A NOVEL VEHICLE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1583, 13 June 1887, Page 4

A NOVEL VEHICLE

People m many London thoroughfares were considerably astonished recently, observes the " Daily News," by the appeararjca of a atrange-lo king vehicle speeding swiftly along, propelled by 10 riders, who gat all fn a row, like the orew of an elongated university rowing boat. This novelty m the means of locomotion was on Its way to Aldershot, where, by authority of the War Office, it will be severely tested, with a view to its adoption for military operations . Jt is Messrß Singer and Co. 's latest adaptation of their "Victoria," or " Fom-in-hand " qaadricyole, and Itis Intended for the rapid transport of infantry from one point to mother, When fully manned It carries 12 men, who oan take with them, If ordered, a light bag gage cart or ammunition waggon. The advantages of mounting men thus In single file instead of two or four abreast are, first of all, that the machine is more manageable, and, second, thit power for power it presents less eu'face to a strong head wind, one of the obstacles moat difficult for cyolitta to overcome. The speed that can be pot out of ■uoh a maohlne by 10 or 12 moderate tlders is quite surptißlng. Ten miles an hour would be considered a low average rate, and 16 have been easily accomplished. It is raid to be affected less than any other velcoipede by any roughness m the thoroughfares, and it passes over newlymetalled bits of road with comparative ease. All the tires are wired on the Otto prlcoiple, so that they oannot be greatly damaged by cut 3 from sharp stones. Fur men mounted thuß .there is, of course, a considerable saving m labor, and probably other advantages might be claimed from a military point of view. These, bowever, are points that will be fully totted «t Aldershofc. The whole control and steering of the maohlne is m the hands of one man. The "crew" m charge of this multicycle are all trained volunteers, who will be able to execute any military evolutions that may "be demanded of them with intelligence, and altogether the experiment is one m whioh military men take a lively tnt< rast.