Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/77



Mr. Walter Henrick. 5 August, 1831. Supposing you were going at the rate of eight miles an hour, and that you wished to stop suddenly, in what number of feet could you stop your. Carriage?—I will say twelve feet.

Of course there is equal facility in avoiding any particular object on the road?—Yes.

In stopping so suddenly, would there not be a danger of your being thrown off?—No, I think not.

Have you ever done it?—Yes, I think I have.

Supposing that you wanted to stop in the quickest possible way, at what distance could you stop at that rate of speed?—About four feet, I should think, by backing the Engines, because it is like putting a block to the wheel.

Would there be 'no danger in that?—No, I think not; it would throw a strain on the Engines; the rate of eight miles an hour is not so great;' it is only in extreme cases that that would be done. I am very frequently obliged to pull up very short, from children running in the road.

Of what materials are your wheels made?—Like common dished wheels, they ought to be 'perfectly cylindrical. I merely took them to avoid expence; they were wheels which I had by me.

Are you proprietor of any other coaches?—No.

Have you any means of ascertaining the proportion of friction that there is on your wheels, and those drawn by horses?—No, I have never gone into experiments to any extent upon that point.

Are your wheels shod frequently?—No, I have never had occasion to have the wheels shod, they were not worn out.

For what number of miles could you run without being obliged to shoe your wheels?—I do not know, Do you find any difference of wear between your propelling wheels and your drawing wheels?—No, except in relation to the weight on the hind-wheels. We throw more weight in order to produce friction, to get adhesion to the ground.

Have you any scheme of tolls to produce to the Committee, which you think would be equitable to lay on Steam Carriages, for the use of the road?—I