THE CONNECTOR STEAM VESSEL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 68, 4 November 1864, Page 2

THE CONNECT OR STE AM VESSEL.

THE A model vessel; vrhich is intended by its projector* to be the precursor of a large occt of cargo-carrying craft for the coasting trade, Ims for rcany znonthe been the object of curiosity and remark to the traveller by the river steamboat?. It IS TiecefigSiry tO remind our readers that fcbe ia intend^ to Bhow the prsotk-abDUy of adding

in ihe same manner that luggage trucks .are formed into a train upon a railway, the motive power being comprised in 'a distinct compartment. The object sought to be gained by this arrangement lias special reference to the London coal trade, and consists in the avoidance of delay and consequent waste of expenditure by detaining the machinery compartment while the cargo, sections are being unladen, and therefore it is proposed that -upon, a -laden water train— as it may be termed— reaching its destination, the machinery section shall be disconnected and transferred to another train of empty vessels, with which it will return, while those it has just brought into port are being unladen. The advantages of such a ;ilau, if practicable, are , obvious ; but the means proposed to that end are so' novel that at the first sight of the model vessel, few persons can avoid entertaining doubts as to its success. The vessel, as it at present lies in the river, consists of three compartments connected together by projecting bolts fastening in the eyes of overlapping iron sponsoons. ' The idea of excessive frielion upon these connecting points naturally presents itself as a probable didiculty to the success of the plan ; but the inventor and captain of the vessel, Mr. Mac Sweeney affirms that the amount of friction is surprisingly small, and certainly after more than two years' wear no signs of injury are discernible in either bolts or sponsoons. although the vessel has twice made the passage from Hartlepool to London, laden with 43 tons of coal in heavy weather. When it is borne in mind that the three connected compartments are 110 feet in length, with a beam of only 8 feet 4 inches, and bulwarks, of only 2 feet in height, the motive power being an engine of 10-horse power, the j exposure of such a craft to the rou-jh waters of | the North Sea would seem to be a bold venture. However, the Connector went to Hartlepool and 1 returned, and on Tuesday she started upon, an experimental trio down the river to Reach. Notwithstanding her disproportionate length she was easily steered through the intricacies of the crowded Pool, her singular appearance and snakelike motion of her various sections exciting great great curiosity. At, Tilbury a stoppage became necessary to receive an accession of visitors, who wore brought off from the pier by the stern compartment alone, containing the machinery, which was disconnected from the other sections in less than half a minute, the means employed being a rack worked by a key upon deck whicli drew inwards the connecting bolts. The machinery section was afterwards reunited to the other compartments, an operation which occupied scarcely two minutes, and the journey towards the Nore was resumed. There was but little wind and less sea, so that it was not possible. to judge of how the Connector would behave when encoun tering heavy waves. Upon meeting the heavy wave caused by a large pa. ldle steamer, the 'ore compartment leaped up it to a very considerable angle, but the following compartments were en tirely unaffected by the motion. The managers of the vessel stated that such was the case at sea; that the fore compartment does all the toss ng, and opens a quiet path for the next sectio , a feat interesting to many sea travellers, but the importance of which is qualified by an admission that, although not given much to rolling, the connected vessels are apt in rough weather to acquire a considerable " list." During a portion of the run sal was hoisted upon the masts, one of which is eurriud by ea.-h sectio:;, but there was no opportunity of testing the alleged stiffness under canvas oj this novel craft. Whatever may be the ultimate practical value of the invention, which it is said has received the approval of many nautical and engineering authorities, there can be no doubt of its ingenuity, nor of the success wliich has attended "the performances of the experimental Conne. tor. — Times, l'Jth Aug.