The owner of a great tannery had once an improvement in making leather
proposed to him by a foreman, but the merchant could not comprehend
it even with the most earnest verbal explanation. As a last resort he
said, “put it in writing so that I can study it out.” This was done and
the change after an examination of the paper was made as advised. So in
these volumes much important information is written and printed that it
may be “studied out.”
The author believes the following features of his work adapt it to the
purpose for which it was designed:
1. It contains no more than can be mastered by the average engineer
and those associated with him, such as millwrights, machinists,
superintendents of motor power, electric stations, water works, etc.
2. It is thoroughly systematized. The order and development of subjects
is thought to be logical, and the arrangement of topics especially
adapted to the needs of those who aspire to do the best service in
their every day responsibilities.
3. The work is written in accordance with modern theories and practice;
no exertion has been spared in the attempt to make it fairly represent
the latest state of the science of hydraulics and its adaptation to
the needs of modern mechanical advancement, _i.e._, in the line of
practical hydraulics.
NOTE.—The preface is almost invariably made after the book itself
is finished, for an author never knows with much exactness whither
his researches will lead him. The book he begins is not always the
book he finished; this is especially the case with books relating
to modern sciences and industry. As an instance of this, it may be
told that at the commencement of this work it was generally agreed
that the easy “lift” of the centrifugal pump was some sixty or eighty
feet, and not much more, but the appropriate section relating to
centrifugal pumps has reached a lift of two thousand feet had been
practically assured by recent discoveries. This important difference
demanded a change in the writing although—as it happened—not in the
printing. This, to explain why here, the author gives generous praise
to others who have assisted in the long task of making these volumes.
4. It has been made by “men who know for men who care,” for the whole
circle of the sciences consists of principles deduced from the
discoveries of different individuals, in different ages, thrown into
common stock; this is especially so of the science of hydraulics; thus
it may be truthfully owned that the work contains the gathered wisdom
of the ages, utilized wherever the author has found that it would
increase the usefulness of the volumes.
5. It is a work of reference minutely indexed. We are warned by Prof.
Karl Pearson that “education can only develope; it cannot create. If
a man has not inherited ability to learn, education cannot make him
learn,” but in a well indexed book, simply and plainly written, both
classes referred to are equally benefited.
There came the moment, once upon a time, when the author of this book,
in his eager pursuit of knowledge, asked one question too much, to
which he received the “gruff” answer:
“Look ahere, I don’t propose to make a dictionary of myself.”
This was a painful retort from a man already under large obligations to
the questioner, but it had its reason in being spoken. There are things
in the way of a man’s own craft that he most unwillingly imparts to
anyone else.
It is not thus with this work; nothing has been withheld that would
make it plain and helpful to one in need of the special line of
information aimed to be conveyed in its make-up.
In making acknowledgment for favors received the author first remembers
Mr. Alberto H. Caffee who arranged in behalf of the L. Middleditch
Press for the issue of the work. Mr. Caffee’s name appears in the
dedication, with that of the brave soldier and accomplished gentleman
Maj. Abram B. Garner.
The latter is one to whom “Jove has assigned a wise, extensive, all
considerate mind.” The author is proud to call him friend and to
acknowledge the benefit received in kindly advice relating to his
productions.
Mr. Harry Harrison’s skill is shown in the “lay out” or typographical
arrangement of the work and Mr. Henry J. Harms has contributed his
careful supervision to each page of the book as it has gone through the
press.
Lewis F. Lyne, Mechanical Engineer, has, amid his other responsible and
active duties “passed upon” each page of the entire two volumes.
Mr. Lyne, it may be said, was one of the founders of the American
Society of M. E.; he was also the first mechanical engineer on the
editorial staff of the American Machinist in its early days, and
contributed as editor and stockholder to its success. In his youth
Mr. Lyne was apprentice in the machine shop of the Penn. R. R. and
received his papers for full and faithful service.
Having been commodore of the Pavonia Yacht Club he has papers both
as U. S. pilot and also as a marine engineer. He performed practical
service both as locomotive fireman and was later superintendent of
the Jersey City Electric Light Co. for a period of six and a half
years.
Moreover Mr. Lyne was assistant master mechanic of the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western R. R. (M. & E. Div.) for seven years and had
charge of establishing their new shops at Kingsland, N. J. Few men
have had so long and honorable a record as Lewis Frederick Lyne.
Credit is due also to Mr. Edward F. Stevens, assistant at the Yale
University library, New Haven, Conn., for a careful reading of the
two volumes for clerical errors, punctuation, etc. Mr. Stevens is a
graduate of Colby University and a ripe scholar; moreover after leaving
college he has had some twelve or more years experience in business and
editing with a mechanical book publishing house widely known throughout
England and the U. S.—a rare combination of useful experience.
The final revision of the two volumes has been made by one of the
brightest young engineers in New York City, now consulting engineer and
attorney at Patent Law with offices in the Flat Iron Building, corner
of Twenty-third St. and Fifth Avenue—Mr. Edward Van Winkle.
He is associate member of the Am. Soc. M. E. and associate member of
the Canadian Soc. of C. E. He was a Student in The Stevens Institute
of Technology, and graduated from Columbia University in the City of
New York with the degree E. E.
These names should assure confidence in the contents of the work, which
has been some years in preparation, and with nothing spared to make it
trustworthy.
[Illustration]
_“Kicking down” a well in the early days._ A hole was dug in the rock
and cased with a wooden tube eight or ten inches square. In this way
the tools, suspended from a horizontal elastic hickory pole, which in
turn was fastened to a stake, were worked over an upright piece as a
fulcrum. The tools were worked up and down in the hole, as shown in the
picture.