THE 
THCHNOLOG IST: 
A RECORD OF SCIENCE. 
re 
SEPTEMBER, 1866. 
—o0-—_ 
RUTHVEN’S HYDRAULIC PROPELLER. 
N carrying out the intention expressed by us in our last 
| number, of making the TECHNOLOGIST a Record of 
Science in its practical aspect, we beg to draw the atten- 
tion of our readers to the above invention, which must 
effect quite a revolution in the propelling power of vessels. 
The idea of propelling vessels by water is not by any 
means a new one, many attempts having been made, but 
all unsuccessfully, until, in 1839, Mr. Ruthven, an engineer 
of Edinburgh, invented the apparatus now under notice. 
Under the patent which was then obtained, two small 
vessels were constructed, one of nine feet long, with steam 
power, and, in 1844, another of forty feet. These vessels 
were exhibited, and attracted a great deal of attention at 
the time, and were very highly spoken of. Being brought 
under the notice of the Admiralty, by officers of the N avy, 
the Admiralty requested permission to inspect and experi- 
ment on the last-named vessel, and a report, which was 
highly favourable, was made on her performances by Mr. 
Murray, the present chief engineer of Portsmouth Dock- 
yard. But, notwithstanding this, the exertions made by 
the inventor to get his invention taken up were entirely 
unsuccessful. The facts of the case being that few ap-. 
peared to know anything of the principles upon which the 
vessel was propelled, scientific and practical people being 
alike opposed to it. 
But, nothing daunted, our inventor, after effecting some 
improvements upon certain parts of the apparatus, had 
NEW SERIES.—VOL. I. F 
