Life and Character of Robert FultonCarter and Hendee, 1839 - 120 pages |
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afterwards anchored appears application of steam ascertained attached attempts attention blew boat brig calculations canal carcasses catgut character of Fulton chinery clockwork lock Columbiad column of water Commodore Rogers constructed contrivances deck defence discharged discovery effect engaged engine England English experiment exposed favor feet fifteen minutes Fitch force four France French genius of Fulton gentlemen Governor's Island gunpowder harbor of Brest House of Peers improvements individual invention inventor labors least legislature Livingston long spar Lord Castlereagh Lord Melville Lord Sidmouth Lord Stanhope machine machinery means mechanics men at large ment miles an hour motion moved never number of citizens object observed occasion passed patent Philadelphia pieces Pitt port practical propelled proposed prove purpose Redheffer river river Seine ROBERT FULTON sails seen ship sloop of war Society soon steam-boat submarine navigation success surface suspended tion torpedo twenty vessel Walmar wheels yards York York legislature
Popular passages
Page 81 - The minds of the most incredulous were changed in a few minutes. Before the boat had made the progress of a quarter of a mile, the greatest unbeliever must have been converted. The man who, while he looked on the expensive machine. thanked his stars that he had more wisdom than to waste his money on such idle schemes, changed the expression of his features as the boat moved from the wharf and gained her speed; his complacent smile gradually stiffened into an expression of wonder.
Page 81 - The jeers of the ignorant, who had neither sense nor feeling enough to suppress their contemptuous ridicule and rude jokes, were silenced for a moment by a vulgar astonishment, which deprived them of the power of utterance, till the triumph of genius extorted from the incredulous multitude which crowded the shores, shouts and acclamations of congratulation and applause.
Page 105 - But if we have not succeeded in steering the balloon, and even were it impossible to attain that object, the case is different with the Diving-boat, which can be conducted under water in the same manner as upon the surface. It has the advantage of sailing like a common boat, and also of diving when it is pursued. With these qualities it is fit for carrying secret orders to succour a blockaded port, and to examine the force and position of an enemy in their own harbours.
Page 108 - In fact her annihilation was complete, and the effect was most extraordinary. The power, as I had calculated, passed in a right line through her body, that being the line of least resistance, and carried all before it. At the time of her going up, she did not appear to make more resistance than a bag of feathers, and went to pieces like a shattered eggshell.
Page 89 - A description and draught of a new invented Machine for carrying Vessels or Ships out of or into any Harbour, Port, or River, against Wind and Tide, or in a calm, by Jonathan Hulls, 1737, reprint in fac-simile, 12mo, half morocco, reduced to 2s.
Page 80 - M'Neven, to whom we are indebted for some account of what passed on this occasion. Nothing could exceed the surprise and admiration of all who witnessed the experiment. The minds of the most incredulous were changed in a few minutes. Before the boat had made the progress of a quarter of a mile, the greatest unbeliever must have been converted.
Page 107 - Whatever may be your award, I never will consent to let these inventions lie dormant should my country at any time have need of them. Were you to grant me an annuity of twenty thousand pounds, I would sacrifice all to the safety and independence of my country.
Page 91 - First — The weight of the engine and of the fuel. " Second — The large space it occupies. "Third— The tendency of its action to rack the vessel, and render it leaky.
Page 105 - Mr. Fulton has already added to his boat a machine, by means of which he blew up a large boat in the port of Brest. And if by future experiments the same effect could be produced...
Page 83 - Upon this occasion," says Doctor Mitchill in a letter with which he has favoured me, " the wags and the lawyers int the house were generally opposed to my bill. I had to encounter all their jokes, and the whole of their logic. One main ground of their objection was, that it was an idle and whimsical project, unworthy of legislative attention.