CROSS-SECTION OF A TANK STEAMSHIP, SHOWING THE EXPANSION TANK, 244 LOADING A TANK STEAMSHIP WITH OIL, BY FORCE PUMPS, 245 THE PORT OF ADEN, ARABIA, 270 A DECK-BATH IN THE TROPICS, 271 PROMENADE DECK OF AN ORIENT LINER, 274 LANDING PASSENGERS AT NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA, 279 STEAMER AT ANCHOR, SIMON’S BAY, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, 291 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STEAMSHIP. BY COMMANDER F. E. CHADWICK, U. S. NAVY. SLOW GROWTH OF THE IDEA OF STEAM PROPULSION—MODELS SHOWN AT THE LIVERPOOL EXHIBITION IN 1886—CLAIMS OF PRECEDENCE IN THE INVENTION OF STEAMBOATS—WHAT FULTON ACCOMPLISHED—THE CLERMONT—THE VOYAGE OF THE SAVANNAH IN 1819—THE FIRST WAR STEAMER—THE ATLANTIC CROSSED BY THE SIRIUS AND GREAT WESTERN IN 1838—FOUNDING OF THE CUNARD COMPANY—INVENTION OF THE SCREW PROPELLER—ITS APPLICATION TO THE ARCHIMEDES AND THE GREAT BRITAIN—EARLY FLEET OF THE CUNARD COMPANY—AMERICAN ENTERPRISES—THE SCREW STEAMER PRINCETON—ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PACIFIC MAIL—THE COLLINS LINE—ITS SUCCESS AND ULTIMATE FAILURE—THE GREAT EASTERN—BEGINNING OF GREAT RIVALRY IN SPEED—TRIPLE EXPANSION ENGINES—IMPORTANT CHANGES IN DESIGN. It is a wonderful fact in the swift expansion of mechanical knowledge and appliances of the last hundred years that while for unknown ages the wind was the only propelling force used for purposes of navigation, apart from the rude application of power through oars worked by men, the whole scheme of steam transport has grown, practically, to its present wonderful perfection within the lifetime of men yet living.