Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/221



Mr. John Macneil. 6 September, 1831. expected that experiments made with a large unwieldy waggon, mounted with common; axle-trees besmeared with tar, could furnish results, on which to found a refined mathematical calculation. I have however, within these few days, commenced a series of experiments, with a small Carriage constructed on purpose, and furnished with a very delicate instrument for measuring the draught. From the little way I have as yet gone in these experiments I cannot furnish any details at present; but I think I am warranted in saying that a very great benefit would arise in the saving of road-materials, by the adoption of a better method of hanging the Coaches, in a manner, perhaps, something similar to gentlemen's Carriages. Many of these weigh, when fully loaded, two tons, yet a pair of post-horses draw them with apparent ease, the rate of ten miles an hour; and on some parts of the road between London and Birmingham, where the road is tolerably level, at a much greater speed, some of the Birmingham and London Coaches travel the same ground, at twelve miles, and sometimes fifteen miles an hour. This velocity, however, may in a great measure be attributed to the level and perfect state of that road.

The details of various kinds of Steam Carriages have been given to the Committee; all act without propellers; without projection on the wheels, with cylindrical wheels; some with greater or less breadth of tire, even six inches wide; the power is applied either by crank or wheels to one or two propelling wheels, according as greater or less force may be required. Some of the experimental Carriages bad three, some six wheels; all will have four wheels—Some have the Engines in a separate Carriage, and draw the load; some carry the load and Engines on one Carriage. Taking the above circumstances into consideration, which would be most injurious to a road—a Stage Coach, drawn by four horses, weight of Coach three tons, horses two tons, breadth of tire two inches and a half; or Steam Coach, wheels four inches tire, weight four tons; in both cases velocity ten miles per hour?—Taking for granted that the