_With Seventeen Lithographic Plates and Woodcuts._ Fcap. 4to. 12_s._
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._
LONDON: TAYLOR, WALTON, AND MABERLY, IVY LANE,
PATERNOSTER ROW. 1848.