A DARING VOYAGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8411, 10 January 1899, Page 4

A DARING VOYAGE.

FROM GLASGOW TO LONDON IN 1815. The first steamer that accomplished the voyage from Glasgow to London was caflcd the Argyle, and this event, worthy of being held in remembrance, took place in the summer of 1815, just three ycais after Bell had launched on the Clyde his tiny craft, the Comet. The Comet was the first steam vessel built in Europe that plied successfully on any river or sea. She was 42ft. long and lift. wide. Her engine was of 4 h.p., with a single veitical cyctincler. She made her first voyage in 1812, and plied regularly between Glasgow and Greenock at about five miles an hour. The Cliiremont, built in ISO 7in the United States by Fulton, arid engined by Boulton and Watt, had anticipated Bell's steamer ; she plied on the Hudson river. But so far back as 1801 :i steamboat called the Charlotte Dundas, with stern wheel, worked by an engine on Watt's double acting principle, was used for towing on canals. The Argyle was built at Port Glasgow in 1813 by Messrs J. Wood and Co. She was To tons register, 79ft in her keel, 16ft beam, and was furnished with engines of 14 h.p. She plied between Glasgow and Greenock, and was such a favorite that passengers would wait for hours on her, in preference to others. Siie was .1 great financial success, realising to her owners during the two seasons she plied on the Clyde no less than £2500, It may be mentioned that whilst the vessel — the Argyle — was the first to perform the voyage, another steamer, named the Margery, owned b}Mr Lawrence, of Bristol, was plying before her only by a few months on the station between London and Gravesend, the fares being 4s and 2s for cabin and steerage respectively. She was, however, not a success, and was transplanted to the River Seine. The Argyle wouldbe considered nowadays a peculiar craft, indeed, shewaslooked upon as an " uncanny " vessel when she came before the public. She had a funnel as high as an ordinary mast — in fact, it did duty as one, and carried a large .square sail. The boiler was on the starboard side, and the cylinder and fly-wheel on the larboard side. Early in the year 1815 (Waterleo) a London company purchased her for £3000, in order to place her on the station between London and Margate. Tho person sent down to Glasgow by the company was eminently qualified to superintend the fitting out and management of her on the voyage to London. His name Was George Dodd, and he was, like his father, an eminent mechanical and civil engineer. He was for some time resident engineer under Ronnie in the construction of the Waterloo bridge, Thames tunnel, and other important public works. Both he and his father were amongst the earliest advocates and promoters of steam navigation on the Thames. Dodd, enthusiastic about the steamers, resigned his situation, and devoted all his energies to the advancement of the new means of water locomotion. The Argyle set out on her hazardous trip in the end of May, ISIS. About Portpatrick she encountered heavy seas, and it was with great difficulty she reached the Irish side of the Channel. When opposite Donaghadee the people flocked from all quarters to see so novel a sight as a vessel with fire and smoke proceeding from what was evidently a mast, and the vessel going agaitist the wind. Some of the spectators Hed to the hills in terror. An account of this memorable voyage is given in detail in Dodd's work on steamboats (1818). It is too long for insertion in full, but we give a few particulars in as brief a manner as possible : — 25th May.— Reached Dublin; took on board passengers for London. 2Sth May.-— Left Liffey at noon Sunday ; rough sea ; shore crowded with thousands of spectators cheering. 2'Jlh May, 0 a.m., at Wexforil.— People on heights above town saw the dense smoke from the funnel ; concluded vessel on fire, and all the pilot boats put out to sea in order to extinguish it. 30th Maj\— Put to sea at 2 o'clock a.m. ; steered for St. David's Head, Wales. One of tho paddle blades got out of order in mid-channel. Engine had to be stopped and blade cut away. Similar accident to other wheel on same day. 30th May, 2 p.m.— Reached Pass of Ramsay, between island of that name and St. David's Head ; remained three hours. Again boats came out, thinking vessel on fire. Steamed through Straits and across St. Bride's Bay. Veiy high sea running, but boat did wonderful. Passed full speed through Jack's Sound, which Is full of whirlpools. Safely reached Milford Haven 31st May. A great many naval and other people inspected her here. Cleaned out boilers. 31st May, evening. — Set out, and on Friday evening she was in the middle of the Bristol Channel, with no land to be seen. Towards evening distinguished the high coast of the west of England. Shaped for St. Ives. Again boats came out to extinguish the ship on fire. Rocks covered with people. Cast anchor in Port of Halo. Monday, Oth June, 4 a.m.— Off Cornwall Head. Tremendous heavy swell. Tuesday, Htli June, 11 a.m.— Arrived off Plymouth. Crowds came clown to see her. Wednesday, 7th June..— Left for Portsmouth, arriving there 9th June, 11 a.m., having accomplished 155 miles in 23 hours. Thousands of spectators. A court-martial was sitting on board a frigate at the time, but the novelty of a steamboat was too attractive, and the " whole court came oft' to us, with the exception of the president, who was obliged by etiquette to retain his court until the seat was regularly adjusted." * 11th June, Sunday morning. — Readied Margate. Remained till 12th ; left at Sin the morning, and at 6 p.m. arrived at Limehouse, where she moored. Thus safely ended this remarkable trip. She accomplished it with 15 tons of coal, being at the rate of one ton for every 100 miles. In London Dodd was regarded as a hero, and there is no doubt lie was a man of courage, genius, and resource. He built and superintended many other vessels, in which were great improvements, such as folding funnels, enabling them to pass under bridges. Vested inteiests, such as the sailing vessels, river watermen, and public coaching establishments, combined against the steamers. For some time few passengers would venture in them, mote especially after one of them took on fire, and another burst her boilers. Dodd had invested all his funds in the steamers, and had to suffer under the loss. Finally he took to drink, mid died a beggar in the streets of London in 1827. Like many another enterprising promoter of inventions, he sowed, but another j reaped.