All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

74 All About Inventions In 1873 he took up the position of teacher in the parochial school at Paterson, New Jersey, the hotbed of conspiracy against Britain and all her works. Failing to secure financial assistance to build his boat, he resolved to complete its construction as well as his limited funds would permit in order to demonstrate his idea in a tangible form, arguing that when convincing testimony as to the practicability of his idea was offered, he would be able to command greater sympathy from financiers and speculators. The vessel was built of wood, laboriously caulked to render it watertight. It followed the form of the cigar in its lines, and was driven by a petroleum engine. It was drawn from the quarters in which it was built to the bank of the Passaic River by a team of sixteen horses to be launched. But this ceremony proved a tantalising fiasco.' It stuck in the mud, and for a time refused to be withdrawn from that slimy couch. At last it was got afloat and was submitted to frequent tests. But however feasible the idea might have been—and Holland always maintained that it was built fully in accord with his principles—the trips were neither conclusive nor illuminating. The boat continually leaked, while the petroleum engine manifested a decided determination to refuse to work, breakdowns being maddening in their frequency. These disappointing trials revived the attitude of ridicule and scepticism, which became more acute than formerly. At last, in sheer despera- tion, Holland dismantled the craft, and sank the hull in four feet of mud at the river’s edge. Still Holland did not despair. He had come into intimate touch with the leaders of the great scheme