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PROGRESS OF SCIENCE 
AS APPLICABLE TO THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES ; TO COMMERCE 
AND TO AGRICULTURE. 
SUGGESTIONS ON THE NAVIGATION OF THE ATLANTIC BY STEAM. 
Before I enter upon the details of the 
system, which is essentially different from 
any in use, I shall state what I consider 
desiderata to this end, all of which I hope 
are obtained in the proposed plan, though I 
do not pretend to insinuate that I consider 
my plans so good that they may not be 
improved ; on the contrary, I think them ex- 
tremely imperfect, and, consequently, quite 
open to improvement. 
1 . The vessels to be used in this species of 
navigation to be made as light as possible, 
and to combine safety with sufficient room, 
and the least possible resistance to the 
water below load-line, and to the air or 
wind above that line. 
2. That these vessels shall be calculated 
principally for carrying passengers, and to 
carry but little baggage, and no ballast. 
3. That they be constructed of iron, not 
only on account of its great levity, but for 
the increased safety resulting from its non- 
combustibility. 
4. That these vessels be so rigged, that 
all the masts and rigging can with ease and 
facility be taken in, so that the least wind 
draft will exist when the wind is adverse ; 
and that when the wind is favourable, the 
greatest spread of sail can be made with 
ease and rapidity, and with perfect safety, 
though the vessel is without ballast, properly 
so called. 
5. That material and weight be econo- 
mised as much as possible in the composi- 
tion of boilers, engine, ship’s furniture and 
stores, boats, &c. ; and that the necessity of 
taking any supply of water for the voyage be 
entirely dispensed with, by the use of a 
species of fuel, hereafter to be described, 
which will constantly by its combustion pro- 
duce an abundant supply of pure, whole- 
some water, thereby avoiding the dead loss 
of so much freight, which in ships intended 
for a long voyage is very considerable. 
6. That one paddle be used instead of 
two, which must be placed so that it may be 
in or near the centre of the motion of the 
whole mass, and thereby always nearer a 
grip of the water, though the vessel herself 
may roll and pitch considerably. The posi- 
tion, and arrangement, and construction of 
the paddle to be such, that it cannot be too 
deeply immersed in the water, so as to do 
little or no good, which is so often the case 
in our steamers in rough seas. 
7. The paddle to be so constructed that 
it can be entirely withdrawn from the water, 
so that it will not be in the way, when the 
sails without the steam can be used : a prac- 
tice which would be economical, and give 
the engineers time to clean and repair the 
machinery, Sec. 
These are the principal requisites neces- 
sary to be obtained ; some minor peculiari- 
ties shall be glanced at hereafter, which 
