Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1877 — Curious Steamboat. [ARTICLE]

Curious Steamboat.

A JitLle steamboat lias just arrived at New York from Baltimore which was propelled the entire distance between the two cities without wheel or screw. She is called the Alpha, and in outward appearance resembles the tug-boats which ply in the harbor. Her length is forty-three feet. She is supplied with a sixteen-horse power tubular boiler, which drives a pump. From the pump to the stern and bow of the vessel are two lines of pipe which strike the water about three feet below the surface. The pump drives through each pipe a two and a half inch stream, which enters the water"through a seven-eighth inch nozzle. With sixty pounds of steam tbe pump make 180 strokes a minute, each stroke driving a slrcaminto the outer body of water. The invention is the result of many years of study, and it is asserted that it can be applied to ocean steamships with success. In moving through the water there is no ripplo astern, and but slight displacement perceptible except at the bow. By shutting oil the discharge from the stern pipes and forcing the water through the bow pipes the boat is backed, and by using one bow and one stern pipe she can be turned in her own length. The propelling power can also be used to steer the boat, the nozzles being used alternately as levers on the principle■ of the oar. The boat consumes but a quarter of a ton of coal per day, and is considered to be well adapted fpr use on the canals.