January 30, 1858
1 min read
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The Janesville (Wis.) Standard describes a steam ice-boat, projected by J. Ward, of that place. It is to be a small steamer, minus the wheels, and be placed on runners. The method proposed to propel it, in the absence of wheels, is thus described:— " There are to be two belts of india rubber passing fore and aft under the deck, over pulleys, driven by the engine ; and to the belts, which run parallel to, and near each other, there pje connected dogs or poles, inclining upward from the ice to the belts at an angle towards the bow, and while one is passing from front to rear, the other is dragging to the front, and so act alternately, making tracks once in forty feet, or more than the length of the belts." This method of propulsion appears to be an endless belt grappler.—EDS.
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