EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
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packet for the Ionian Islands; all which are built on the same mode of security as
the Medea, and have proved to be excellent sea boats, possessing speed, ease, and
comfort combined with superior strength of fabric.
PLATES CIV. to CVIL
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NILE STEAM SHIP, BUILT FOR THE
BASHAW OF EGYPT.
That steam vessels will become of more and more importance, as well in a
commercial point of view as in warfare, is a point now generally admitted; and
though they may never entirely supersede the vessel impelled with sails, it is likely
they will ultimately be employed in all services for which sailing vessels are now
used—except that of the service for which ships of the line are employed. In
carrying on experiments for the general improvement of steam navigation, there
must necessarily be failures; but the advantages and particular interest the intro
duction of an extensive steam navigation involves, must ultimately engage the
energies of every nation at all interested in maritime pursuits, and desirous of the
benefits that an extensive application offers.
The use that these vessels are found to be in towing ships in and out of harbours,
and carrying mails, is now evident; and the advantages proposed by them in
warfare are too great to suffer the neglect of any experiment that may bear any
evidence of improvement. With a proper rig, they may be rendered effective for
almost every purpose for which sailing vessels are employed; while their dis
advantages on comparison are small. The liability of their machinery to be
destroyed by shot, and the space and weight of machinery required for impelling
the vessel, are the greatest objections that can be urged against them:—and may
be particular objects for the attention of engineers.
In the construction of the Nile these were subjects particularly attended to,
without speculating beyond what was warranted by experiment: to reduce the
consumption of fuel by her engines, bad conductors of heat were placed over her
boilers, &c., such as felt and cement; and from their construction and position, a
greater space than common was obtained for the coals. To ensure, as far as
possible, the protection of the engines in the event of her being engaged in warfare,