nature. As the heat is increased arithmetically, the elastic power of the steam is increased geometrically; every addition of about thirty degrees heat in water doubles the elastic power of the steam. Or, in other words, very little increase of heat produces great in crease of power ; doubling the consumption of fuel in a given time, produces about sixteen times the power and efruct in the seine engine. Thus it enables the small, simple and light steam engine, to do work equal to the large, complex, expensive and ponderous one, with about half the consumption of fuel.
2. It is constructed on the true principles of nature. All its parts are of a circular form, that cannot be bent and changed so as to break and explode, by the elastic power. It will therefore bear greater elastic power than boilers of other forms, in the proportion that a bar of iron will bear more pulling straight endwise, than it will on its middle, to bend and break it, when laid horizontally, supported at the ends ; above one hundred times the power that any other form will bear.
3. The boiler being constructed of sheets rivetted together, of circular forms, it is impossible to make every part of equal strength. And the pressure of the steam, acting equally on every part, the weakest part will yield first, by a very small opening, to let the power of the steam or water escape, which will extin guish or check the fire, and stop all danger. It is therefore impossible to explode the boiler in so dan gerous a degree as others do, by bending and break ing, in changing their form to a circle, by the elastic power of steam, which rises gradually.
4. The greater the elastic power, and the hotter the water in the boiler, the less will be its heat at the small distance of two or three feet, issuing from one of these small apertures, that will first yield ; because the very instant it issues, the elastic power in the hot water ex plodes, and disperses the steam in mist so thin, and mixing with the air, that it instantly gives out its heat, and is reduced below the scalding degree, at the dis tance of three feet.* No injury has been clone in any of the numerous instances where such leaks have yielded, in boilers worn by use, or burnt out ; yield ing so often that new ones have been made. Nor
need any danger be apprehended, as it is evident that the boiler cannot be exploded.
5. It requires no more water than is boiled into steam. And the boiler may be made inexhaustible, by letting the steam that escapes from the engine pass into a tight vessel ; there to be condensed into water again, by its own pressure, and the water may be re turned to the boiler to supply it. This vessel may be a tight tube, passing through all the apartments of a manufactory to warm them, or to heat water. And thus the fuel may be applied to double purpose in many instances.
6. The boiler generates more steam than others, being so formed, that sediment does not adhere to its bottom, to form a non-conductor, and cause it to burn out; and it is well planned to receive the heat and re tain it in the water, until a great elastic power is ob tained.
7. It is less complex, and more easily kept in order, repaired, understood, and attended.
Those who may want a steam engine for any use, are not expected to believe implicitly, but are re quested to hold in suspense, assertions made by per sons ignorant of the principles and properties of the engine, until they inquire for themselves, respecting some of the many Columbian Steam Engines now in use; or visit one personally, and they will find it to contain all those properties ; and to be preferable for the following purposes; viz.
Steam Boats. It being lighter, more powerful, more governable; to vary the power, to stem the various currents, consuming and carrying less fuel and water ; will carry more freight or passengers ; and ascend cur rents, or perform any passage in less time.
And for salt or turbid waters, such as bays, and the Mississippi, the inexhaustible principle may be used ; the boiler may be filled with pure fresh water, and a pure supply be obtained from steam, arising from the salt or turbid water used outside, to condense the steam in the tight vessel. Iron boilers will then suit better than copper, and there will be no danger from explosion, nor of being scalded by the small leaks.
The difference in the expense of fuel, of the profits of passengers, freight and time, will amount annually, to more than the whole price and expense of the en gine, on many waters, or for many purposes.