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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 32, 9 February 1869, Page 2

The Galis;nani says: —An ingenious -application of the principle of the velocipede to water-locomotion may now be seen on the Lake of Enghien, near Paris. The forra of this new species of uaval construction isi that, of the: twinship tried some years back on the Thames, the motive power being placed in the middle, instead of on each'.side as in ordinary paddle-steamers.. A pair of."hollow water-tight pontoons* about 12 feet long, 10 inches wide in the thickest part, and~taperrd to a point at ■each end, are fastened together about 20 . inches apart, by transverse bars near the .extreshities. In'the centre is. placed tlje. •seat, rising" about'2 feet "above the water, and supported by iron rods. • In the front is 'the paddle-wheel, about three feet iu diameter, atjd 8 inches broad, provided with 16 floats, the axle turning on stout iron uprights, and the rotary motion being obtained from Franks worked by the feet. •jFhia little.vessel is steered by rudders afc caehofithe. sterns', and moved by lines. The pon toons being made of thin mahogany planks, jthe- construction is very %ht^ ,^p^ along with astonishing rapidity-.-—-Tbj».«water., velocipede, having beenJfeß^Ut'a^ a-first experiinent, is, no ""'ibvfob,^susceptible of improvement in spme:. ojt its'details, >ut the principle may bo J o.Wea'3y, proinonnaed a complete succesa. j The investor hM* Thierry, aa architect, j