Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/164



Mr. Nathaniel Ogle. 17 August, 1831. of my observation and practice, and also from Mr. Nathaniel the deductions of reason.

Where have you made those observations?—In going about on horseback, in my own steam vehicle, and my own carriage. I have observed the manner in which the road has been cut up. I have also observed the road, after it has been passed over by a steam vehicle, and have seen that part of the road we found injured by the horses' feet rolled over by the middle wheel.

In what state was the road at the time?—Rather wet.

Were the materials recently laid down, or consolidated?—There were patches of gravel; and there the Steam Carriage was a decided advantage.

Was it of more advantage than the wheel of an ordinary Carriage?—Yes, decidedly so.

Do you conceive that the injury done by horses' feet is in the wearing of materials, or the displacing materials?—In both.

What is the nature of the injury which the wheel does?—The wheel always forms for itself a hill, and that hill is in exact proportion to the indentation.

Do you mean to say that the hill is formed by the displacing materials?—Yes, there is a line, of the materials of which the road is composed, on both sides of the tire.

If a road is properly constructed, will that take place?—The harder the road the less the indentation.

Have you paid much attention to the construction of roads?—Not much.

Will you state more definitely the nature of the injury you have seen in regard to the effect of the horses' feet, in comparison to that of the wheels of Carriages?—First of all they displace at every blow, they tear up, and throw the surface behind them; whereas the wheel only rolls as it goes, and throws some portion on both sides of it, if the road is soft.

Do you know from your own knowledge how much the crust of an ordinary road round London will bear?—No; it depends so much upon the nature of the road.