Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/161



Mr. Nathaniel Ogle. 17 August, 1831. narrower wheels, which must increase the injury done to the road.

Are your wheels dished, or are they cylindrical?—Cylindrical, with flat tires.

What are the diameters of your propelling wheels?—We have generally used them about six feet; those we have now are about five feet six.

Have you changed the diameters from experiment, from finding the smaller diameter more convenient?—From finding some wheels with the spokes cut through, whether intentionally by the workmen, or from mere neglect, we could not tell; but they were merely reduced from six feet to five feet six.

For a Carriage calculated to carry eighteen persons, what would be the length, and what the breadth?—I think that our next will measure eighteen feet six; that is not so long as a Carriage with two horses: the breadth six feet nine inches between the wheels.

During the course of your experience have you met with any accident, such as the breaking of your machinery?—None whatever of any denomination; not one bolt, not one screw has ever given way, during a period of twelve months, and under circumstances which would have utterly destroyed any other Carriage, and very much to the surprise of engineers, who are sadly uninformed on all points relative to Steam Coaches, and have never advanced their success.

In the improvements you are now engaged upon in your Carriage, are they relative to the size and weights of the different parts, or merely in the conveyance of the goods and passengers?—They are more in improving slight details; the power we have, beyond all question, to propel vehicles of any weight, at any required velocity.

Have you made many experiments as to the size of your cylinder?—We have made several experiments.

In reference to the usual velocity you require, and the weight you have to carry, what do you find the most advantageous size of cylinder?—The larger the cylinder, certainly, the better; but were I to give definite answers to such questions, it would be giving too much information to those opposed to us.