Charlotte hurried to bring Sheffield a glass.
A good choice, noted Wrexford. Scottish malt was stronger than French brandy.
“How did you know about the fire?” she asked.
Sheffield closed his eyes for an instant and took a long swallow of the amber spirits before replying. “One of our clerks was drinking with friends at a nearby tavern when it started.” Sheffield and his fiancée, Lady Cordelia Mansfield, were partners in a very profitable shipping company—secretly, of course, as the strictures of the ton didn’t permit aristocrats to sully their hands in trade. “He sent word to me right away, knowing of my interest in Maudslay’s work.”
Wrexford frowned. Maudslay’s expertise in engineering didn’t seem to align with the practical demands of moving goods from here to there as swiftly as possible.
“What, precisely, is your interest?” he asked.
Henry Maudslay was famous throughout the scientific world for creating innovative lathes that had greatly improved both the speed and accuracy of mass-producing interchangeable parts for steam engines, looms, and a myriad of other important mechanical devices. It might sound mundane to most people, mused the earl, but in truth it was revolutionizing a great many industries.
“He’s been working on a special project involving an innovative new design for a steam engine,” replied Sheffield.
Wrexford was still puzzled. “What does that have to do with your business?”
Sheffield pressed his fingertips to his temples. “A great deal, actually. He’s working on a radical idea that would revolutionize the transportation of goods and people around the globe—amarinepropulsion system utilizing a steam engine.”
The answer took Wrexford aback. “But that’s hardly new or revolutionary. Lord Stanhope, a talented man of science despite his other eccentricities, was tinkering with steam-powered boats at the end of the last century. And I seem to recall that a Scottish engineer launched a commercial steamboat—I believe it was calledCharlotte Dundas—in 1803. To my knowledge, it’s proved very successful in hauling barges along the canals of Scotland.”
“And the American, Robert Fulton, launched the first successful river steamboat seven years ago in New York City,” offered Charlotte. “Granted, the Americans appear to be far more advanced in their marine steam engine technology than we are, but I also remember hearing of another steamboat innovation in Scotland. Henry Bell launched thePS Comettwo years ago, and it’s been running regular passenger service on the River Clyde—”
“Maudslay’s marine propulsion system isn’t meant for canals and rivers,” said their friend.
Charlotte blinked in surprise. “You mean it’s for . . .”
“For crossing oceans,” confirmed Sheffield.
“That would be revolutionary, indeed.” Wrexford did some quick mental calculations. “The size, the weight, the amount of fuel needed for such a long journey . . .” He pursed his lips. “Surely the practical limitations make such a dream impossible. . .”
Sheffield coughed, which made him wince. “New technological ideas always seem impossible—until someone figures out a way to do them.”
“Fair enough,” conceded the earl.
“As you pointed out, we have boats powered by steam, but the current technology isn’t capable of conquering the rigors of ocean travel,” continued Sheffield. “So there is, in effect, a great race going on to see who will figure out a way to overcome the challenges—and the winner will possess unfathomable power.”
He tapped his fingertips together, his expression turning very solemn. “Think about it. The ramifications are profound—economically, politically, militarily—so it’s no surprise that a number of groups are working on developing a successful model. It’s not just the steam engine that needs redesigning. The current mode of propulsion is paddle wheels, and they simply can’t stand up to the storms and waves of the oceans.”
“What’s the alternative?” asked Wrexford.
Sheffield made a face. “If I knew the answer to that, I would be averyrich man.”
He let out a long breath. “The competition is fierce. First and foremost are the Americans, who have the most experience and expertise in marine engines and propulsion systems. Cordelia and I have heard from our business agent in New York that there are several steamboat companies competing with each other to come up with a viable oceangoing ship.”
“I would imagine that our government, which believes that our powerful navy and our trade with the East are the lifeblood of our nation, is also engaged in the race,” said Wrexford.
“That would make sense,” mused Charlotte. “Though I vaguely recall hearing a talk given by some of the Royal Navy’s top engineers . . .” She frowned in thought. “And the fact that while they expect great innovations to be made in nautical technology, they feel that those discoveries still lie over the horizon.”
“The Royal Navy is not the only entity in Britain working on the challenge,” replied Sheffield. “Eight months ago, a consortium led by the Earl of Taviot announced its involvement in marine propulsion. Word is they have a leading luminary in the field as their technical director, a fellow who has been working for some years in America with the leading steamboat designers.”
He paused to take a long sip of his whisky. “In addition, Taviot and his partners are beginning to approach some very prominent names about investing in their company. Money is key, as innovation doesn’t come cheaply.”
“Given his genius for innovation and his experience in engineering, surely Maudslay holds the advantage in this country,” said Wrexford.
“Tonight’s fire is a huge setback. A number of his precision lathes and milling machines were damaged by the extreme heat. Given how long it will take to retool them, he might fall too far behind the others to catch up.” Sheffield frowned. “Maudslay had, in fact, been talking to me about investing in his project. But of late, he has been expressing some reservations about the prospect of success. He is quite sure someone will come up with a theoretical design that works. However, he worries that at this point in time we simply don’t have the capability to fabricate the sophisticated machinery needed to make an actual working model.”
Sheffield ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “That said, Maudslay seemed upset at not finding his latest set of technical drawings with the crates we salvaged. He was quite sure that he had placed them in that section of the laboratory, which wasn’t touched by the flames.”
