REMARKABLE AMERICAN INVENTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 180, 17 June 1854, Page 6

REMARKABLE AMERICAN INVENTIONS.

From the New York correspondent of the Times. Two recent American inventions have been brought out, which hare excited very great interest. Talbot's tunnelling machine has just been tried, with complete success; and it has been demonstrated that mountains of primitive stove and the hardest rocks in the earth cau be successfully and economically tunnelled by the agency of steam applied to this new invention. The slow and expensive process of perforating by the drill and blast will be thrown aside. In the experiment of which I speak, the machine, moved by a steam engine, cut an excavation of seventeen feet in diameter, through the hardest rock, at the rate of about three feet in two hours. The process consists in cutting and crushing the rock by means of rotating discs of steel, in successive series, which describe in their movement segments of circles from the centre to the circumference of the tunnel, with a gradual motion round the common centre; while the steam engine is constantly pressing the machinery in a direct line with the axis of the tunnel. The newest and most extraordinary feature of the application of this power consists in the combination of different sets of discs, which act upon, the entire surface to be excavated by a system of gradation perfectly regular, and by a power that is irresistible. The machine, which is worked so satisfactorily, is made entirely of iron, and weighs about twenty-five tons, exclusive of the engine and boiler. One of the most interesting features of the exhibition was witnessed when the machine began to cut the rock in an oblique direction, for it was observed that those discs or arms which were cutting the.stone' moved with the same facility that those did which were playing in the air. , Gradually the cutters described their curve, the great face-plate of seventeen feet constantly revolving, throwing out and drawing back its arms with complete regularity, seizing and cutting the rock with irresistible power. Only four men are required to work this machine to the greatest advantage ; and two of them confine their attention to the engine which propels it. There is no necessity for suspending the work day or night, except for those intervals when the cutters have to be sharpened or new ones substituted. The amount of time and expense which is saved by the operation is incredible, until its results are witnessed. It* will readily occur that it supplies a want which has been felt in every department of civil engineering. It will revolutionise the whole system of railway construction, and it is regarded as one of the most wonderful inventions of the age. The second invention,which has excited almost the same amount of interest, it is not easy to give a distinct idea of. I therefore substitute for anything I might say the following description of the new submarine invention, written by an eye wituess specially qualified for his work :—" The machine is of peculiar construction, being in fact a mechanical Nautilus, having the power of ascent and descent at will, entirely independent of suspension. In connexion with the machine at.the surface is a reservoir of condensed air, which according to depth of water, may contain from 20lh. t<> 1201b. pressure ofair to the square inch. The compression is produced by a powerful pump, capable of throwing 4000 cubic feet of air per hour. By an interior arrangement of tanks, &c, a variable buoyancy may be given to the machine, capable of lifting weights of ten or more tons. It can be held in suspension at any point of ascent or descent; thus allowing stones to be raised clear from the bottom, then transported and deposited in any precise spot. Movement is made m any direction by a series of three cables and anchors worked from the inside. Ascent and descent are effected in a most rapid manner. This facility of descent, change of buoyancy, and power of movement under water, render this machine of great value in all submarine purposes. The whole bed of a river may do explored from bank to bank. Treasure, pearl shells, corals, sponges, and all products under water, may be easily gathered and sent to the surface without requiring the machine to rise An arrangement of the machine permits the digging 0. trenches under water, by which telegraph w.res and water pipes may be placed below the reach o f anchors. Foundations of piers may l, e prepared, and Uieu built upon, obviating all cane work for raisin- or loweriiiff stone as alj «0,-k of liiun^, unsporting, and depositiug is done by the machine itself! An

\ arrangement is also made for attaching camels to sunken ships, in order to raise them by applying points of support directly to the timbers of the ship. In a word, the power of condensed air, acting as a motor, does the whole work, merely requiring two men inside, and one at the surface to manage it. Mr. Lee, engineer of the company, entered with his men, and immediately commenced the descent; depth of water 30 feet. He rose the first time in four seconds from the bottom, jumping almost clear from the water. Another descent followed, and movement was made toward the stern of the North Carolina, rising again about 100 feet distant. The machine capable of holding ten persons, was moved with one hand by Mr. Glitz, who volunteered to descend. A party of gentlemen then entered and descended, removing the cover (four feet in diameter^ from the bottom. Owing to descent into the mud, the machine was started rapidly to the surface, jumping nearly clear of it, and immediately disappearing. After remaining half an hour longer, the gentlemen reappeared. Thesuccessof the machine waspevfect. The experiment was private, to receive the opinion of some of our most talented officers of engineers, Captain Hudson, Lieutenant Boggs, and officers of the yard ; Captain Cullum and Gilmer, of the United States Engineers; General Ward K. Burnett, and Mr. H. S. Parke of Philadelphia, a number of our first merchants and captains were present. But one opinion was expressed, viz., that a practical machine for ■ all purposes was obtained. The dimensions of this machine are eleven feet greatest diameter in the centre, and eight feet at top or bottom; height, eight feet; opening in bottom to work through, four feet. The descent is obtained by a single move of the valve ; ascent, by moving one air and one water valve. The safety of this machine is great, as by cutting off the air pipe ascent can be obtained by six different modes in one minute. Some weeks since, the lion. Robert J.Walker, accompanied by his Excellency the Minister from Ecuador, Professor Jackson, of Boston, and a party, of gentlemen, witnessed experiments at " Hell Gate," Mr. Walker and DrJ Jackson remained below in communication with the bottom at thirty-seven feet for more than half an hour. These gentlemen expressed, the same opinion of the machine. The first engineers of England and France have indorsed its merit.