The Seattle Invention That Promised to Banish the 'Tremor' of Steamboats
A local citizen trials a double-inclined plane water wheel on Lake Union, aiming to solve the vibration and loss of power plaguing the steam-powered era.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The double-inclined plane water wheel for side-wheel steamers was tried the past week on Lake Union by a party of our citizens. It is the invention of a citizen of Seattle, and we are informed a caveat was filed in the Patent Office some time since. The wheel was a success, accomplishing more than its projector supposed it would. By this wheel, the concussion and consequent tremor caused by the paddle wheel is wholly obviated, as well as the loss of power in the downward blow, and the upward lift of water. The wheel, when placed on one end of a shaft on a Whitehall boat, and the old paddle wheel on the other end, proved its propelling capacity to be superior. When the new wheel was placed upon both sides, the boat without an increased application of power was propelled at an increased speed, and this, absolutely without concussion and consequent tremor and free from lift and foaming of the water. Practical mechanics and experienced steamboat men pronounce the wheel a decided success, and as destined to universal adoption.
“By this wheel the concussion and consequent tremor caused by the paddle wheel is wholly obviated.”
This 1872 report highlights the same spirit of technical tinkering that has defined Seattle’s history, from steam-powered maritime innovations to today’s aerospace and software breakthroughs. It’s a reminder that the city’s economic prominence has always been tied to engineering solutions that prioritize efficiency—even if the 'universal adoption' predicted here for this specific wheel didn't quite materialize.
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