Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/148



Mr. Richard Trevithick. 17 August, 1831. inch thick, according to the theory of the strength of iron, would sustain a pressure of 1,736 pounds to the inch, which is four times as great as the gasholders are charged with, and thirty-two times the pressure that the high-pressure Engines work with at present, which is still farther proof that the explosions have been solely occasioned by the boilers being under water gauge, and heated red hot. If after boilers have been forced on their trial by a cold-water pressure, to stand ten times the pressure that they are to be worked at, and a boiler should happen to explode, the shock would be first received by the next surrounding tube, and so on for six successive surrounding tubes; each space between the tubes would admit the Steam to escape gently up the chimney, without harm, and the outside tube that encircles the whole, might be made of three quarters of an inch thick, 80 that it would put injury from explosion beyond possibility. The arrangement of this new Engine embraces every advantage that can be wished for; safety, saving of fuel, lightness, little room, cheapness, simplicity, and nearly independent of water, it can be made applicable to any purpose, and much more effectual than horse power, the first cost of erection far less than a quarter the cost of horses; for the duty, performed, independent of the difference of expence between coals and horse feed, because a one-horse Engine will, by constant 'work; perform the work of four horses every twenty-four hours. For breaking up and tilling large commons very little establishment will be required. Another great national advantage will be gained, by the whole of the kingdom being abundantly supplied with fresh fish, as it will be in the power of every fishing-boat to get a small Engine, and bring fish to market all round the Coast while fresh, independent of wind,, this way be carried by locomotive Engines, in a few hours; to the interior of the country; besides, every merchant ship will be propelled by Steam, as an Engine of ten tons weight on the deck, occupying very little more room than a ton cask, would propel a ship of 500 tons five miles per hour with sixpence worth of coals, and will also pump the ship, weigh the