin class for 
the Country Club Competitive Cup, for which event the 
entire Columbia Y. C.'s fleet of 21-footers are to start. 
On the lOth the Country Club will pull off their an- 
nual fall regatta, and on the 12th the Detroit Y. C. will 
• hold their great annual sweepstakes, for which the 
Vencedor will compete. The Country Club is trying 
to arrange a match between the Vencedor and Ironde- 
quoit, of Rochester. Com. Price has already consented 
to arrange such an event, and it is now up to Com. 
Van Vorhees, of Rochester, to complete arrangements. 
The regular fall regatta will probably not be held un- 
til Saturday, Oct. 1, in order to keep up the interest in 
- the racing game "until late in the season. ' ■ ; ■ ' 
The little 'tramp steamer Scythian that Miss Susan" de 
Forest Day-used as a yacht for several years, .has been 
sold to .the^Haytian "Government and is now being con- 
verted into a gun boat. The vessel will receive her arma- 
ment in New York, where she now is, an4 afterward 
will proceed to Porf au fnn^^; _ ^ 
1- 
