Chapter LII: Section 59: Propulsion

(See also Sections 60, and 12.)

=On land, vehicles, &c., may be propelled by:=

=a. Any engine= having contained in itself its source of power; such
as a steam engine, compressed-air engine, electric motor, &c.

=b. Any fixed source of power,= the moving vehicle being connected to
it by: 1, a rope or chain; 2, a tube; 3, an electric wire or other
electric connection.

=c. By gravitation= down an inclined or vertical road. See Section 69.

=d. By wind power,= using sails or windmill. See Section 95.

=e. Animal power.=

=On water, vessels are propelled by:=

=a. Wind.=

=b. Steam= or other heat engine.

=c. Wave motion.=

=d. Natural currents,= tides.

=e. Animal power.=

=In air, balloons have been propelled by:=

=a. Wind.=

=b. Some kind of engine power.=

=c. Hand power.=

But the two latter sources must be at present considered almost
impracticable.

MEANS EMPLOYED FOR PROPULSION.

=On land:=

=a. Steam or other engine and boiler= on the moving vehicle.

=b. A reservoir of compressed air= or gas, driving an engine on the
vehicle.

=c. An electric battery= or accumulator, driving an engine on the
vehicle.

=d. Rope railway:= the rope may be driven by any kind of engine.

=e. Endless rope= transmission. See Section 66.

=f. Inclined or vertical hoists.= See Section 69.

=g. Ice vessels,= or yachts, propelled by wind and sails, windmills,
&c. See Section 95.

=h. Velocipedes= of all kinds, hand power lifts and hoists. See
Section 69.

=On water, vessels are propelled by:=

=a. Sails.=

=b. Steamships,= by screw, paddle-wheel, stern wheel, water jet, and
steam jet.

=c. Wave engine.=

=d. Barges and rafts= usually employ tidal motion only.

=e. Rowing boats,= &c., hand power paddle and screw boats, horse
towage.

=In air, balloons are propelled by:=

=a. Wind,= acting on the inflated balloon, or on an umbrella-shaped or
other sail; also on the under side of inclined planes of large area.

=b. Balloons= of elongated form have been propelled by an engine
placed in the car, driving either a large screw propeller or wings.

c. Various attempts have been made to work flying machines (generally
having some form of wings) by the power of a man’s hands and feet,
with very little success.