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much more than the paddle-wheel boat, while the application of propellers to the side, causes the boat to roll much less than paddle-wheelboats, as is already proven in the performance of the Baltic, in gales of wind and heavy sea. The reason is, that the propeller lifts the boat when half of the wheel is kept above the water-line ; when we stop one engine, the one in motion will lift that side of the boat about one foot. "The proof of an improvement in the application of steam, is in the amount of power produced with the least steam. In the application of steam to the side propellers in the Baltic, we find that 45 pounds of steam produce as much power and speed as the stern wheel propeller does when carrying 75 pounds of steam. Another important advantage is, that we can apply as many propellers upon the sides of light, sharp passage boats as we please; they will work full power, without interfering with each other, and will occupy but very little room. "The speed of the Baltic is as great, when carrying 45 pounds of steam, Implied to her side propellers, as it was with her paddle-wheel engine, when carrying 100 pounds of steam. Her paddle-wheel engines weighed about 200 tons more than the present engines, and had double the power of the present engines of the Baltic. The present engines and propellers occupy no part of the hull of the boat, and but one-half of the space of the paddle- wheels. In river boats, we would place the engines, wheels, and boilers in the space the wheels now occupy. In case, even, two engines and two propellers were used, they would give boats of the Mississippi and its tributaries, the entire room of the deck and hull for freight, and save from one to two hundred tons weight of engines. All large, sharp passage boats should have from four to six propellers to give them a very l^igh rate of speed. Harry Whittaker." I also ask your attention to the following statement of opinions, made by the best vessel and engine builders of Buffalo, respecting ihe feasibility of my improvement, before it was tried on the Baltic and proved : "We have been asked, by Capt. H. Whittaker, of Buffalo, our opinion as to the practicability of a plan for building a steamer with a screw propeller on each side of the vessel, at the place where paddle-wheels are usually placed. "Capt. Whittaker speaks of a boat 215 feet in length, and 30 feet beam, that being the dimensions of a boat now building for Mr. Crocker, (the Garden City,) with two high-pressure engines, 274-42 inches cylinder, with 14 feet wheels (or screws.) " It would be practicable to run such engines at a speed of 90 or 100 revolutions per minute, to drive wheels (or screws) that would lead enough to travel; at 90 revolutions, twenty-five miles per hour, or at 100 revolu- tions, twenty-eight miles per hour. " Judging from our investigation of the amount of slip of the wheels,