Many plans have recently been brought forward for supplying the desideratum. The following cut represents one, for which Mr. Murdoch obtained a patent in 1839. It will be seen that it admits of great solidity of construction, can be readily adapted to engines of every form, and that its action is instantaneous.

To the paddle shaft a is attached, in lieu of the ordinary crank, a cylindrical drum b, having a gap or notch in its circumference into which a pall or draglink c, suspended from the end of the crank pin d, falls, and this forms a connexion between the crank and the drum, so that the paddle shaft a and the engine shaft e revolve together. When it is required to disconnect them, the cam f, which is loose upon the boss of the drum, is turned by means of the worm g and worm-wheel h, and, pressing against the under side of the stud i, which projects from the side of the drag-link, it gradually releases the latter from the notch in the drum, and a portion of the cam being concentric with the drum, and of the same diameter, covers the aperture and prevents the link from falling into it during the revolutions of either shaft. k is a spring to counteract the centrifugal force of the link, and cause it to fall into the notch when desired in any position of the drum; and m is a horn projecting from the cam, which presses upon the stud t, and retains the link firmly in the notch.

Causes 625

Since the foregoing part of this treatise has been in the press, the recommendations contained in the report of the commissioners have been partially adopted; an Act of Parliament having been passed for the regulation of steam vessels, of which the following are the principal provisions: -

1. All steam-vessels built of iron of 100 tons burthen or upwards, the building of which shall have been commenced after the passing of the Act, are to be divided by transverse water-tight partitions, so that the fore part of the vessel shall be separated from the engine-room by one of such partitions, and so that the after part of such vessel shall be separated from the engine-room by another of such partitions.

2. From and after the first day of January, 1847, no vessel, the tonnage of which shall be 100 tons or upwards, shall proceed to sea, from any port whatsoever, unless it shall be provided with boats, duly supplied with all requisites for their use, and not being fewer in number, nor less in their dimensions, than the number and dimensions set opposite to the limits of dimensions in the following table, provided that the said limit of dimensions be not considered applicable to vessels engaged in the whale fishery: -

TONNAGE

OF

VESSEL.

Number of bonts.

Long boat, launch, or pinnace.

Other boats.

length

breadth

length

breadth

length

breadth

length

breadth

feet.

ft.

in.

feet.

ft.

in.

feet.

ft.

in.

feet.

ft.

in.

850 and upwards ...............

4

26

8

0

24

7

0

22

6

6

16

5

6

650 to 850.....................

4

24

7

0

22

6

6

18

5

6

16

5

6

350 to 650 .........................

3

20

6

6

18

5

6

...

...

14

5

0

200 to 350 inclusive ..........

2

18

6

0

...

...

...

...

14

5

0

100 to 200 ..........................

2

...

...

16

5

6

and a punt or small boat.

and that no vessel carrying more than ten passengers shall proceed to sea on any voyage, unless, in addition to the boats hereinbefore required, it shall also be provided with a boat fitted up as a life-boat, with all requisites for its use, together with two life buoys.

3. Every steamer the building of which shall be commenced after the passing of the Act, and which shall proceed to sea with a passenger, shall, in addition to the boat specified in the foregoing table, and in lieu of a boat fitted up as a life-boat, be provided either with such boats as are usually called paddle-box boats, or with such other boats as may be directed in lieu thereof by the Commissioners of the Admiralty.

4. That no steam vessel of 100 tons burden or upwards shall proceed to sea unless it shall be provided with a hose, for the purpose of extinguishing fire, capable of being connected with the engines of the vessel.

5. If any such steam vessel as aforesaid proceed to sea without being provided with such hose as aforesaid, or, being an iron steam vessel, without being so divided as aforesaid, or if any steam or other vessel of 100 tons burden or upwards proceed to sea without being so provided with boats as aforesaid, or if any of such boats be lost or rendered useless in the course of the voyage, through the wilful fault or negligence of the owner or master, or if, in case of any of such boats being accidentally lost or injured in the course of the voyage, the master or other person having charge of the vessel wilfully neglect to replace or repair the same on the first convenient opportunity, then and in every case where the owner shall appear to be in fault, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding 100/., and in every case where the master or other person having charge of the vessel shall appear to be in fault he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding 50/.

6. No officer of customs to clear out any such steam vessel as aforesaid for any voyage to parts beyond the seas without being provided with such hose as aforesaid, or, being an-iron steam vessel, without being so divided as aforesaid, nor to clear out any steam or other vesselof 100 tons burthen or upwards, for any voyage to parts beyond the seas, unless the same be provided with such boats as hereinbefore are required.

7. Every steam vessel when meeting or passing any other steam vessel shall pass as far as may be safe on the port side of such other vessel, and every steam vessel navigating any river or narrow channel shall keep as far as is practicable to that side of the fairway or midchannel of such river or channel which lies on the starboard side of such vessel, due regard being had to the tide; and the master, or other person having the charge of any such steam vessel, and neglecting to observe the regulations, or either of them, shall for each and every instance of neglect forfeit and pay a sum not exceding 50/.

8. On or before the 30th of April and the 31st day of October in every year, the owners of every steam vessel shall transmit to the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade the two following declarations in writing, (that is to say)-

First. A declaration of the sufficiency and good condition of the hull of such steamer, under the hand of a shipwright-surveyor to be approved by the Lords of the said Committee.