Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/178



Mr. W. A. Summers. 19 August, 1831. Carriages?—The lightest of the two was about two tons ten cwt.

Do you give that from guess or from actual weighing of the vehicle?—From actual weighing of the vehicle.

That was without the charge of fuel and water?—Yes; without the charge of fuel and water.

What would that add?—The quantity of water we carried with that vehicle was five cwt., that carried us about eight miles, and the quantity of fuel we carried would be about four cwt, generally, that would last nearly double the time that the water did, we always carried an extra quantity of fuel to meet any exigencies on the road.

On the mean of the distance that would bring it to about four hundred and a half?—Yes.

Then the Steam Carriage and the average charge of fuel and water, and the persons to guide it, would weigh about how much?—About three tons two cwt.

What is the greatest weight which you have known that Carriage to be able to carry exclusive of its own weight and charge?—I remember in one instance that we had ten persons upon it, and that we travelled with those ten persons at the average rate of about nine miles an hour.

On what road did this vehicle, you are speaking of, run?—It ran from Cable-street. Well-close-square, to within two miles and a half of Basingstoke; (it was only an experimental journey, the same vehicle had run in various directions, about the streets and outskirts of London before;) that was the furthest distance we ran with it.

Is it running at the present time?—No.

Why was it given up?—When we arrived within about two miles and a half of Basingstoke, the crank shaft broke, and we were obliged to put it into a barge, and send it back to London.

Is this a Carriage of which the Committee have bad any information?—No; the Committee have bad no previous information respecting this Carriage.

Is this on the same principle as that described by Mr. Ogle?—No; it is not on the same principle.