on. Outside the head there is a terrace
for his use.
Our ships are very large, that each passenger may have the utmost
accommodation, for we do not like to imprison our people in a narrow
space; and an ordinary vessel holds several hundred passengers, besides
merchandise.
To propel our vessels we use electric power, and they move as fast as
your quickest railway trains; but nevertheless can be stopped almost
instantaneously. The wheels outside the body of the swan, set in motion
by internal electric machinery, revolve with extraordinary rapidity. To
set the machinery in motion it is necessary to wind up powerful chains,
and a strong horse is used for the purpose. One horse is sufficient for
the longest voyage, but four are kept on board in case of accidents. The
machinery could be so constructed that the horse would not be necessary;
but for this arrangement much more space would be required. If even all
the horses were disabled--a thing which hitherto has never occurred--the
machinery could be kept in motion by manual power and leverage.
Though the propelling power is great, it can be reversed, moderated, or
entirely suspended with the greatest ease. As soon as the ship is
stopped, the two large "web-feet" attached to the keel fall down and
assist in checking her headway.
To steer our vessels we use a winch or rudder, which runs from stem to
stern underneath the swan's belly, and is connected with a wheel below
the water. This rudder, which is made of metal and covered with
hippopotamus hide, is sharp and slightly rounded. The mode in which it
is fixed gives the steersman great control over the vessel, the more so
as it moves the swan's head as well as the tail by direct action.
TIMBER FOR SHIPS.
Before timber is employed for ships, or indeed for constructions of any
kind, it is thoroughly seasoned by being exposed to the sun at
particular hours of the day. Timbers that have passed through this
process never shrink or warp.
In accordance with my directions, wood cannot be used in shipbuilding
until so prepared that no insects will touch it.
In certain parts of the bottom of the great ravine is a liquid, the
admixture of refuse of all kinds. After some years this liquid becomes
of a golden colour for the depth of about two inches only; beneath, it
is of a muddy brown. It was accidentally discovered that the golden
liquor so hardened wood that no insect could make any impression upon
it, and no moistu
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