Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE

MECHANICS' MAGAZINE,

MUSEUM,

Register, Journal,

AND

GAZETTE,

OCTOBER 5th, 1839-MAY 30th, 1840.

VOL. XXXII.

"The wants of society call for every man's labour. No one is permitted to be a mere blank in the world. No rank nor station exempts any man from contributing his shafe to public utility and good. This is the precept of God; this is the voice of nature; this is the just demand of the human race one upon another."

BLAIR

LONDON:

EDITED PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, BY J. C. ROBERTSON,
MECHANICS' Magazine office, 166, FLEET-STREET.

1840.

EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. C. ROBERTSON, 166, FLEET STREET.

Mechanics' Magazine,

MUSEUM, REGISTER, JOURNAL, AND GAZETTE.

No. 843.]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1839.

Printed and Published for the Proprietor, by W. A. Robertaon, No. 166, Fleet-street.
CAPTAIN SMITH'S PADDLE-BOX BOATS.

Fig. 2.

[Price 3d.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][graphic][subsumed]

CAPTAIN SMITH'S STEAM VESSEL

PADDLE-BOX BOATS.

[From the Appendix to Report on Steam Vessel Accidents.]

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that it is universally admitted that steam vessels are very deficient in boats; so much so, that when a steam vessel is lost, if the lives of the passengers and crew are not sacrificed, it may be considered an especial interposition of Providence.

scribed in the accompanying drawing (see front page, and below), which invention my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been pleased to try on board of her Majesty's steam vessel Carron (a vessel between 200 and 300 tons burthen). The upper section of her paddle-wheel is covered by a life-boat, 25 feet long, 9 feet beam, having four air-tight cases, which may be removed if required on particular occasions. This life-boat is capable of containing between 40 and 50 persons. When in her place (fig. 1.) over the paddle wheel, the midship thwarts are unshipped, which admits of the wheel revolving within about 6 inches of her kelson (fig. 2.), she lies Fig. 1.

This deficiency, and the difficulty in steam vessels of carrying boats on deck and in getting them in or out, has led me to turn my attention to the subject; the result has been the invention de

A

bottom upwards on two iron davits having hinges which enable her to be turned over and lowered down by six men in two or three minutes. boat of similar capacity could not be got out if stowed in the usual position on deck under 20 minutes by the whole crew, and in case of fire, probably not at all.

It is proposed that steam vessels should have one large boat over each paddle wheel; in the most powerful vessels they may be 30 feet in length, with above 9 feet beam. Vessels fitted with boats on this plan present less resistance to the wind and atmosphere in sailing and steaming, and their appearance is con

bly improved. The upper float

boards can be got at with ease when requisite, by raising the boat a little on her davits. If thought requisite to add to the number of boats, the cabins, before and abaft the paddle wheels may be roofed by smaller ones, as shown in the drawings.

The officers of Woolwich and Sheerness dock-yards, also three captains in command of ships at Portsmouth, have made very favourable reports on the life-boat fitted to the Carron, which reports have been forwarded officially to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and their Lordships have ordered a larger vessel, the Firefly, to be fitted on a similar plan.

« PreviousContinue »