Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1901 — SCIENCE AND PROGRESS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCIENCE AND PROGRESS

Improved "Boat Propulsion. In the system of steam propulsion illustrated in the accompanying drawing the Inventor has utilized an endless chain device to support the blades forming the propeller, and the claim is made that it has a number of advantages over other types. An inventor of Washington, D. C., has been granted a patent on the apparatus and he states that the improvements are the increased traction on the water and the decreased resistance offered by the blades in entering and laving the water. Each blade is mounted on a horizontal rod, which has a pair of levers at the ends set at right angles to the surface of the blade. On the loose ends of these levers are small revolving wheels, which fit loosely in a groove running parallel and level with the lower section of the endless chain. It will thus be seen that when the propeller blade reaches the lowest portion of Its circuit the wheels enter the grooves, which prevents the blade from tilting backward and losing its force against the water. When rising clear of the water the blades maintain a vertical position by their own weight and hang thus while the chain traverses the upper portion of Its circuit. To run the steamer in the oppo-

"Bite direction it is only necessary to reverse the engine, the blades being so arranged as to act on the water when moving in either direction.

CHAIN PROPELLER FOR SHIPS.