"This was about 45,000 lbs. weight, with the speed of 200 feet per
minute, which makes the duty performed more than the power of three
72-inch cylinders, single, of Boulton and Watt, say of 8-feet stroke,
10 lbs. to the inch, nine strokes per minute, which is more than these
engines will perform. I have all the orders for every engine now
required in the country, which is not to be wondered at, for one-tenth
part of the expense in the erection will do, and the duty is not less
than three times as much as other engines. This will be proved before
we get to the bottom.
"The engine now works at about two-fifths of the load which she will
have when at the bottom. When the next lift is in fork I will write to
you again.
"I am, Sir, your humble servant,
"RICHARD TREVITHICK."
Independent examiners reported that the Herland pole-engine did
forty-eight millions of duty, under various pressures of steam,
up to 120 lbs. to the inch, working five-sixths of the stroke
expansively, with a speed of twenty strokes a minute, or double the
speed of the Watt engine; and the importance of those facts deserves
the scrutiny and close study of youthful engineers. A small cheap
engine, of 33-inch cylinder, similar in general construction to the
Wheal Prosper pole-engine, but still more simple from the absence of
air-pump and condenser, did as much work as three of Watt's largest
engines with cylinders of 72 inches in diameter. This great stride
in the useful value of the steam-engine was forced on the public by
Trevithick's single-handed energy, when every man was against him,
even Henry Harvey, his brother-in-law and friend, his former partner,
Andrew Vivian, and his once carpenter and assistant, Arthur Woolf.
As a closing attempt to finally crush him, he was made personally
responsible for the payment of an engine erected for the benefit of
others. This was the great trial test of the power and economy of the
purely high-pressure expansive steam-engine as compared with the Watt
low-pressure vacuum engine applied to large pumps.
"SIR, "HAYLE FOUNDRY, _18th April, 1816_.
"I was at Herland to-day. Captain Grose received a letter while I was
there, signed by Captain William Davey and Joseph Vivian, requesting
him to appoint others to attend the trial of the engine, as it would
not be convenient for them to do it.
"Captain Samuel Grose, jun., brought down the drawing for your engine.
He said he had taken off the working gear only. If you would wish it,
we will make the working-gear and all the wrought-iron work on the
drawing for the two engines ordered, and will take on a man or two
immediately for that purpose. You will let me know about this before
you set off, and also if any alteration is to be made in the beam for
Wheal Treasure engine, since you have altered the size of the pole. We
had cast the case, but I suppose it will suit some place else.
"Your obedient servant,
"HENRY HARVEY.
"MR. RICHARD TREVITHICK."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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