Popular Lectures on the Steam Engine: In which Its Construction and Operation are Familiarly Explained, with an Historical Sketch of Its Invention and Progressive Improvement

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E. Bliss, 1828 - Steam-engines - 171 pages
 

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Page 12 - ... which is but at such a distance. But this way hath no bounder, if the vessels be strong enough ; for I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it...
Page 13 - I have seen the water run like a constant fountain-stream forty feet high ; one vessel of water rarefied by fire driveth up forty of cold water. And a man that tends the work is but to turn two cocks, that one vessel of water being consumed, another begins to force and refill with cold water, and so successively the fire being tended and kept constant, which the self-same person may likewise abundantly perform in the interim between the necessity of turning the said cocks.
Page 13 - I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it three quarters full of water, stopping and screwing up the broken end, as also the touch-hole ; and making a constant fire under it, within twenty-four hours it burst, and made a great crack...
Page 152 - She had the most terrific appearance from other vessels which were navigating the river when she was making her passage. The first...
Page 13 - ... so that they are strengthened by the force within them, and the one to fill after the other, I have seen the water run like a constant stream, forty feet high : one vessel of water rarefied by fire, driveth up forty of cold water ; and a man...
Page 136 - F is placed within the boiler, except a few inches at the upper end, where the four-way cock is placed for admitting and withdrawing the steam ; H is a tube for conducting the steam which has worked the piston into the chimney. The upper end of the piston rod is connected with a cross bar, which is placed in a direction at right angles to the length of the boiler, and this bar is guided in its motion by sliding on two perpendicular iron rods, fixed to the boiler and parallel to each other. To the...
Page 152 - This uncommon light first attracted the attention of the crews of other vessels. Notwithstanding the wind and tide were adverse to its approach, they saw with astonishment that it was rapidly coming towards them; and when it came so near...
Page 152 - ... in some instances shrunk beneath their decks from the terrific sight, and left their vessels to go on shore, while others prostrated themselves, and besought Providence to protect them from the approaches of the horrible monster, which was marching on the tides and lighting its path by the fires which it vomited.

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