Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/175



Mr. Joseph Gibbs. 17 August, 1831. of the roads after the Carriage had passed over?—I frequently went in a Carriage attached to the Steam Carriage, passing behind it, my object was to know the right width a wheel ought to be made to obtain sufficient traction, and I never saw any mud displaced which was upon the wheel during its revolution. I particularly remarked the indentations in the tire which will be made in consequence of the wheel coming in contact with the sharp flints upon the road. Dow if the wheel had slipped, the tire would have been graved or cut into small furrows, but that was not the case. I had the wheels cleaned in order to observe the effect.

Did you go up any hills?—The hill going into Gloucester.

At what elevation?—That I cannot say exactly; it is a considerable hill.

Do you conceive great improvements will take place in Mr. Gurney's Carriage?—I conceive great improvements will take place in all Steam Carriages; that they are in their infancy; that there are not yet sufficient practical data to form a perfect judgment by as to the ultimate shape of the vehicle, arrangement of parts, and weight of machinery.

Have you considered what would be the best mode of charging toll on such Carriages?—No. I have not yet paid attention particularly to that subject.

Is toll charged on Mr. Gurney's Carriage?—None was charged while I was there.

Have you seen Mr. Hancock's Carriage?—I have.

He carries his passengers, he does not draw them?—No, he does not.

Do you give the same result as to your experience of the injury from that Carriage?—Yes; except that Mr. Hancock's wheel is not cylindrical, it is rather conical, and a conical wheel must be more injurious to the roads than an upright one, although in this case, the wheel being narrow, the difference cannot be very great.

On the principle on which you state that you are forming your Carriages, shall you be enabled to diminish the weight greatly?—The carriage I am now