It performed
its voyage round the basin at the rate of about three miles an
hour. His patent for a "spiral propeller," was taken out in July
1836. This was the invention, to exhibit which he had a vessel
constructed, of about 40 feet long, with two propellers, each of
5 feet 3 inches diameter.
This boat, the Francis B. Ogden, proved extremely successful.
She moved at a speed of about ten miles an hour. She was able to
tow vessels of 140 tons burthen at the rate of seven miles an
hour. Perceiving the peculiar and admirable fitness of the
screw-propeller for ships of war, Ericsson invited the Lords of
the Admiralty to take an excursion in tow of his experimental
boat. "My Lords" consented; and the Admiralty barge contained on
this occasion, Sir Charles Adam, senior Lord, Sir William
Symonds, surveyor, Sir Edward Parry, of Polar fame, Captain
Beaufort, hydrographer, and other men of celebrity. This
distinguished company embarked at Somerset House, and the little
steamer, with her precious charge, proceeded down the river to
Limehouse at the rate of about ten miles an hour. After visiting
the steam-engine manufactory of Messrs. Seawood, where their
Lordships' favourite apparatus, the Morgan paddle-wheel, was in
course of construction, they re-embarked, and returned in safety
to Somerset House.
The experiment was perfectly successful, and yet the result was
disappointment.
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