Steam Diagram of Wheal Towan Pumping EngineSteam Diagram of Wheal Towan Pumping Engine, erected 1827.
Steam Diagram of Wheal Towan Pumping Engine, erected 1827.
The late Sir John Rennie and other scientific persons were, about 1830, associated with Mr. Henwood[114]in examining the work performed by Cornish pumping engines: their reports are curtailed in the following comments on Wheal Towan engine, similar to Trevithick's Dolcoath engine of 1816, except perhaps that the last named was a little inferior in its detail movements, while much less care was taken to avoid unnecessary loss of heat.
Mr. Henwood also gave indicator diagrams of the expansion of the steam, on one of which the writer has marked ten horizontal lines, indicating the position of the piston at each foot of its stroke, and ten longitudinal lines dividing the diameter of the cylinder into tenths. The steam pressure in the boiler was 46·8 lbs. on the square inch above the atmosphere, or 4·68 lbs. for each of the ten longitudinal line divisions.xtocrepresents the top of the steam-cylinder 80 inches, diameter;xto F the length of the cylinder for a 10-feet stroke of the piston. By the time the piston had moved through one-twentieth of its course, reachingc, the expansive working had commenced; and when one-tenth of the stroke had been run, half of a division was cut off, showing by the curved indicator line the decrease in pressure of steam to 44.46 lbs. The comparatively small passage through the steam-valve not giving room for sufficient steam to follow up the increasing speed of the piston, led to its continued expansion in the cylinder, and by the time the piston had moved 2 feet, reaching D, the steam pressure was reduced by two divisions or 9.36 lbs., or a pressure of 37.44 lbs. on the piston; at this point the steam-valve was closed, and the remaining four-fifths of the stroke was performed by expansion; at the fifth horizontal line, or middle of the stroke, only three divisions of steam are left, giving a pressure of 14.04 lbs. to the inch; at the finish of the stroke there is only half a division, from E to F, or 2.34 lbs. of steam to the inch above the pressure of the atmosphere. On the return up-stroke of the piston, when it had reached within a foot of the finish of its course at C, the equilibrium valve closed, causing the enclosed steam of 2.34 lbs. to the inch to be compressed at the finish of the up-stroke shown by the curve G A to 9.36 lbs. on the inch, equal to its pressure about the middle of the down-stroke at N.
Trevithick's expansive engine therefore, commencing its work with steam of 46.8 lbs. on the inch above the atmosphere, only took a full supply from the boiler during one-tenth of its stroke, and none after one-fifth had been performed, while at the finish of the stroke it had about the same pressure as Watt began with.
Thepowerof the Watt low-pressure steam vacuum pumping engine was increased by Trevithick from two to three fold, and its economical duty in about the same proportion; in other words, he increased the effectivepower of the steam-engine two or three fold without additional consumption of coal.
In the Wheal Towan engine the steam-cylinder was 80 inches in diameter, with a 10-feet stroke. The shaft was 900 feet in depth; the main pumps 16 inches in diameter; the pump-rods were of wood, about 14 inches square, and weighed more than the column of water in the pipes. The boilers were Trevithick's cylindrical with internal tube, wholly of wrought iron. The cylinder and steam-pipes were surrounded with sawdust about 20 inches in thickness, as a non-conductor of heat. The upper surfaces of the boilers were covered with a layer of ashes for the same purpose. The duty performed was 86·58 millions of pounds of water, raised one foot high by the consumption of a bushel of coal weighing 84 lbs. The immense power and economy of this engine are best understood by its average labour costing only one farthing in coal for lifting 1000 tons one foot high.
At or about that time an old intimate of Trevithick's, Captain Nicholas Vivian, managed the mine, and Mr. Neville, a shareholder, also a user of steam-engines in Wales, observing the economical working of Wheal Towan high-pressure steam expansive engine, doing eighty-seven millions, requested its manager to examine colliery engines, all of which were of the low-pressure kind; one of them was a Newcomen atmospheric, whose duty was six millions; four or five others were Watt low-pressure steam vacuum engines, doing fourteen millions; therefore the high-pressure steam-engine did six times as much work with a bucket of coal as the low-pressure steam vacuum, and fourteen times as much as the low-pressure steam atmospheric engine. Several competitive trials by the county engineers were published about that time, in one of which, after a personal examination of the engine, Mr. W. J. Henwood[115]and others reported a duty of 92·6 millions with a 91-lb. bushel of coal.[116]
Mr. Rennie had been a pupil, a fellow-worker with low-pressure Watt, and while his son, Sir John Rennie, was examining the high-pressure steam expansive engine erected by Trevithick's pupil, Captain Samuel Grose, under the management of Trevithick's friend, Captain Nicholas Vivian, the latter was engaged in reporting on certain low-pressure steam-engines in Wales, one of which was a Newcomen's atmospheric, probably the last of its race, whose principle of construction was a century old, working in company with the Watt low-pressure steam vacuum engine, then half a century old, the principles of both systems being on their last legs, and under the care of Trevithick's supporters.
During this jumble of engines, old and new, without a clear comprehension of their differences in principle, Trevithick, who had just returned from America, and lived within a few miles of Wheal Towan, looked on unconsulted and unconcerned on questions which in his mind had been settled by him in Dolcoath fifteen or twenty years before. The writer, during the Wheal Towan controversy, was the daily companion of Trevithick, and made drawings of the engine at the works of Harvey and Co., of Hayle, where it was constructed about 1827.
Captain Samuel Grose's Wheal Towan engine was in general character similar to his teacher's Dolcoath76-inch engine of 1816, working with about the same steam pressure and degree of expansion. The valves, gear, and nozzles were perhaps improved in detail; but the groundwork was unchanged. The first high-pressure steam Cornish pumping engine made in France was designed and superintended by the writer at the works of Messrs. Perrier, Edwards, and Chaper, at Pompe-à-feu, in Chaillot, a suburb of Paris. The principle was the same as the Dolcoath engine, and the detail differed but little from it or the Wheal Towan, except that its exterior was a little more artistic than its prototypes in Cornwall, in keeping with French requirements. It was built in 1836, within a few yards of the low-pressure steam pumping engine erected by Perrier and others in 1779, which still continued pumping water from the Seine for the supply of Paris. Stuart says, "An engine by Boulton and Watt was sent to France, and erected by M. Perrier at Chaillot, near Paris. The French engineer, Proney, with a detestable illiberality, attributes all the merit of the improvements in the Chaillot engine to his friend Perrier, the person who merely put together the pieces he had brought from Soho."[117]
The Perrier of 1779 was related to the Perrier of the Pompe-à-feu engine-building works of 1836, and his nephew took the Trevithick engine from Paris to a coal mine not far from Brussels, but not fully understanding the use of the balance-bob—the woodwork for which had not been completed in Paris, though all other parts had been fully erected—did not find it easy to manage the engine. The writer viewed Perrier's move as an infringement of the agreement between him and Edwards,the partner of Perrier and Chaper, and therefore declined to take any further interest in the engine.
Mr. Edwards had before that been a partner with Woolf, in a small engineering works in Lambeth; and the writer had also before that been a pupil of Woolf's, in the works of Messrs. Harvey and Co., of Hayle.
The drawing of 'La Belle Machine' (Plate XIII.), of 1836, serves not only as a record of that time, but also in conjunction with the drawing of Dolcoath engine of 1816, enables an engineer to form a sufficiently correct idea of the Wheal Towan engine and boilers of 1827, which in effective duty is scarcely excelled by the best pumping engines of the present day.
The events connected with those Paris engines bring together the engineering works of Watt, Proney, Perrier, Trevithick, and Woolf, in the person of his once partner, Edwards. The writer, when constructing 'La Belle Machine,' had not the slightest knowledge of those links, and heard the name and repute of his engine by the following chance:—
In 1838 a passenger leaving the train of the Great Western Railway at Drayton Station, asked the writer's permission to walk on the line and examine its construction. During a short conversation he mentioned the having purchased at a sale in France the drawings of an engine known as 'La Belle Machine,' representing the Cornish high-pressure expansive steam pumping engine:—a, steam-cylinder, 48 inches in diameter, 8-feet stroke;b, steam-pipe from boiler;c, regulating steam-valve, double beat;d, regulating rod and handle for steam-valve;e, expansive steam-valve, double beat;f, balanced lever and rod for opening expansive valve;g, expansive clamp on plug-rod, with regulating rod and thumb-screws;h, cataract-rod for relieving expansivevalve-catch;i, quadrant relieving the catch;j, plug-rod;k, equilibrium valve, double beat;l, clamp in plug-rod to close equilibrium valve by its action on the handle;m, balanced lever and rod to open equilibrium valve;n, quadrant and catch relieving equilibrium valve by the action of cataract-rod;o, regulating slide on cataract-rod;p, equilibrium steam-pipe conveying steam from the top to the bottom of the piston;q, exhaust-valve, double beat;r, clamp on plug-rod, closing the exhaust-valve by its descent on the handle;s, balance lever and rod, opening exhaust-valve;t, quadrant and catch, relieving equilibrium valve by the action of cataract-rod;u, regulating slide on cataract-rod;v, exhaust-pipe to condenser;w, Y-posts for carrying the gear. The steam in the boiler was from 40 lbs. to 50 lbs. on the square inch above the atmosphere.
LA BELLE MACHINEPLATE 13.LA BELLE MACHINE. HIGH PRESSURE STEAM EXPANSION PUMPING ENGINE.—1836.London: E.& F N. Span. 48, Charing Cross. Kell. Bros. Lith. London.
PLATE 13.LA BELLE MACHINE. HIGH PRESSURE STEAM EXPANSION PUMPING ENGINE.—1836.
London: E.& F N. Span. 48, Charing Cross. Kell. Bros. Lith. London.
Lean states that had the pumping engines at work in Cornwall in 1835 remained unimproved since 1814, at which time they had benefited by three years of continuous improvement, a yearly additional expenditure of 80,000l.for coal would have been the consequence, and that the first step was Trevithick's expansive steam from the cylindrical tubular boiler, engines using such steam performing a duty three or four fold what Boulton and Watt had ever attained, or perhaps thought possible of attainment.[118]The birth of the idea of using expansive steam may in truth be traced back nearly one hundred years to the time of Newcomen's atmospheric engine, and the hope expressed in 1746 of a smaller boiler and more elastic steam[119]was partially realized in the engine and boiler of Trevithick, sen., in Bullan Garden in 1775, followed in 1780 by the competingengine erected by Watt in Dolcoath Mine, under Trevithick's management. Little further change was made until 1799, when the globular boiler and internal tube of Trevithick, jun., gave a second start to the use in large engines of more expansive steam; and even this partial move was the result of years of thought and practical experiment; for in 1792, when twenty-one years of age, he was the elected judge on a competitive trial between the Watt engine at Seal-hole, patented in 1782, and Hornblower's double-cylinder engine at Tin Croft. Each engine performed a duty of ten millions, both of them were called expansive, while in fact neither of them were so, for the pressure of the steam in the boiler did not admit of it. As Lean says, "As the steam used was raised but little above the pressure of the atmosphere, it was found that the power gained did not compensate for the inconvenience of a more complicated and more expensive machine." Or, as Watt said to Robert Hart, "We resolved to give up the expansion of the steam until we could get men that could work it," as he found it more costly than profitable. Again in 1798, Trevithick's own writing records his experiment in Dolcoath between the Bullan Garden 45-inch atmospheric engine and the Watt 63-inch great double-acting engine, when the latter did sixteen millions to ten millions by the atmospheric. At that very time he was constructing his high-pressure steam portable engines, and in the following year, after seven years of most active experience, prompted by the Watt lawsuit against Cornish engineers, he in 1799 gave the beaten 45-inch engine steam of a higher pressure from the stronger globular boiler. People, following the ideas of Watt, were still afraid of Trevithick's plans, distinctly laid down in his letters of1806, recommending a cylindrical boiler for the Dolcoath pumping engine, because similar boilers giving steam to his whim-engines have enabled them to beat the Watt whims. This continued until 1810, when the greatly-increased power and economy of the high-pressure expansive steam pumping engine at Wheal Prosper caused the neighbouring Dolcoath in 1811 to give Trevithick's plans free scope. The long smouldering rivalry between low and high pressure, on the eve of the final discomfiture of the former, burst forth in loud words and evil prognostications, causing the mining interest of Cornwall to appoint an examiner who should publish monthly the duty performed by the various pumping engines, the first of which appeared in the autumn of 1811, when Trevithick was building his boilers in Dolcoath, and preparing the engines, as far as was possible, to submit to strong steam. By expansive valves and suitable gear, balance of power between the engine and the pump-work necessitating balance-bobs, strengthening the pit-work to bear the more powerful and sudden movement, and fifty other things, which we know must have presented themselves in such work, occupied the greater part of Trevithick's time from 1811 to 1814. That first report enumerates twelve pumping-engines, probably all of them Watt engines, averaging a duty of seventeen millions.
We have before traced the rapid and immense increase in the power and in the duty of Cornish pumping engines from 1811, and it may be taken as comparatively true in the larger sense applying to the improvement of the steam-engine everywhere.
Dolcoath Mine, one hundred years ago, under the management of Trevithick, sen., followed by his son as the strong-steam engineer, and by his grandson as oneof the committee of management in these modern times, has served during that long period to illustrate the progress of the steam-engine, and still in active operation, was thus spoken of in 'The Times' of Dec. 18th, 1871:—"This old and extraordinary mine is now raising about 100 tons of tin every month, worth from 8000l.to 9000l."
ENGINES FOR SOUTH AMERICA.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,May 20th, 1813.Sir,"Yours of the 7th inst. I should have answered by return, as requested; but an unexpected circumstance prevented my being at Swansea as early as proposed, which, as it happens, best suits your purpose as well as my own. I shall not be able to be there within twenty days from this time, of which I will give you timely notice. I hope before that time Mrs. Rastrick will be safe out of the straw. I have been detained in consequence of a strange gentleman calling on me, who arrived at Falmouth about ten days since, from Lima, in South America, for the sole purpose of taking out steam-engines, pumps, and sundry other mining materials to the gold and silver mines of Mexico and Peru. He was recommended to me to furnish him with mining utensils and mining information. He was six months on his passage, which did not agree with his health, and has kept his bed ever since he came on shore; but is now much recovered, and hopes to be able to go down in the Cornish mines with me in a few days. I have already an order from him for six engines, which is but a very small part of what he wants. I am making drawings for you, and intend to be with you as soon as they are finished. Money is very plentiful with him, and if you will engage to finish a certain quantity of work by a given time, you may have the money before you begin the job. The West India engine will suit his purpose. I shall have a great deal of business to do with you when we meet. In the meantime please to forward the thrashing engines to Cornwall as quickly as possible. The engine for Plymouth will be put to break the ground as soon as I can findtime to go up there. Please to say when and by what ship I shall have the small engines."I remain, Sir,"Your very obedient servant,"R.."ToMr. John U. Rastrick,"Bridgenorth, Shropshire."The copper mine mentioned in my last is improving very fast."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,May 20th, 1813.
Sir,
"Yours of the 7th inst. I should have answered by return, as requested; but an unexpected circumstance prevented my being at Swansea as early as proposed, which, as it happens, best suits your purpose as well as my own. I shall not be able to be there within twenty days from this time, of which I will give you timely notice. I hope before that time Mrs. Rastrick will be safe out of the straw. I have been detained in consequence of a strange gentleman calling on me, who arrived at Falmouth about ten days since, from Lima, in South America, for the sole purpose of taking out steam-engines, pumps, and sundry other mining materials to the gold and silver mines of Mexico and Peru. He was recommended to me to furnish him with mining utensils and mining information. He was six months on his passage, which did not agree with his health, and has kept his bed ever since he came on shore; but is now much recovered, and hopes to be able to go down in the Cornish mines with me in a few days. I have already an order from him for six engines, which is but a very small part of what he wants. I am making drawings for you, and intend to be with you as soon as they are finished. Money is very plentiful with him, and if you will engage to finish a certain quantity of work by a given time, you may have the money before you begin the job. The West India engine will suit his purpose. I shall have a great deal of business to do with you when we meet. In the meantime please to forward the thrashing engines to Cornwall as quickly as possible. The engine for Plymouth will be put to break the ground as soon as I can findtime to go up there. Please to say when and by what ship I shall have the small engines.
"I remain, Sir,"Your very obedient servant,"R..
"ToMr. John U. Rastrick,"Bridgenorth, Shropshire.
"The copper mine mentioned in my last is improving very fast."
The strange gentleman referred to was Don Francisco Uville, a person of great influence in Lima, who a year or two before had travelled from Peru to England and back, in search of steam-engines to pump water from the ancient gold and silver mines then flooded and idle. Boulton and Watt, at Soho, on being consulted, discouraged the attempt, because of the difficulty of conveying heavy machinery over mountain pathways, and also because their low-pressure vacuum engine, using steam but slightly above atmospheric pressure, would be much less effective in the comparatively light atmosphere on the high summits of the Cordillera Mountains than in England. Uville, who had heard of the wonderful ability of English engineers to construct steam pumping engines, was utterly downhearted at this decision of the great Soho engineers, and while dejectedly wandering through the streets of London, unconsciously gazed into the shop window of Mr. Roland in Fitzroy Square, near the spot on which Trevithick had run his railway locomotive three years before.[120]Rumour of passed events may have led him to visit the ground on which had worked a new kind of steam-engine. His searching glance discovered among numerous articles for sale, an unknown form that might bethe talisman he had travelled thousands of miles in search of. The shopkeeper informed him that it was a model of Richard Trevithick's high-pressure steam-engine, which worked without condensing water, or vacuum. If what he heard was true, why should it not work equally well in the light atmosphere of the mines? The great engineer at Soho might be in error or ignorance. The experiment, as a last resource, was worth making. He would pay the 20l.for the model, carry it to the mines of Cerro de Pasco, in the high mountains above Lima, where, if it worked as well as it did in London, the rich mines of Peru would again reveal their long-hidden treasure. The model was conveyed by ship to Lima, and then on a mule up the narrow precipitous ascents to Cerro de Pasco, over mountains more than 20,000 feet high. Fire was placed in the small boiler as he had seen it done in London, and with the same result, to the great joy of Uville, who determined to revisit England in search of the inventor of this new and wonderful power. On his return voyage, when rounding Cape Horn, bets were made on the chances of his finding the man who had invented the high-pressure steam-puffer engine,[121]and of his being able to persuade such a person to make the required engines and accompany them to Peru. Such gloomy forebodings ended in an attack of brain fever. The vessel touched at Jamaica, where Uville was landed. On recovering health and strength he embarked for England in one of the packet-ships, and during the voyage still spoke of the object of his search. A fellow-traveller, called Captain Teague, rejoiced him by saying, "I know all about it; it is the easiest thing in the world. The inventor of your high-pressure steam-engine is a cousin of mine, living within a few miles of Falmouth, the port we are bound for." On landing, Uville, still weak and obliged to keep his bed, was told that Trevithick, the engineer, lived in London, and was constructing the Thames Tunnel; but further inquiry showed that he also had suffered from brain fever, and had just returned to Penponds, only a few miles from Falmouth. On the 10th of May, 1813, a letter reached Trevithick, requesting him to visit the sick Uville, and in a fortnight from that time the engineer had mastered the requirements of the Peruvian mines, and had designed and made arrangements for the supply of six pumping engines, together with the pumps and all things necessary for the underground workings; the whole to be delivered in four months.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,May 22nd, 1813.Sir,"I have engaged to get six engines, with pit-work, &c., to send abroad. A great part of the wrought-iron work and the boilers I have arranged for in Cornwall. These engines will be high-pressure engines, because the place they are for has a very deep adit driven into the mountain; and lifting condensing water to the surface would be a greater load than the whole of the work under the adit level."I call a set of work, a 24-inch cylinder single engine, 6-feet stroke, piston, cylinder bottom, single nozzle, with two 5-inch valves and perpendicular pipe; no cylinder top; the piston-rod not to be turned; 3-inch safety-valve, fire-door, two small Y[**symbol] shafts and gear-handles, &c.; a good strong winch set in a broadish frame, such as is often used on quays or in quarries, 25 fathoms of 12-inch pumps, a 12-inch plunger, an 11-inch working barrel, clack-seat and wind-bore, with brass boshes and clacks, a force-pump for the boiler, and 10 fathoms of 3-inch pipes to carry the water to and from the engines. I have engaged to supply six full sets of the above-mentioned materials."All these castings must be delivered in Cornwall in four months from the time the orders are given; therefore, if you take the job, or any part of it, you must enter into an engagement to fulfil it in the time. As there ought not to be a moment lost, I wish you to answer me immediately in what time you will deliver those materials in Cornwall; or otherways, what part of them you can execute in the time."I am making the drawing, which will be ready before I can receive your answer. For whatever part of the job you may engage I will lodge the money to pay for the whole in Mr. Fox's hands, which will then be paid for before you begin the work, as soon as you execute the agreement."R. T."Mr. Pengilly,Neath Abbey, South Wales."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,May 22nd, 1813.
Sir,
"I have engaged to get six engines, with pit-work, &c., to send abroad. A great part of the wrought-iron work and the boilers I have arranged for in Cornwall. These engines will be high-pressure engines, because the place they are for has a very deep adit driven into the mountain; and lifting condensing water to the surface would be a greater load than the whole of the work under the adit level.
"I call a set of work, a 24-inch cylinder single engine, 6-feet stroke, piston, cylinder bottom, single nozzle, with two 5-inch valves and perpendicular pipe; no cylinder top; the piston-rod not to be turned; 3-inch safety-valve, fire-door, two small Y[**symbol] shafts and gear-handles, &c.; a good strong winch set in a broadish frame, such as is often used on quays or in quarries, 25 fathoms of 12-inch pumps, a 12-inch plunger, an 11-inch working barrel, clack-seat and wind-bore, with brass boshes and clacks, a force-pump for the boiler, and 10 fathoms of 3-inch pipes to carry the water to and from the engines. I have engaged to supply six full sets of the above-mentioned materials.
"All these castings must be delivered in Cornwall in four months from the time the orders are given; therefore, if you take the job, or any part of it, you must enter into an engagement to fulfil it in the time. As there ought not to be a moment lost, I wish you to answer me immediately in what time you will deliver those materials in Cornwall; or otherways, what part of them you can execute in the time.
"I am making the drawing, which will be ready before I can receive your answer. For whatever part of the job you may engage I will lodge the money to pay for the whole in Mr. Fox's hands, which will then be paid for before you begin the work, as soon as you execute the agreement.
"R. T.
"Mr. Pengilly,Neath Abbey, South Wales."
It is an odd coincidence that while writing of the events of fifty-eight years ago, pumping engines are being sent to those same mines with the steam-cylinder in twenty-two pieces, no piece to weigh more than 300 lbs.—a facility in mechanical arrangements not enjoyed by Trevithick—having Trevithick's high-pressure boilers, giving steam of 50 lbs. on the inch.[122]
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,June 2nd, 1813."Sir."I drop you this note just to inform you that I have begun your job. Yesterday I engaged a great many smiths and boiler-builders, who set to work this morning. I have also engaged all the boiler-plates in the county, which will be sent to-day to the different workmen. The master-smiths that I have engaged are the best in the kingdom. I have obligated them to put the best quality of iron, and to be delivered at Falmouth within four months. I have been obliged to give them a greater price than I expected, otherwise they would not turn aside their usual business employment for a short job of four months."Mr. Teague is with me, and one other, assisting about thedrawings. If you call at Camborne about Friday, shall be able to show you the designs. The drawings for the castings will be sent to the iron-founders by the end of this week; and by the end of next week shall have the whole of the different tradesmen in full employ. If you wish to have a greater quantity of machinery ready by the end of September, there ought to be as little time as possible lost in giving your orders. I can get you double the quantity, provided you give the orders in time."As soon as it is convenient to you to arrange the payments I would thank you to inform me, because we find in practice that the best way to make a labouring machine turn quickly on its centres, is to keep them well oiled."R. T."F. Uville, Esq.,Mr. Hooper's,Falmouth."N.B.—If you intend to be at Camborne, please to drop me a note by post, and I will be at home."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,June 2nd, 1813.
"Sir.
"I drop you this note just to inform you that I have begun your job. Yesterday I engaged a great many smiths and boiler-builders, who set to work this morning. I have also engaged all the boiler-plates in the county, which will be sent to-day to the different workmen. The master-smiths that I have engaged are the best in the kingdom. I have obligated them to put the best quality of iron, and to be delivered at Falmouth within four months. I have been obliged to give them a greater price than I expected, otherwise they would not turn aside their usual business employment for a short job of four months.
"Mr. Teague is with me, and one other, assisting about thedrawings. If you call at Camborne about Friday, shall be able to show you the designs. The drawings for the castings will be sent to the iron-founders by the end of this week; and by the end of next week shall have the whole of the different tradesmen in full employ. If you wish to have a greater quantity of machinery ready by the end of September, there ought to be as little time as possible lost in giving your orders. I can get you double the quantity, provided you give the orders in time.
"As soon as it is convenient to you to arrange the payments I would thank you to inform me, because we find in practice that the best way to make a labouring machine turn quickly on its centres, is to keep them well oiled.
"R. T.
"F. Uville, Esq.,Mr. Hooper's,Falmouth.
"N.B.—If you intend to be at Camborne, please to drop me a note by post, and I will be at home."
In all Trevithick's moves there was a scramble for money, in which he invariably came worst off. He could give a good hint that working centres would not turn well without the essential oil; but he failed to apply the principle to himself. Liberal words and golden prospects carried him off at once; and before Uville was strong enough to visit the Cornish mines and to fully explain what he wanted, the machinery was being made, though at that same time the thrashing and ploughing engines, and the locomotive and rock-boring engine, and the great fight with Watt at Dolcoath, were in progress.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,June 8th, 1813."Mr. Rastrick,"Sir,—Enclosed I send to you a drawing for a set of pumps for one of the engines for South America, with a drawing for a part of the castings for one of the boilers, for you to make a beginning. The drawings for the engines I will send in a few days. The Spanish gentleman who is now gone toLondon to arrange his money concerns, will be down again in about ten or twelve days, and then we shall both call at Bridgenorth, and bring with us the engagement for you to sign, for the performance of such quantities of work as you can execute in four months."I have made arrangements with the smiths and boiler-builders here, to weigh and pay at the end of every week. The regulation of your payment is left to you to point out in any way you please. As time is of the greatest consequence, I hope you will set to work immediately."The reason for making the pumps so short, is on account of the extreme badness of the roads over the mountains, where these engines are to be conveyed, it being almost impossible to carry above five hundredweight in one piece. The West India engine is sold to send to Lima, but not to be conveyed over the mountains. I shall also bring drawings with me for one or two winding engines for the same place. Please write to me by return of post."R. T."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,June 8th, 1813.
"Mr. Rastrick,
"Sir,—Enclosed I send to you a drawing for a set of pumps for one of the engines for South America, with a drawing for a part of the castings for one of the boilers, for you to make a beginning. The drawings for the engines I will send in a few days. The Spanish gentleman who is now gone toLondon to arrange his money concerns, will be down again in about ten or twelve days, and then we shall both call at Bridgenorth, and bring with us the engagement for you to sign, for the performance of such quantities of work as you can execute in four months.
"I have made arrangements with the smiths and boiler-builders here, to weigh and pay at the end of every week. The regulation of your payment is left to you to point out in any way you please. As time is of the greatest consequence, I hope you will set to work immediately.
"The reason for making the pumps so short, is on account of the extreme badness of the roads over the mountains, where these engines are to be conveyed, it being almost impossible to carry above five hundredweight in one piece. The West India engine is sold to send to Lima, but not to be conveyed over the mountains. I shall also bring drawings with me for one or two winding engines for the same place. Please write to me by return of post.
"R. T."
[Rough draft.]"Camborne, nearTruro,June 11th, 1813."Mr. Francis Uville,"atMessrs. Campbell and Co.'s, London."Sir,—I have your favour of the 9th instant, respecting the weight of the largest parts of the engines. I will take care to reduce the weight if possible, so as to be carried on the backs of mules."By the time I receive your letter I shall have arranged the whole of the engine business, and intend to go immediately to Wales and Shropshire, to get the engagements executed for the performance of the work by the time proposed. I shall write to you again before I leave home, and as soon as I arrive in Wales will also write to you. I shall not stay in Wales above two days, but go to Bridgenorth in Shropshire, where I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you, as it will only be about twelve hours' ride out of your road to Cornwall."In the North I shall introduce you to the sight of a great deal of mining and machinery, and in about ten days from thetime you arrive at Bridgenorth, shall be able to accomplish the business so as to return again to Cornwall."I would thank you to inform me as early as you can, of the number of engines you intend to get executed by the proposed time, because when I am in the North I shall be able to arrange with the founders accordingly. The smiths are all at work for you."R. T."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne, nearTruro,June 11th, 1813.
"Mr. Francis Uville,"atMessrs. Campbell and Co.'s, London.
"Sir,—I have your favour of the 9th instant, respecting the weight of the largest parts of the engines. I will take care to reduce the weight if possible, so as to be carried on the backs of mules.
"By the time I receive your letter I shall have arranged the whole of the engine business, and intend to go immediately to Wales and Shropshire, to get the engagements executed for the performance of the work by the time proposed. I shall write to you again before I leave home, and as soon as I arrive in Wales will also write to you. I shall not stay in Wales above two days, but go to Bridgenorth in Shropshire, where I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you, as it will only be about twelve hours' ride out of your road to Cornwall.
"In the North I shall introduce you to the sight of a great deal of mining and machinery, and in about ten days from thetime you arrive at Bridgenorth, shall be able to accomplish the business so as to return again to Cornwall.
"I would thank you to inform me as early as you can, of the number of engines you intend to get executed by the proposed time, because when I am in the North I shall be able to arrange with the founders accordingly. The smiths are all at work for you.
"R. T."
[Rough draft.]"Cornwall, Camborne,June 19th, 1813."Mr. Uville,"Sir,—Your favour of the 9th instant, dated from Falmouth, I received, and in return wrote to you immediately—directed for you at Messrs. Campbell and Co.'s, London. As you said in your last letter, that immediately on your arrival in town you would write to me, I have expected every post since last Tuesday would have brought me a letter; but as I have not received it according to your promise, I am fearful that your letter may be unexpectedly detained, especially as you told me the last time I saw you at Falmouth, that you would enclose me a bank post bill. All the founders and other tradesmen are in full employ on your engines."I intended to have left Cornwall for Wales and Shropshire by this time, with the founders' articles for execution; but being disappointed in not hearing from you, agreeable to our appointment, I shall delay it until I hear from you, which I must request you to have the goodness to do by return of post, because those delays make very much against the execution of your work; and as time is of so great a consequence to you, I hope you will not lose a moment in writing and giving me the necessary instructions, with a few drops of that essential oil that you proposed sending me on your arrival in town."R. T."
[Rough draft.]
"Cornwall, Camborne,June 19th, 1813.
"Mr. Uville,
"Sir,—Your favour of the 9th instant, dated from Falmouth, I received, and in return wrote to you immediately—directed for you at Messrs. Campbell and Co.'s, London. As you said in your last letter, that immediately on your arrival in town you would write to me, I have expected every post since last Tuesday would have brought me a letter; but as I have not received it according to your promise, I am fearful that your letter may be unexpectedly detained, especially as you told me the last time I saw you at Falmouth, that you would enclose me a bank post bill. All the founders and other tradesmen are in full employ on your engines.
"I intended to have left Cornwall for Wales and Shropshire by this time, with the founders' articles for execution; but being disappointed in not hearing from you, agreeable to our appointment, I shall delay it until I hear from you, which I must request you to have the goodness to do by return of post, because those delays make very much against the execution of your work; and as time is of so great a consequence to you, I hope you will not lose a moment in writing and giving me the necessary instructions, with a few drops of that essential oil that you proposed sending me on your arrival in town.
"R. T."
The sugar rolling-mill engine that had been made for the West Indies so pleased Uville that he purchased it at once, intending it for the Mint at Lima. He also ordered one or two winding engines, in addition to the pumping engines. Trevithick had arranged that nopiece should exceed 560 lbs. in weight. Then came Uville's order, "if possible to be reduced so as to be carried on the backs of mules." Since that time the path on the mountains has been improved, yet the present limit of weight is 300 lbs. The absence of the promised bank post bill was another difficulty.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,June 23rd, 1813."Mr. Francis Uville,"atMessrs. Campbell and Co.'s, Park Buildings, London."Sir,—Your favour of the 19th instant came safe to hand."I was in hopes that I should have found a remittance enclosed. All the tradesmen that I have employed on your work were to have been paid every Saturday, and I made my arrangement with you accordingly. Unless this mode of proceeding is followed up, you cannot get your work done in any reasonable time, especially as you are an entire stranger. For my own part I have placed the greatest confidence in your honour, with which I am fully satisfied."But I have to get this work from a great number of different tradesmen, and must make regular payments agreeable with my engagements with them. As the articles are about to be executed by different tradesmen, regular weekly payments ought to be established, of which I informed you before the work began."I am ready for my journey to Wales and Shropshire, but cannot proceed with further engagements until I hear again from you. I have placed the fullest confidence in your word, a proof of which you have in the great exertion I have made to get the work done; but unless you in return place some confidence in me, or any other engineer that you may employ, a work of this magnitude cannot be carried on with promptitude."As the whole of the work in my part has been put into immediate operation, it would be a very serious loss both of money and time to discharge the hands. I hope you will fully consider this business, and must beg you will have the goodnessto write to me by return of post. On receiving the needful from you I shall leave Cornwall for Wales and Shropshire."R. T."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,June 23rd, 1813.
"Mr. Francis Uville,"atMessrs. Campbell and Co.'s, Park Buildings, London.
"Sir,—Your favour of the 19th instant came safe to hand.
"I was in hopes that I should have found a remittance enclosed. All the tradesmen that I have employed on your work were to have been paid every Saturday, and I made my arrangement with you accordingly. Unless this mode of proceeding is followed up, you cannot get your work done in any reasonable time, especially as you are an entire stranger. For my own part I have placed the greatest confidence in your honour, with which I am fully satisfied.
"But I have to get this work from a great number of different tradesmen, and must make regular payments agreeable with my engagements with them. As the articles are about to be executed by different tradesmen, regular weekly payments ought to be established, of which I informed you before the work began.
"I am ready for my journey to Wales and Shropshire, but cannot proceed with further engagements until I hear again from you. I have placed the fullest confidence in your word, a proof of which you have in the great exertion I have made to get the work done; but unless you in return place some confidence in me, or any other engineer that you may employ, a work of this magnitude cannot be carried on with promptitude.
"As the whole of the work in my part has been put into immediate operation, it would be a very serious loss both of money and time to discharge the hands. I hope you will fully consider this business, and must beg you will have the goodnessto write to me by return of post. On receiving the needful from you I shall leave Cornwall for Wales and Shropshire.
"R. T."
Trevithick for once in his life was wise, and would not start on his journey to Bridgenorth until the money had reached him. This prudent resolve was soon forgotten in the love of making the steam-engine useful; and as such creations in his hands grew into shape and size before other men would have got through preliminary discussions, pecuniary difficulties sprang up, as mushrooms do in a night.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,September 4th, 1813."Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co.,"Gentlemen,—Enclosed you have three of Mr. Uville's drafts, value one hundred and fifty pounds."I should have sent it in one draft, but had not a suitable stamp. The castings, pipes, ale, &c., arrived safely. I hope that all the boilers and wrought-iron work will be finished by the end of this month, and shipped off for London. Immediately after Mr. Uville and I shall leave Cornwall for Bridgenorth on our journey to town. We are both very anxious to see the 'Sanspareil' engine at work, and hope you will have it ready by that time. I have received orders from different persons since I have been here, for steam-engines for the West Indies, and must, if possible, have three ready early in November, as the ships sail then that will take them."I wish you would say in your next if this can be done in time, because these persons are very extensive agents for the planters, and are extremely anxious to generally adopt them in the West Indies."We find from your letter that you are getting on pretty fairly with Uville's work."I remain,"Your very humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick.
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,September 4th, 1813.
"Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co.,
"Gentlemen,—Enclosed you have three of Mr. Uville's drafts, value one hundred and fifty pounds.
"I should have sent it in one draft, but had not a suitable stamp. The castings, pipes, ale, &c., arrived safely. I hope that all the boilers and wrought-iron work will be finished by the end of this month, and shipped off for London. Immediately after Mr. Uville and I shall leave Cornwall for Bridgenorth on our journey to town. We are both very anxious to see the 'Sanspareil' engine at work, and hope you will have it ready by that time. I have received orders from different persons since I have been here, for steam-engines for the West Indies, and must, if possible, have three ready early in November, as the ships sail then that will take them.
"I wish you would say in your next if this can be done in time, because these persons are very extensive agents for the planters, and are extremely anxious to generally adopt them in the West Indies.
"We find from your letter that you are getting on pretty fairly with Uville's work.
"I remain,"Your very humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,September 7th, 1813."Gentlemen,"After writing to you on Sunday last, Mr. Uville received letters from Cadiz, from the Spanish Government, informing him that there was a line-of-battle ship there that should take the engines to Lima. Now as this ship is detained for this purpose, all possible dispatch must be made to get the whole of the materials shipped as early as possible for Cadiz. I am pushing the smiths as hard as possible, and you must do the same at your works, that the greatest dispatch may be made. I am ordered by Mr. Uville to request you to get one water-engine, pumps, &c., complete, one winding engine, winding apparatus, &c., complete, and one crushing apparatus, complete, in addition to the former order. I wish you would also get on as fast as possible with the new engine, but do not let this engine prevent the getting forward the work for Lima."I wish to have made apparatus to work expansively, and also a temporary water-pump, to load the engine, so as to prove its duty by the consumption of coal."If the jobs are not completed by our arrival, you need not expect any rest until its completion. Your answer will oblige,"R. T.""Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,September 7th, 1813.
"Gentlemen,
"After writing to you on Sunday last, Mr. Uville received letters from Cadiz, from the Spanish Government, informing him that there was a line-of-battle ship there that should take the engines to Lima. Now as this ship is detained for this purpose, all possible dispatch must be made to get the whole of the materials shipped as early as possible for Cadiz. I am pushing the smiths as hard as possible, and you must do the same at your works, that the greatest dispatch may be made. I am ordered by Mr. Uville to request you to get one water-engine, pumps, &c., complete, one winding engine, winding apparatus, &c., complete, and one crushing apparatus, complete, in addition to the former order. I wish you would also get on as fast as possible with the new engine, but do not let this engine prevent the getting forward the work for Lima.
"I wish to have made apparatus to work expansively, and also a temporary water-pump, to load the engine, so as to prove its duty by the consumption of coal.
"If the jobs are not completed by our arrival, you need not expect any rest until its completion. Your answer will oblige,
"R. T."
"Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
The money difficulty was for a time surmounted, with a prospect of the completion and shipment of the work for London within four months of the giving of the order; and the Spanish Government proposed that a line-of-battle ship should take the engines to Lima from Cadiz. An order was given for another pumping engine and another winding engine, to be provided with gear for working expansively, and a temporary water-pump, that in case of need the amount of work the engines could do with a given amount of coal might be tested. A crushing machine, now called "quartz-crusher," also formed part of this additional order.
The new engine, which he hoped they would get on with, was probably the steam locomotive plough then being constructed at Bridgenorth.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,September 22nd, 1813."Gentlemen,"I have your favour of the 14th instant, and hope to find you as forward on your job on our arrival at Bridgenorth as you state. I expect all the boiler and smith work will be shipped for London early in October; we shall then leave Cornwall for your works, at which time you will be very much annoyed with our company, unless we find your assertions grounded on facts. Enclosed I send you Mr. Uville's draft for 150l.Your receipt for the draft enclosed in my letter of the 16th instant has not yet arrived."I hope you will also have all the apparatus ready to try the new engine; Mr. Uville is very anxious to take the first of these new engines with him. When you send a receipt for the enclosed, please to say what state of forwardness the whole of our work is in, and do not neglect a moment to get the whole executed with all possible dispatch."Nothing short of a want of cast iron will confine our friend in England one day after the end of this month."I am, Gentlemen,"Your very humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick."Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,September 22nd, 1813.
"Gentlemen,
"I have your favour of the 14th instant, and hope to find you as forward on your job on our arrival at Bridgenorth as you state. I expect all the boiler and smith work will be shipped for London early in October; we shall then leave Cornwall for your works, at which time you will be very much annoyed with our company, unless we find your assertions grounded on facts. Enclosed I send you Mr. Uville's draft for 150l.Your receipt for the draft enclosed in my letter of the 16th instant has not yet arrived.
"I hope you will also have all the apparatus ready to try the new engine; Mr. Uville is very anxious to take the first of these new engines with him. When you send a receipt for the enclosed, please to say what state of forwardness the whole of our work is in, and do not neglect a moment to get the whole executed with all possible dispatch.
"Nothing short of a want of cast iron will confine our friend in England one day after the end of this month.
"I am, Gentlemen,"Your very humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick.
"Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
It seems probable that in 1813 a railway locomotive, with apparatus for rock boring, and steam-crane, was made for South America as the forerunner of the 'Sanspareil' of 1829.
[Rough draft.]"Camborne,October 1st, 1813."Gentlemen,untitled"I received your favour of the 27th last evening, and now enclose you another draft of Mr. Uville's for 150l.We shall wait impatiently for your next letter to know when you willfinish. Mind, this is the 1st of October, and agreeable to promise the time is up. Mr. Uville wishes you to cast sixty carriage-wheels for him, 11 inches in diameter from out to out, and to weigh about 20 lbs.; cast them of strong iron, and of a strong pattern, to take a 1½-inch axle by 2½ inches deep in the hole; also cast four plunger-pistons 11 inches diameter to suit the 11-inch working barrels, provided it should be used for the purpose of a plunger. They must be in every respect the same as the 14-inch plunger-pistons, only 3 inches less in diameter."Soon after the receipt of your next letter you may expect to see us, as a vessel has been engaged to take all the boilers and smith work on board to-morrow week for London."I remain, Sir,"Your humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick."Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
[Rough draft.]
"Camborne,October 1st, 1813.
"Gentlemen,
untitled
"I received your favour of the 27th last evening, and now enclose you another draft of Mr. Uville's for 150l.We shall wait impatiently for your next letter to know when you willfinish. Mind, this is the 1st of October, and agreeable to promise the time is up. Mr. Uville wishes you to cast sixty carriage-wheels for him, 11 inches in diameter from out to out, and to weigh about 20 lbs.; cast them of strong iron, and of a strong pattern, to take a 1½-inch axle by 2½ inches deep in the hole; also cast four plunger-pistons 11 inches diameter to suit the 11-inch working barrels, provided it should be used for the purpose of a plunger. They must be in every respect the same as the 14-inch plunger-pistons, only 3 inches less in diameter.
"Soon after the receipt of your next letter you may expect to see us, as a vessel has been engaged to take all the boilers and smith work on board to-morrow week for London.
"I remain, Sir,"Your humble servant,"Richard. Trevithick.
"Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
Probably those cast-iron wheels were ordered with a view to steam locomotion in the Cordilleras. An engine is described in the invoice as having chimney, axles, carriage-wheels, &c.
[Rough draft]."Camborne,October 11th, 1813."Gentlemen,Winding Engine for South AmericaWinding Engine for South America."On making the drawings of the engine with the winding and crushing apparatus, when at work I find that if there is no crank, but the sweep rod is connected to a pin in the arm of the fly-wheel; in that case the fly-wheel will cut off the engineer from getting at the cock; but if the sweep is connected to a crank, then there will be sufficient room. The copy of materials taken from your books and given to Mr. Uville does not say in which way it was intended. I send you a sketch how it will stand worked by a pin in the fly-wheel, and also if worked by a crank over the cylinder, with the fly-wheel outside the wood partition of the house. If you have cast all the partsfor the winding engine, you should try to alter it, having the fly-wheel outside the wall of the house, and a crank for the inside end of the shaft. The fly-wheel shaft will be nearly the same length both ways, only it must be long enough for the fly-wheel to pass between the wood partition and the 4-feet cog-wheel. The centre of the winding cylinder will be 17 inches from the outside of the wood end of the house, against which the fly-wheel ought to run. I have received your favour of the 5th instant, and have enclosed, agreeably to your request, a draft of Mr. Uville's for 800l., which will be the last from Cornwall. All I have to say is, you have taken longer time for the completion of your work than you first proposed, which has made Mr. Uville apprehensive that it will be the means of his losing the Spanish ship promised him to take the engines. He desires me to inform you that he has complied with this advance on purpose to enable you to push your work with the utmost exertion."Please to inform us the precise time we must quit Cornwall for Bridgenorth; we now wait entirely on you without any other thing to engage us. I fear Mr. Rastrick being so much from home will impede our job. If we miss this ship it will certainly make much against us all, losing three or four months in getting a South Sea whaler, and having the engine in a vessel not able to defend herself against an enemy, and having to pay 15 or 20 per cent. insurance, and prevent our getting other orders for another set of engines, and if taken by the enemy perhaps altogether damn the undertaking. Therefore I would have you to well consider the great inconveniences attending delay."I think I need not say much more to you on this head, as you ought to feel more for your own interest than I can scribble to you on paper."Yours, &c.,"R. Trevithick."Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
[Rough draft].
"Camborne,October 11th, 1813.
"Gentlemen,
Winding Engine for South AmericaWinding Engine for South America.
Winding Engine for South America.
"On making the drawings of the engine with the winding and crushing apparatus, when at work I find that if there is no crank, but the sweep rod is connected to a pin in the arm of the fly-wheel; in that case the fly-wheel will cut off the engineer from getting at the cock; but if the sweep is connected to a crank, then there will be sufficient room. The copy of materials taken from your books and given to Mr. Uville does not say in which way it was intended. I send you a sketch how it will stand worked by a pin in the fly-wheel, and also if worked by a crank over the cylinder, with the fly-wheel outside the wood partition of the house. If you have cast all the partsfor the winding engine, you should try to alter it, having the fly-wheel outside the wall of the house, and a crank for the inside end of the shaft. The fly-wheel shaft will be nearly the same length both ways, only it must be long enough for the fly-wheel to pass between the wood partition and the 4-feet cog-wheel. The centre of the winding cylinder will be 17 inches from the outside of the wood end of the house, against which the fly-wheel ought to run. I have received your favour of the 5th instant, and have enclosed, agreeably to your request, a draft of Mr. Uville's for 800l., which will be the last from Cornwall. All I have to say is, you have taken longer time for the completion of your work than you first proposed, which has made Mr. Uville apprehensive that it will be the means of his losing the Spanish ship promised him to take the engines. He desires me to inform you that he has complied with this advance on purpose to enable you to push your work with the utmost exertion.
"Please to inform us the precise time we must quit Cornwall for Bridgenorth; we now wait entirely on you without any other thing to engage us. I fear Mr. Rastrick being so much from home will impede our job. If we miss this ship it will certainly make much against us all, losing three or four months in getting a South Sea whaler, and having the engine in a vessel not able to defend herself against an enemy, and having to pay 15 or 20 per cent. insurance, and prevent our getting other orders for another set of engines, and if taken by the enemy perhaps altogether damn the undertaking. Therefore I would have you to well consider the great inconveniences attending delay.
"I think I need not say much more to you on this head, as you ought to feel more for your own interest than I can scribble to you on paper.
"Yours, &c.,"R. Trevithick.
"Messrs. Hazeldine, Rastrick, and Co."
This rough hand-sketch and letter fully describing his requirements, is an illustration of the facility with which Trevithick designed his engines and made known his wishes to others.