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64 AROUND ture of 270 degrees as against 70 degrees in other furnaces. It is estimated that the Brown's boilers weigh from 70 to 80 tons. As nearly a third more fuel is burned per hour per square foot of grate surface than other boilers burn, it is reasonable to suppose that without this system one-fourth more boiler capacity would be required to furnish the same amount of steam. There is therefore 20 tons less boiler weight and 20 tons more cargo can be carried each trip. The Brown's two boilers, with two furnaces each, are 13^4 feet by 12 feet 2 inches, having 4,130 feet heating surface. They furnish steam at 160 pounds pressure to the engines (22, 35 and 56 by 44 inches) which drives the boat (359 feet over all, 342 feet between perpendiculars, 42 feet beam, and 25 feet deep) 14^ miles light and 13^ miles loaded, with 3,046 gross tons. It should be borne in mind that the Brown has a wooden sheathing 011 her bottom. Most owners have an idea that this system is all right for fast Atlantic liners and war ships, but not for ordinary lake freighters, and then they say it costs. Anything that pays for itself in one season can hardly be said to cost anything. At least it is a a gilt-edged investment. As to its being suitable for lake steamers please refer to the table at the head of this article. If you doubt its accuracy convince yourself by reading some letters from well-known owners and engineers. Here is a letter from the engineer of the steamer Chicora, of the Graham & Morton Transportation Company : Chicago, January 18, 1894. " r for one wish to say a good word for the Howden hot draft system. I have tried the steamer Chicora with natural draft and found that 1 was not able to keep over a hundred pounds of steam, with at least from 40 to 50 per cent more cost, whereas in every case, with the same coal when the LAKES." Howden draft was on, we had no trouble in getting more steam than we could use." Very respectfully yours, Robert McClure, Engineer Steamer Chicora. The following letter, from the chief engineer of the Harvey H. Brown, shows that it is simple in operation and does not burden the engine department. Buffalo, N. Y., Oct, 29, 1894. Mr. G. N. McMillan, Sec'y Detroit Dry Dock Co,, Detroit, Mich. Dear Sir:— Replying to your enquiry about the Howden Hot Draft on Str. " Harvey H. Brown," I am pleased to say it is the most satisfactory appliance T have ever run across in my 27 years' experience as a marine engineer, and, to my knowledge, is the most practical system put on the market. The saving in fuel is fully 20% over natural draft, or any other system of forced draft that I have had any experience with. The expert's report, which you sent me, tallies with the every-day experience I am having with the " Harvej' II. Brown," and tells the story better than I can. Respectfully yours, (Signed) John H. Hand, Chief Engineer Str. "II. H. Brown." Since the time of fitting of the Virginia the following steamers have been fitted with the Howden system: Pioneer, Chicora, City of Alpena, City of Mackinac, W. P. Ketcham, Harvey H. Brown, Davidson's Nos. 61 and 64, and vessels building by the Detroit Dry Dock Company having yard Nos. 119 and 120. The Howden system was first introduced on the lakes in the twin screw steel passenger ship "Virginia" with results as given in the following letter from Mr. A. W. Goodrich, President of the Goodrich Transportation Co.: