180 
A NEW MACHINE BY WHICH TO NAVIGATE THE ATLANTIC. 
being of a trifling character, need not here 
be insisted on. 
In sketching or describing the machine by 
which I propose to navigate the Atlantic by 
steam, many seamen would not feel disposed 
to call it a ship I shall merely premise that 
every part and parcel of it has already been 
proved by practice to be effective in attaining 
the end proposed, and that I merely put toge- 
ther different parts of machinery which 
every body knows, or may know, to be 
actually in use. I shall not attempt to state 
which is the very best shape for the different 
parts, or their best possible proportions. 
My outline is general ; it is not a working 
plan, which will require more heads than 
one to bring to perfection. 
For the sake of preventing repetition, and 
not occupying too much of your valuable 
space, I shall state in order the different 
means by which I propose to attain the 
ends to be desired, which are as above 
stated. 
1. Material to insure greatest lightness 
with greatest safety. Iron for the sheathing 
of bottom, and also cover over the deck, 
which might be considered as an extension 
of the hull’s sheathing, and would resemble 
the back of an immense turtle. The deck 
proper below this, and on to which the small 
cabins would open, to be covered with 
wooden planks, or if made of iron to be 
covered with cement. 
a. Such parts of the iron sheathing as 
would be below the occasional wash of salt 
water to be well cemented. The iron below 
water-line to be coated with copper, which 
should be left to the dissolving power of the 
sea, and, consequently, kept free from con- 
tract with any part of the iron, which should 
in all places be well cemented. 
b. The ribs and timbers of the vessel to b® 
made of iron and wood, according to their 
nature and position ; but in framing the ves- 
sel the greatest strength and elasticity of 
the parts to be attained. 
c. The vessel should be double, like the 
double steamers at the ferry in New York, 
or double proas of the Ladrone Islands. The 
last is the model after which I propose that 
part of the vessel under water should be 
built. They would, consequently, carry 
their greatest breadth under watery and 
slope from that upwards, gently rounding, so 
that at a distance, when the wind was 
adverse, an elongated dome, like the back of 
a whale or tortoise, would be alone seen 
above the surface of the sea. 
d. Such a shape as this described would 
oppose but little resistance to the wind and 
least to the water. 
e. And make accommodation for a very 
large paddle-wheel in the centre between 
the boats. 
f. The crew and engine to be completely 
confined to one of the twin -boats ; the other 
to be reserved for the exclusive use of the 
passengers; who might be allowed the recre- 
ation of a walk in fine weather on the ridge 
of the roof, the sides of which might be 
furnished with a temporary railing and 
netting. The roof to be furnished with 
ports or openings, bull’s-eyes, &c., to admit 
light and air, and properly secured windows. 
These openings to be all closed on the wea- 
ther side, when necessary. 
g. The boats to be without keels’ the flat 
sides of the opening between them, and in 
which the paddle works, being quite suf- 
ficient ; or if not, lee-boards to be used 
when necessary, like those used by the 
Dutch galliots. 
h. The bows of the vessels to be full, but 
not bluff, and to rise quite perpendicular 
above the water as high as the “ bead” of 
the sea, or boil, as we landsmen call it, and 
that the bend of the roof should there begin. 
A sharpness in the bows, both above and 
under water, is necessary, but all hollowing 
of the parts should be avoided. 
i. The two vessels to be firmly framed 
together, but no cross-timbers of the frame 
to be under the water-level. The transverse 
arch of the roof affords ample means for 
securing the two vessels perfectly safe in this 
respect. The arch of the roof, extending 
from stem to stern on the sides of the 
middle space, also offers every oppor- 
tunity to the carpenter for framing, as 
it were, a double back-bone, or frame, 
on the flat side of each boat, which 
shall not only hold the paddle firmly in 
its place, but also the working cylinders 
of the engine, and effectually s ecure the 
machine from injury in “ pitching,” which 
otherwise might endanger the whole of the 
fabric. 
k. The space between the boats to be as 
great as safety will permit, and the depth 
the least to which the hulls of each would 
sink. The first for the double purpose of 
affording the greatest breadth to the paddle, 
any also of giving greatest stability to the 
vessel when carrying sail, either before the 
wind, or on a wind, if the fire should fail, 
or any accident happen to the engine . 
l. Vessels so constructed require two 
rudders, one of which is attached to each 
half, and both connected by a very simple 
contrivance, which makes them both act 
with equal effect. 
m. The general proportions and bulk of 
a vessel of this construction will depend on 
