Engineers and Mechanics Encyclopedia 1839: Railways: John Squire and Francis Macerone
A tubular boiler for locomotive purposes, of considerable efficiency in the production of steam, was patented jointly by John Squire and Colonel Maceroni, on the 18th July, 1833.
It consists of nine rows of upright cylindrical tubes, each row containing nine tubes, so that there are eighty-one in all. In the middle of these the fire-place is situated; and to obtain the requisite space for it and the fuel under combustion, a portion of the interior ranges of tubes are proportionally shortened, as well as three of the front tubes, to form a fire-door.
All the vertical tubes are connected by means of small horizontal tubes at the top and at the bottom; the upper being a steam communication, and the lower a water communication; but as they are all open to each other, and the application of the heat cannot be precisely uniform in every part, a circulation of the fluid necessarily ensues. To avoid clinkers, and prevent the destruction of the fire-bars, the latter are formed of hollow tubes, filled with water, and communicating with the vertical tubes.
The steam is conducted from the latter tubes, by means of small pipes entering the otherwise close tops of each, into a central recipient, from which the engine is supplied. The flame and heated matters being diffused round and throughout the whole series of tubes, of course produce a rapid generation of steam.
Having thus obtained the heart and vital fluid for locomotion, Messrs. Squire and Maceroni set about combining the sinews, bones, and joints, which comprise the entire machine; of which the cut will afford a tolerably correct idea.
This carriage, Mr. Gordon says, “is a fine specimen of indomitable perseverance,” and that it is not uncommon to travel from 18 to 20 miles per hour by it. The engines are placed horizontally underneath the carriage body; the boiler is at the back, and a winnowing blast is employed to excite the combustion of the fuel, the supply of which is regulated by an engine man, who has a seat at the back for attending to it.
The passengers are placed in the open carriage body, and their seats are formed upon the tops of the water tanks. There are two working cylinders 7.5 inches diameter, and 15.75 inches length of stroke. The steam-ways are 2.25 and 2.75 inches diameter. We regret that our space will not permit in to extend our notice of the operations of the highly-gifted Colonel Maceroni; but our readers who have not seen his 'Expositions and Illustrations in Steam Locomotion' (published by Effingham Wilson and George Hebert, 1835) may derive there-from much useful information, as well as amusement.