The royal naval authorities, who in 1833 backed the
side paddles, have since adopted the screw in most of the
ships-of-war. In all long sea-going voyages, also, the screw is
now the favourite mode of propulsion. Screw ships of prodigious
size are now built and launched in all the ship-building ports of
Britain, and are sent out to navigate in every part of the world.
The introduction of iron as the material for shipbuilding has
immensely advanced the interests of steam navigation, as it
enables the builders to construct vessels of great size with the
finest lines, so as to attain the highest rates of speed.
One might have supposed that Francis Pettit Smith would derive
some substantial benefit from his invention, or at least that the
Ship Propeller Company would distribute large dividends among
their proprietors. Nothing of the kind. Smith spent his money,
his labour, and his ingenuity in conferring a great public
benefit without receiving any adequate reward; and the company,
instead of distributing dividends, lost about 50,000L. in
introducing this great invention; after which, in 1856, the
patent-right expired. Three hundred and twenty-seven ships and
vessels of all classes in the Royal Navy had then been fitted
with the screw propeller, and a much larger number in the
merchant service; but since that time the number of screw
propellers constructed is to be counted by thousands.
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