Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/162



Mr. Nathaniel Ogle. 17 August, 1831. What is the greatest weight that any Steam Engine you have ever built is capable of carrying ten miles an hour?—About three tons, in addition to its own weight. The majority of the London engineers treated our opinions, founded on the laws of nature and experiment, with contempt and ridicule, and were amazed at witnessing the vigour of our Engines, and the velocity with which we left the factory in Cable-street. Whitechapel, and proceeded towards Southampton.

Have you ever ascertained that that Carriage, when loaded, weighs six tons?—No never.

What was the greatest weight you ever weighed?—We never weighed it at all. I can only speak from conjecture. I have seen nineteen persons on and seven cwt, of water.

At what rate did you travel with that load?—We went with that load up a considerable ascent, about thirteen miles from Southampton. I should think, about from a quarter to half a mile. We travelled about ten miles an hour.

How did you ascertain that rate; did you make accurate observations at the time?—We know pretty accurately, by observation, at what rate we are going; but we can ascertain with the greatest minuteness, by knowing the number of revolutions made by a wheel of a certain diameter.

When you were conveying those nineteen persons, how many horse power do you suppose was exerted by your machinery?—Nearly twenty horse power.

You have stated that your Carriages do not do injury to roads, but are rather a benefit, subsequently you have said that your Carriages did not do half the injury of common Carriages?—Yes; if the tire of the wheel was very broad it would be no injury.

Do you know the ordinary breadth of the tire of a Stage Coach wheel?—About two inches or two and a quarter, varying a little.

Do you know the weight of a Stage Coach, with its compliment of eighteen passengers?—Three tons.

What particular Coach do you refer to?—The