3-047-122 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Bessemer saloon-steamer, 1872. Illustration of '...the joint design of Mr. E. J. Reed, C B., late Chief Constructor of the Navy, and Mr. H. Bessemer, known as the author of great improvements in the iron and steel manufacture, for a Channel passage steam-ship with a suspended saloon to prevent sea-sickness...Two vessels on this plan are now under construction for the passenger traffic between Dover and Calais - one designed by Mr. Reed, the other by Captain Dicey...[The vessels are] double-ended, and are propelled by four large paddle-wheels...A rudder is fitted at each end, with means for locking, so that the ship will be able to steam in either direction, and will not require to be turned round in harbour. "The great peculiarity, however, of these ships is that each will contain a large saloon, designed by Mr. Bessemer, suspended in the middle of the ship in such a way that it can be moved about a longitudinal axis parallel to the keel. The motion of this saloon, which would be set up when the vessel rolled if left free to move, will be governed by a hydraulic apparatus, and will be completely under the control of one man, whose duty it will be to Keep the floor of the saloon, under all circumstances, in a line with a spirit-level... From "Illustrated London News", 1872.