[Footnote: A paper recently read before the Society of Mechanical
Engineers by F.C.Marshall.]
The author began by referring to a paper read at the Liverpool meeting
in 1872, by Mr. F. J. Bramwell, F.R.S., on "The Progress effected in
Economy of Fuel in Steam Navigation, considered in Relation to Compound
Cylinder Engines and High-pressure Steam;" then proceeded to continue
the subject from the date of that meeting, to trace out whether any, and
if so what, progress had been made; further, to consider whether or no
we have reached the finality so strongly deprecated by Sir Frederick
Bramwell in the discussion referred to, and, if not, then in what
direction we are to look for further development.
From a table it would seem that the steam pressures are now much higher,
the boilers have less heating surface, and the cylinders are much
smaller for the indicated horsepower developed than in 1872; and at the
same time the average consumption of fuel is reduced from 2.11 lb. to
1.828 lb., or by 13.38 per cent.