A History of the Growth of the Steam-EngineThurston, Robert Henry
History
A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine
Thurston, Robert Henry
Steam-engines -- History
How early this invention was introduced at Raglan Castle by Worcester
is not known, but it was probably not much later than 1628. In 1647
Dircks shows the marquis probably to have been engaged in getting out
parts of the later engine which was erected at Vauxhall, obtaining
his materials from William Lambert, a brass-founder. His patent was
issued in June, 1663.
[Illustration: FIG. 7.--Worcester's Steam Fountain, A. D. 1650.]
We nowhere find an illustrated description of the machine, or such an
account as would enable a mechanic to reproduce it in all its details.
Fortunately, the cells and grooves (Fig. 9) remaining in the wall of
the citadel of Raglan Castle indicate the general dimensions and
arrangement of the engine; and Dircks, the biographer of the inventor,
has suggested the form of apparatus shown in the sketch (Fig. 8) as
most perfectly in accord with the evidence there found, and with the
written specifications.
The two vessels, _A A´_, are connected by a steam-pipe, _B B´_, with
the boiler, _C_, behind them. _D_ is the furnace. A vertical
water-pipe, _E_, is connected with the cold-water vessels, _A A´_, by
the pipes, _F F´_, reaching nearly to the bottom. Water is supplied by
the pipes, _G G´_, with valves, _a a´_, dipping into the well or
ditch, _H_. Steam from the boiler being admitted to each vessel, _A_
and _A´_, alternately, and there condensing, the vacuum formed permits
the pressure of the atmosphere to force the water from the well
through the pipes, _G_ and _G´_. While one is filling, the steam is
forcing the charge of water from the other up the discharge-pipe, _E_.
As soon as each is emptied, the steam is shut off from it and turned
into the other, and the condensation of the steam remaining in the
vessel permits it to fill again. As will be seen presently, this is
substantially, and almost precisely, the form of engine of which the
invention is usually attributed to Savery, a later inventor.
[Illustration: FIG. 8.--Worcester's Engine, A. D. 1665.]
[Illustration: FIG. 9.--Wall of Raglan Castle.]
Worcester never succeeded in forming the great company which he hoped
would introduce his invention on a scale commensurate with its
importance, and his fate was that of nearly all inventors. He died
poor and unsuccessful.
His widow, who lived until 1681, seemed to have become as confident as
was Worcester himself that the invention had value, and, long after
his death, was still endeavoring to secure its introduction, but with
equal non-success. The steam-engine had taken a form which made it
inconceivably valuable to the world, at a time when no more efficient
means of raising water was available at the most valuable mines than
horse-power; but the people, greatly as it was needed, were not yet
sufficiently intelligent to avail themselves of the great boon, the
acceptance of which was urged upon them with all the persistence and
earnestness which characterizes every true inventor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account