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EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
ing on their axes C ; , transmit the motion to the connecting rod G, through its side
links or forks H, and fork head F.
The crank I, being impelled by the upper end of the connecting rod, produces a
rotary motion about the paddle shaft N, which is supported by the framing K K.
The air-pump bucket M', receives its motion through the cross head P and side
rods Q, which are connected to the beams at Q'.
To maintain rectilinear motion of the piston rod, a perpendicular rod 27, from the
beam C, is caused to act on the radius crank 28, and parallel rods 29, whose action
is transmitted to the piston through the side rods E, as in the other parallel motions.
PLATES LL, LIE, LIIL, and LIV.
ENGINES OF THE HULL AND LONDON PACKET WILLIAM WILBERFORCE.
Plate LL represents a plan of the engines of the Wilberforce Hull and London
packet, built by John and Edward Hall, of Dartford, and fitted with Samuel IIall's
patent condensers, and Francis Humphrys’s patent slides. The mechanical ar
rangement of these engines differ from other marine engines provided with Hall’s
condensers, as every part of the condensing apparatus is fixed on the foundation
plates of the engines, and the cold water pumps receive their motion directly from
the great levers, by means of side rods and cross heads, like the air pumps, by which
arrangement the parallelism of the several rods employed in working the cold water
pumps is preserved, and the pumps themselves firmly and substantially fixed and
united with the several other parts comprising the engines; thus also affording every
convenience for ready access to the valves or plungers in case of their requiring re
pairs.
The slide valves of these engines, as well as the pistons and air pump buckets, are
wholly metallic, and their operation have proved them to be quite as efficient as D
slide valves in their most perfect condition without requiring any care or attention
from the engineer; and they work with so little friction that one man can when re
quired handle both engines, although the leverage power, as will be seen by inspect
ing the engravings, is little more than as two to one ; this affords a great advantage
to a marine engine, particularly in a crowded river like the Thames, through which
the Wilberforce has to pass; but their more important advantage is felt in the
steady maintenance of the power of the engines, and in the economy of fuel arising
from the total absence of the leakage common to all hemp packed slide valves when
neglected by the engine man or not plentifully supplied with melted tallow.