18 STEAM NAVIGATION.

effectual, durable, convenient, and less expensive than any otherEngine or Pump yet known or in use.”

One of the inventions described in the Specification of this patentis a mode of propelling vessels by the improved rotatory enginetherein described and claimed,(which will also act as a pump,) bymeans either of a paddle-wheel or what may be called a“ ScrewPropeller.”

Bramah shows a vessel with a rudder placed in the bow, and hedeseribes the nature of his Screw Propeller and its mode of action inthe following terms:

“ Instead of the(paddle) wheel A, may be introduced a wheel withinclined Fans, or Wings, similar to the fly of a smoke-jack, or thevertical sails of a windmill: this wheel or fly may be fixed on thespindle c alone, and may be wholly under water, when it would bybeing turned round either way cause the ship to be forced backwardsor forwards, as the inclination of the Fans or Wings will act as oarswith equal force both ways, and their power will be in proportion tothe size and velocity of the wheel: allowing the Fans to have a pro-per inclination, the Steam Engine will also serve to clear the Ship ofwater with singular expedition, which is a circumstance of much im-portance.”

This“ Apparatus for working the Ship” is fixed in or beyond thestern, in or“about the place where the rudder is usually placed,and its movement is occasioned by means of an horizontal spindle oraxletree, conveyed to the Engine through or above the stern end ofthe ship.”

This was, without doubt, the best mode of steam propelling thathad then been suggested; for here the steam would so act as directlyto produce a circular motion on the propeller shaft."There is, how-ever, no account of Bramah having tried this mode.

On this day a patent was granted to William Symington underthe following title:“ His new invented Steam Engine, on principlesentirely new.”