A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20234, 12 May 1931, Page 14

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

0 FIRST ROAD MOTORS. the early experiments. Recent railway and .road history lias thrown into prominence the fight waged 100 years ago between horses and various forms' of transport. South Africa took no share in this struggle, for it was very many years later that any form' of mechanical transport was introduced to that country. Enthusiastic engineers 'in England liad made many experiments with Bteain coaches, but the first successful design seems to have been that of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. Gurney was inspired by Trevitliick, who began experimenting with mechanical road transport in 1768, and in 1802 produced a queer sort of steam carriage on a spidery frame. Gurney was a Cor ni simian, and as a boy lived for a long time at Camborne, where Trevithick's early experiments were made.' But Gurney did not follow his youthful ambition to become a famous engineer. He studied medicine and become a distinguished surgeon, but he never seemed to forget his early love. During his spare time he perfected several useful inventions, including an oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. Use of Steam. Between 1823 and 1828 Gurney carried out many experiments in the use of steam for road transport, and especially on the problem of reducing the weight of the engine in proportion to that of the coach. In 1828 lie had a large and clumsy-looking coach built to his designs, and had this run in London. The engine and furnace were placed at the back' of a coach modelled closely on tho larger stage-coaches then in use. Tho inside passengers, seemed to find this mode of travelling very comfortable, but. those forced to-rido outside were , not so enthusiastic. Soot, smoke, and occasionally cinders from the furnace were blown in their direction. The speed at which the vehicle travelled was not much greater than that of *tho ordinary stagc-coach. Often horse transport was quicker, for the steam-coach' had an inconvenient habit of breaking down frequently. On one important test trip Gurney's patent broko down every few minutes, and had to be repaired. •Many observers who travelled on Gurney's and other steam vehicles seemed to find the smell of steam and oil, the swirl of smoke and tho puff and hiss of tho engine unpleasant. .Many .were the ■written and spoken comments on the ills the world would suffer if '-'insufferable monstrosities" of this kind were allowed to replace tho horse. First Six-wheeler. Gurney wisely ignored his critics. He investigated the mechanical faults of tho engine and tho coach, and before the end'of 1828 had overcome many of them. Prints of the period depict a six-wheel vehiclo speeding up wellknown rises" in-London. In July of the next year' Gurney decided to test the vehicle ovor a long stretch of road, and ■at' an averago speed of 15 miles an hour accomplished the trip to Bath and back without serious irtcchanical or other difficulties. > These demonstrations had aroused the interest of the progressive citizens of that time. Encouraged by their commendations, and by the assurance of public . support,, Gurney began a regu-iaristeam-coach service between Gloucester and Cheltenham, a distanco of nine miles; The a.ycrage speed here was ten lriilea; p6r htiiir, -and during tho three months the service was in operation delays Were few and accidents non- • existent. Heavy Taxation. - The House of Commons was not a.progressive body. It did not like such new forms of transport, and demonstrated its dislike by restricting the speed of such vehicles and taxing them heavily. Under such, conditions it was impossible for Gurney to continue his service. The House of Commons was afterwards advised, by the Select Committee it had formed that mechanical road transport of this kind deserved .all the support thOy could give it. Some of the members of the Committee seemed to think Gurney's invention had • more of a future than the railways, but the House could not be persuaded, to lower its tolls. Gurney gave up the work in disgust and took some interest in tho development of--tho railways. In 1833 Dance completed a steam carriage that in many ways was Bimilar to Gurney's .patent. The coach was separate; however, and the boiler of the tubular variety. The whole outfit weighed 3 J tons, and was capable of a speed of 16 miles per hour. This coach was run , profitably for several • years on the Gloucester-Cheltenham service. In the same year Dr. Church manufactured an elaborate steam coach. This had 8 feet. 6 inch rear wheels which were driven by chains. This invention was regarded more as a curiosity than a practical contribution to transport. Tho most practical of the oarly steam coaches was undoubtedly that invented by Walter Hancock, a watchmaker's apprentice. Hancock's first invention, made in 1824, was a light,steam engine . in .which the cylinders were replaced by canvas bags which were alternately inflated and deflated with steam. Hancock soon discovered that engines of this, sort were useless for generating more than about-four horse power. During the next six yeajrs he' experimented with other forms of engine, and was successful. In February, 1831, Hancock's "Infant" steam-coach was plying regularly between London and Stratford. The next year tho London and Brighton Steam '.Carriage-'-' Company was formed, and Hancock was commissioned to build a coalch -.for it. This was known" as the "Era," and ran profitably until tfie Government restrictions hit, it. Hancock built in all ten coaches, but the heavy taxes took away all.chance of .them being worked at a profit. Sooner or later all the road companies were forced into liquidation.