Paragon. From that time forward, Boulton and Watt devoted themselves
to the manufacture of engines for steamboats. Up to the year 1814,
marine engines had been all applied singly in the vessel; but in this
year Boulton and Watt first applied two condensing engines, connected
by cranks set at right angles on the shaft, to propel a steamer on the
Clyde. Since then, nearly all steamers are fitted with two engines.
In making this important improvement, the firm were materially aided by
the mechanical genius of William Murdock, and also of Mr. Brown, then
an assistant, but afterwards a member of the firm.

In order to carry on a set of experiments with respect to the most
improved form of marine engine, Boulton and Watt purchased the
Caledonia, a Scotch boat built on the Clyde by James Wood and Co., of
Port Glasgow. The engines and boilers were taken out. The vessel was
fitted with two side lever engines, and many successive experiments
were made with her down to August, 1817, at an expense of about
10,000L. This led to a settled plan of construction, by which marine
engines were greatly improved. James Watt, junior, accompanied the
Caledonia to Holland and up the Rhine. The vessel was eventually sold
to the Danish Government, and used for carrying the mails between Kiel
and Copenhagen. It is, however, unnecessary here to venture upon the
further history of steam navigation.

In the midst of these repeated inventions and experiments, Murdock was
becoming an old man. Yet he never ceased to take an interest in the
works at Soho. At length his faculties experienced a gradual decay,
and he died peacefully at his house at Sycamore Hill, on the 15th of
November,1839, in his eighty-fifth year. He was buried near the
remains of the great Boulton and Watt; and a bust by Chantrey served to
perpetuate the remembrance of his manly and intelligent countenance.

Footnotes for Chapter V.

[1] Fletcher's Political Works, London, 1737, p. 149,

[2] One of the Murdocks built the cathedral at Glasgow, as well as
others in Scotland. The famous school of masonry at Antwerp sent out a
number of excellent architects during the 11th, 12th, and 13th
centuries. One of these, on coming into Scotland, assumed the name of
Murdo. He was a Frenchman, born in Paris, as we learn from the
inscription left on Melrose Abbey, and he died while building that
noble work: it is as follows:--

"John Murdo sumtyme cait was I And born in Peryse