A Steamer Runs across the Atlantic by its Own Inertia

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

While a steamer is getting underway, the power of the engine is exerted, partly to overcome the inertia of the ship and partly to overcome the resistance of the water and air; but when the full speed is realized, the resistance from the inertia of the ship ceases, and the whole power of the engine is thenceforth exerted to overcome the resistance of the air and water—the vessel running by her own inertia. This principle is thus stated by W. James Grave-sande, in his great work entitled “The Mathematical Elements of Natural Philosophy,.”a translation of which, from the original Latin, was published in England in 1747:—.”A Ship drawn by a Rope Suffers Resistance from the Water: as long as this is less than that Pressure by which the Rope is drawn, the Celerity of the Ship is increased, and the Reaction, which i equal to the Action, as the Rope is equally stretched both Ways, is to be attributed in part to the Inertia of the Ship. When, the Celerity being increased, the Resistance of the Water has increased so much as alone to destroy the Action, whereby the Ship is drawn, it proceeds by its innate Force, with an equable Motion; two Pressures acting upon it, which mutually destroy one another ; as I observed before of the Carriage..” ___

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American