side of the boat, with a wheel guard or frame outside of each of them for protection. A propelling wheel or wheels, may, however, be placed behind the boat or in the centre, between the connecting boats. To give room for the machinery, passengers, or merchandize, I build my boats five or more times as long as their extreme breadth at the water line. The extreme breadth may be one third from her bow, or in the middle, in which case the water line will form two equal segments of a circle united at the ends. To diminish the plus and minus pressure, I make the bow and stern sharp to angles of at least 60 degrees, and that the boat may draw as little water as possible, I build it flat, or nearly so, on the bottom. Having mentioned the essential component parts of a steam boat and its mechanism, its successful construction and velocity will depend— First-On an accurate knowledge of her total resistance, while running 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 miles an hour in still water. Second-On a knowledge of the diameter of the cylinder, strength of the steam, and velocity of the piston, to overcome the resistance of a given boat while running 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 miles an hour in still water. Third-On a knowledge of the square feet or inches which each propeller should have, and the velocity it should run to drive a given boat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 miles an hour through still water. It is a knowledge of these proportions and velocities, which is the most important part of my discovery, on the improvement of steam boats. The following definitions, tables, and calculations, will lead to a clear idea of them. DEFINITIONS. By head pressure, is meant, the total pressure against the bow when the boat is at rest. By stern pressure is meant the total pressure against the stern, when the boat is at rest. Plus pressure is additional pressure against the bow while the boat moves forward; it is occasioned by the fluid being displaced, and is in addition to head pressure. Minus pressure is a diminution of stern pressure, occasioned by the fluid not passing so strongly against the stern when the boat moves forward as when at rest. Friction arises either from the adhesion of the particles of the fluid to the surface of the body, or from the roughness of the body, or from both these causes united. Bow resistance is minus 'pressure, and the friction of the water against the bow united. Stern resistance is minus pressure, and the friction of the water against the stern united. Table of Friction of Plus and Minus Pressure, and of the resistance of one square foot of propeller. By this table the total resistance of all lengths, widths, and draft of water of all boats with bows and sterns on angles of 20 or 60 degrees may be calculated. The resistance of one square foot of propeller is also shewn: Hence, when any particular sized boat has been determined on, and the number of miles which she is to run in still water, has been decided. First, find her total resistance for the velocity; then by the table also, find the number of square feet or inches of a propeller, which while running a velocity. equal to the boat, will make a resistance equal to the boat. It will consequently follow, that the resistance of the boat and propellers being equal, they will pass through equal spaces in equal times, and while the boat advances one mile the propellers will strike through the water one mile backwards; therefore, if the boat is to run 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 miles an hour, the speed of the propellers in the water must be 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 miles an hour, one half of each these velocities is spent in striking water back to create a resistance equal to the resistance of the boat, the other half is to overtake as she advances: For example, when a boat moves one mile an hour, the water runs along her sides with the speed of one mile an hour; were the propellers to run only one mile an hour, they would not touch the water which was running from them with any force; but if they run two miles an hour, they would strike the water with the force of one mile, and create a resistance equal to the resistance of the boat. The following is the method of finding the total resistance of a boat, and of calculating the power and proportions of the machinery to the speed which she is to run. For these calculations, say, boat 154 feet long, 18 feet wide, drawing two feet of water; bow and stern on angles of 60 degrees; steam engine making a 4 foot stroke and 15 double strokes a minute, equal 2 feet a second; the boat to run four miles an hour. Plus and minus pressure on one foot, lb. 12.37 Multiplied by 36 feet, the boat's bow, 445.32 Friction on 848 feet of bow and and stern, at 7.75 lbs. for every 50 square feet, 131.75 Friction on 2.200 square feet of the body of the boat, 341.00 to be felt at the end of the propellers, running 4 miles an hour, or 6 feet a second. This is three times as fast as the piston moves, hence 1836.14 lbs. must be multiplied by 3 equal 5508.42 lbs. or the power of the engine. A cylinder 27 inches diameter, equal 729 round inches, and 8 pounds to the inch gives 5832 ibs. The periphery of the propeller wheel must run 8 miles an hour, or 12 feet a second, equal 720 feet a minute. Wheels 14 feet diameter, 44 round, and 16 revolutions a minute, will give 704 feet a minute, which is sufficiently near. The total resistance of the boat is 918.07 lbs. 909.12 The resistance of one square foot of propeller, running 4 miles an hour, is 51.95 lb.-17 square feet give resistance, This is 83 feet in each propeller. By this example all necessary calculations may be made. I make use of sails and take advantage of the wind to aid the engine, or when the wind is sufficient, I stop the engine, throw the wheels out of gear, and move by the power of the wind only. To prevent the boat making lee way, she has lee board or boards, which are let down into the water while she is sailing. Hitherto there have been two lee boards on each side of the boat; one on cach side near the bow, and one on each side near the stern. That the helmsman may steer to advantage, I place the wheel for steering, and lead the tiller ropes so near the middle of the boat as to enable him to have an uninterrupted view forward. In any case where a current against the boat is superior to the power of the engine to pass it, I propose to cast anchors in such waters, or obtain any other fastening which will enable me to warp the boat by the power of the steam engine, from station to station, until the rapid be passed. Such steam boats as are for passengers, I build with births, good sophas and beds, kitchen, bar, and ice magazine, with every convenience for giving breakfasts, dinners, tea, and suppers, either in the cabins, or under an awning or awnings on deck. (Witnesses,) JOHN R. LIVINGSTON, ROBERT FULTON. To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: I certify that the annexed is a true copy of a patent granted to Robert Fulton, for his improvement in steam boats; dated February 11th, 1809. L. S. In testimony whereof, I John Q. Adams, Secretary of Done at the city of Washington, this 6th day of June, A. D. 1818. D. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To all to whom these Letters Patent shall come. Whereas Robert Fulton, a citizen of the United States, has alleged, that he has invented a new and useful improvement, entitled, "Inventions and Discoveries, for constructing Boats or Vessels, which are to be navigated by the power of Steam Engines," which improvement, he states, has not been known or used before his application; hath made oath, that he does verily believe, that he is the true inventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the treasury of the United States, the sum of thirty dollars, delivered a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in the said improvement, and praying, that a patent may be granted for that purpose: These are, therefore, to grant according to law, to the said Robert Fulton, his heirs, administrators or assigns, for the term of fourteen years, from the ninth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and eleven, the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using, and vending to others to be used, the said improvement; a description whereof is given in the words of the said Robert Fulton, himself, in the schedule hereunto annexed, and is made a part of these presents. In testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made patent, and the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, this ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and of the independence of the United States of America the thirty-fifth. City of Washington, To wit: By the President, JAMES MADISON. ROBERT SMITH, I do hereby certify, that the foregoing Letters Patent were delivered to me on the ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven, to be examined: That I have examined the same, and find them conformable to law; and I do hereby return the same to the Secretary of State, within fifteen days from the date aforesaid, to wit, on this ninth day of February, in the year aforesaid. CÆSAR A. RODNEY, Attorney-General of the United States. The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent, and making part of the same, containing a description in the words of the said Robert Fulton, himself, of his improvement, entitled, "Inventions and Discoveries, for constructing Boats or Vessels, which are to be navigated by the power of Steam Engines." October second, eighteen hundred and ten, I Robert Fulton, native of Pennsylvania, and citizen of the United States of America, now residing in the city of New-York, give the following description of my inventions and discoveries, for constructing boats or vessels, which are to be navigated by the power of steam engines, believing myself to be the original inventor and discoverer of the following combinations.. |