Sadly they viewed the increasing moon, Now through the heavens but faintly gleamitig, Now brighter shining forth, and soon Far o'er the waters gaily beaming: And soon did she the gloom dispel That late the sable turret bounded, Though like beleaguered citadel, She shone herself with clouds surrounded.— The watchful guardian of the wall, Beheld, rejoiced, and fear'd withal. Well might he fear, that night of gloom, One moment sunk the clamours loud.- The bold besiegers backward driven, But this the last, the deepest loss, The prostrate splendor of the Cross, STEAM NAVIGATION EXTENDED AND MADE Profitable. AMONG the various suggestions arising out of the application of STEAM, as a power for promoting maritime conveyance, we have seen none that appear to us more worthy of repetition and commendation than those which have been put forth by Captain M'Konochie, of the Navy, in a small pamphlet published by Mr. Richardson, under the title given above. We have read it with the attention it so truly deserves, and can safely say, that there is no portion of it that does not deserve the earnest consideration both of the rulers and merchants of this country, as well as of India. The peculiar application of the latter part of his suggestions to the British dominions in the East, warrant us, indeed, in transcribing very largely from every portion of the work; which we do the more readily, from a belief that our pages will convey the information it contains, over a more extensive space than they would be likely to travel in their original form. The following are the more important portions to which we desire to draw the attention of our Indian and English readers. The great misfortune under which the country now labours, is over-production :—and steam has been the chief agent in causing it. Were this commanding power, however, as extensively employed in facilitating the distribution, and by consequence the exchange and consumption, of our manufactures, as in thus creating them, much relief would progressively, but certainly be obtained. And this view of the subject opens up a wide field of interesting, and, if properly managed, of profitable speculation, the consistent following up of which, on the part of capitalists, would be at least one step-and, it is believed, a very important step towards a change in the present aspect of commercial affairs. A first object with us now appears to be, to facilitate communication, as much as possible, everywhere:-but especially to employ British skill and capital (none can have a nearer interest in the success of the measure) in improving the coasting and other domestic communications of those markets, of which, although the principal points may be glutted with our commodities, it is reasonable to conclude, that the more retired districts would yet furnish a large demand. And Steam Navigation is especially suited to effect such a purpose. The present mode of applying Steam to Navigation is however too expensive and besides, wherever it is introduced, it competes with existing shipping interests,-a great objection to it in every case, but especially disadvantageous where any feelings of national jealousy are superadded to the other difficulties attending innovation. The plan proposed in this pamphlet differs from it in both particulars. It is eminently economical: and with a little variation, according to circumstances, can be applied to every ship or boat, serving, not injuring their owners. The great objections to the present mode of applying Steam to Navigation are its inordinate expense, and the little stowage left for goods, even in the largest Steam-boats. And the consequences of the two circumstances are, that these vessels are only used as packets-and, if not improved on, will probably be, at no distant period, laid aside, for they nowhere yield a profitable return. The following considerations then are deemed important, as bearing directly on these points. 1. A mere abatement in the speed at which Steam-boats are usually impelled, would be productive of great economy. The resistance to a vessel's passing through the water, and the expense at which that resistance is overcome, increase nearly as the cube of the speed gained and thus, after a good medium pace is obtained, an addition to it can only be purchased at a most extravagant cost. The following table illustrates this very strikingly. It gives the powers by which a vessel can be impelled at the several velocities. 3 Miles per hour, 5 Horses. 4 5 6 7 8 13 25 43 69 102 146 200 9 10 2. As steam-boats, however, are at present fitted, they can take little or no advantage of the above principle. Their power is invariable, or nearly so-one large engine, or two made to work together, and thus, to every practical purpose, one. At a given pace, however, the resistance will vary from hour to hour with the weather, and the power should vary too. Steam-boats sought to be worked economically should be fitted with three or four small powers, arranged so that one or more may be applied, precisely as required; and thus favourable circumstances would give a saving, as adverse ones must always cause expense. Lastly. Steam-boats in which economy is studied, should tow, not carry. The machinery of a Steam-engine takes up so much room, that the remaining capacity, however filled, can never defray the expense, or yield any return; and, besides this, there appears to be something in the principle of traction favourable, wherever it is applied, to the transport of heavy burthens. A horse will draw more than he will carry. A loco-motive engine of only eight-horse power, drags ninety tons after it, and cannot stir with even a half of that above it. It has been ascertained in river-navigation, that one-third of the power will track a vessel, at a given rate, against the stream, that is necessary to impel her at the same rate, if embarked on board. And every seaman who has sent his boat a-head to tow, in a calm, must have been sensible that the same power employed on board, would not have produced the same effect. There are two ways, however, in which this principle may be applied. Where voyages are long, and the sea-room is abundant, it does not appear advantageous to employ steam at all, as the only, or even as the principal moving power. Vessels on such services are generally large; and large Steam-vessels labour under this disadvantage, whatever their power, the fulcrum against which it acts is merely the water opposed to their paddles, and these cannot be enlarged in anything like the proportion in which the weight and resistance of a large vessel rise above those of a small. But inoreover, wind costs nothing; and, on a long stretch, the balance of chances is so much in favour of a sailing-vessel's progress, from the speed with which a fair wind impels her, and the greater number of points of the compass which give a fair than a foul wind, that not much is to be gained by the punctuality of steam. (The Enterprise, for example, was three days longer on her passage to India, than a trader, the Betsy, from Bordeaux, which sailed about the same time.) Still, if some aid could be thus procured, to meet occasions of long-protracted calm, or to assist a ship's boats when employed under favourable circumstances, it would seem of great importance; and this would be effectually obtained by each ship's embarking a small power, say of two, four, six, or eight horses, according to her size, together with a boat fitted to receive it, employing them in towing as required. And such an addition to a ship's stores would, in fact, be repaid in a single voyage to one bound within the tropics, where calms are frequent, and boatservice severe. And would be equal to an insurance where the navigation is intricate, and the importance of an occasional tug in light weather, or of being able to lay out an anchor at short notice, is consequently great ;-this last being an operation, by the way, on which, more than any other, the fate of a ship and cargo will frequently depend, and which is yet scarcely practicable at all, at present, for merchant vessels, unless in very favourable circumstances, from their scant of hands. In river or coasting Navigation, however, or where the voyages are otherwise short, and the navigation is confined, a more complete form of the system would seem infinitely better. Strong and powerful, but not large Steam-boats should be employed in towing, from port to port, small vessels without regular masts, but possessed of the means of stepping jurymasts when it may appear desirable to make a little sail. These vessels having their holds clear fore and aft, would carry very large cargoes for their size. They would be equally punctual and secure, deeply laden, and flying light. They could have most comfortable cabins on deck, and thus carry passengers, as well as goods; yet not being entirely dependent on passengers, they would not be obliged to lay by every winter, as most Steam-packets now do. The Steam-power would thus work the whole year for its owner, instead of the half only: besides which, it would not be detained at the end of every short voyage, unloading and loading again; but, with a fresh supply of fuel, would be immediately ready to proceed with another vessel. And there can be no doubt, that if worked, besides this, as above suggested with regard to speed and command of power, a Coasting Trade could be thus maintained even more cheaply and safely than by Sails, and much more conveniently.* This then is the system of Steam-Navigation proposed; and so obvious, and, it may be said, unquestionable are the general principles on which it is founded, that, perhaps, it might be safely left to rest on their merits alone. If the benefits arising from the use of Steam in Navigation, are to be extended, or even maintained, it must, in some way, be made to pay, which it nowhere does now: and economy in its application must therefore be a first object of study-not be systematically disregarded. A great effect must accordingly be sought from small powers, not a small effect from great powers. A reduction of speed to a medium, and the use of a variable power to meet a varying resistance, are obvious methods to attain this end. And substitution of towing for carrying, seems to be at sea precisely what the transition from the pack-saddle to the wheel-carriage was ashore, without roads to cut, or hills to climb, and with some other advantages, peculiar to itself-in particular with an actual hold of the water, by means of the Steam paddles, to be used as a fulcrum against which to act; whereas loco-motive engines, and it may be said horses also, have for this purpose only the friction arising from their own weight. The best and most popular argument, however, in favour of any system, is the practical one showing the value and extent of its applications; and a very few of these will therefore now be noticed. After detailing the advantages of employing Steam-launches in ships of the navy, which would be eminently useful, the author proceeds : Steam-launches would next especially benefit traders to the East Indies. These vessels have to cross the Equator twice in the course of their voyage, and are each time perplexed with calms and baffling airs, through which if they could be thus certainly impelled at the rate of fifty or sixty miles a day, they would probably shorten the average duration of their passage, by not less than three weeks. Besides, a large sum of money has been subscribed in India, to be * See on this head, however, a Paper "On the most effective Employment of Steam-power in Navigation,"-Edinb. New Phil. Journ. April, 1829. |