CROSS THE ATLANTIC IN 10 HOURS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 2

CROSS THE ATLANTIC IN 10 HOURS.

The project of the roller boat is again being exploited on a largo scale. Mr. F. A. Knapp, the inventor, makes the startling statement that it is possible to cross the .Atlantic in 10 hours. The previous roller boat was .1.10 feet long, operated by means of two locomotives running on endless rails within the boat. These engines were placed one at each end, and rolled the boat forward, by climbing up inside, just as a squirrel spins the wheel of his cage by mad attempts to ascend the bars of the circular prison. The demonstration was given in Toronto Bay, and a trip made down the St. .Lawrence to Prescolt, a distance of 200 miles. Short paddles were placed at the middle of the boat to give a better purchase. Prominent engineers were emphatic in their predictions that the craft would not advance, but only turn over in the water, remaining in the same place. In this they were wrong, and some old and supposedly sound theories were knocked to pieces. They said it would not roll, but it did roll, although the speed was less than expected, and did not exceed six miles an hour.

Mr. Knapp now announces his intention to build another and larger boat, 200 ft. in diameter and 800 ft. long, and it is with this that he expects to cross the Atlantic in . .10 hours. Jn other words, the passenger can take breakfast in London and eat an evening dinner in New York. The big cylinder is to be fitted with paddles, made of steel angles, r>in. deep, and extending its entire length. A speed of nearly 200 miles an hour would, it is calculated, involve only 25 revolutions of the boat per minute.

As to wind pressure, Mr. Knapp asserts the boat will roll into the wind instead of pushing dead against it. Steering will be accomplished by means of rudders at each end. In the proposed boat the steam turbine may be utilised, which may easily be dono by means of a driving gear at the end of the turbine shaft.—" Science Sittings."