Part 17

Valve, (clack), 24.

Valve, (suspended), 37.

Valve, (spindle), 44.

Valve, (plane slide), 105.

Water-clocks, 1, 87.

Water, 1.

Wind, 2.

Wine, 19.

Weight, 32.

Wheels, 49.

Wine-skin, 55.

Washing-basin, 55.

Water-jet, 65.

Whistle, 70.

Wheel and axle, 93.

Wind-mill, 108.

SKETCH OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF STEAM NAVIGATION.

FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS.

BY BENNET WOODCROFT.

PROFESSOR OF MACHINERY IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON.

With Seventeen Lithographic Plates and Woodcuts. Fcap. 4to. 12s. cloth.

Although much has been written and published on the subject of Steam Navigation, the merits of the several inventions by which it has been brought into practical operation have not in all cases been faithfully recorded, or duly assigned to their respective authors.

This defect is intended to be supplied in the following sketch; first, by a chronological enumeration of the several projectors, whether subjects of Great Britain or Foreigners; and secondly, by presenting to the reader a clear and impartial statement of what has been accomplished by each, viewed either as an original inventor, or as having been instrumental in promoting the means by which Steam Navigation has reached its present state of excellence.

The pretensions of the several inventors are accordingly arranged in the order of time, and at such length as the limits of the work will admit.

Those who have explained the nature and principles of their inventions are afforded the advantages derivable from such explanations by quotations from their own writings; while other inventors or patentees, who have not availed themselves of this mode of giving publicity to a description of the means by which they have endeavoured to supersede prior inventions, or to extend their utility, have the benefit of such remarks as have been elicited by the writings of their own countrymen.

The sketch accordingly commences by detailing facts which demonstrate that the use of the Paddle-wheel as an instrument for propelling boats or vessels is of great antiquity, preceding by ages the first suggestion of the application of steam as a motive power for that purpose.

This is succeeded by a recapitulation of the early projects for propelling vessels by the aid of the steam-engine, and of the various modifications proposed or practically adopted at subsequent periods; thus placing before the reader the means of forming a just estimate of the pretensions of the several projectors to be ranked as the real authors of the present system of Steam Navigation.

In conclusion, some of the instruments denominated Screw Propellers are duly noticed, with authentic statements of the results of various experiments in which they were applied, and remarks on those generally in use in Europe and in the United States of America. It will be obvious that the facts thus detailed were widely scattered, and in some few instances difficult of access: they have consequently been collected and arranged from many sources, and the compilation is now submitted as forming a book of reference which may be found not only useful, but interesting to those who seek for information as to the origin and progress of Steam Navigation.—Preface.