[150] The strategic value of steam power in warfare was first demonstrated by Lord John Hay in ’30. In the operations on the North Coast of Spain “the opportune arrival of a reinforcement of fifteen hundred fresh troops from Santander, by one steamer alone, despatched the previous day from San Sebastian, a distance of a hundred miles, for that express purpose, gave a decisive and important turn to the transactions of that day” (Otway: _Steam Navigation_). [151] Fincham. [152] The author of this work, M. Paucton, in addition to discussing the possibility of replacing the oar by the screw, threw out the suggestion of its use for aerial flight. “Je sçais qu’on ne peut guère manquer de faire rire, en voulant donner des aîles à un homme. Je sçais que plusieurs personnes, qui out osé prendre l’effor dans les airs, n’ont pas eu un meilleur succès que l’imprudent Icare.” Nevertheless, it is incontestable that a man can lift more than his weight. And if he were to employ his full force on a machine which could act on air as does the screw, it would lift him by its aid through the air as it will propel him through the water. M. Paucton hastened to calm the incredulous reader by assuring him with an affectation of levity that he was not really serious. “Il est permis de s’égayer quelquefois.” [153] A full account of these is given in Bourne’s _Treatise on the Screw Propeller_. [154] Weale: _Papers on Engineering_. [155] The _Archimedes_, with a 3-foot stroke engine which worked at 27 strokes per minute, was run against the _Widgeon_, the fastest paddlewheel steamer on the Dover station. Two points of importance were noted by the Admiralty representatives with reference to the propelling machinery of the _Archimedes_: the objectionable noise made by the spur-wheels, and their liability to damage and derangement. As, however, Mr. Smith proposed to obviate this objection “by substituting spiral gearing in lieu of the cogs” the representatives did not lay stress on these disadvantages. [156] A similar paradox was accidentally revealed in the case of the paddlewheel. It was at first thought that, the broader the floats the greater would be the pull. A certain steam vessel, however, being found to have too much beam to allow her to pass into a lock, was altered by having her floats and paddle-boxes made narrower. It was found that her speed had thereby been improved (Otway). [157] Note sur l’État des Forces Navales de la France, 1844. [158] Parliamentary Report on Screw Propulsion in H.M. Navy, 1850. [159] Sir Howard Douglas was instrumental in bringing to the notice of the Government the aggressive aims implied by the _Enquête Parlementaire_: His notes were printed confidentially in ’53 at the press of the Foreign Office. Vide his _Defence of England_, published in 1860. [160] _The Navies of the World._ Hans Busk, M.A., 1859.