Talk:Washington Irving (sidewheeler)

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A fact from Washington Irving (sidewheeler) appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? column on 23 April 2008.

[edit] Racist language?

Surely Wikipedia cannot allow language such as "negro" to be used when describing African-Americans ! Especially considering this page is linked on the frontpage. 89.213.1.85 (talk) 22:31, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

In the context of the time (early 20th century) about which the article pertains, it is not racist as the word "Negro" is what was used in the New York Times article being cited. Note that the Negro article talks about this change over time. Certainly, very few would use this word today, but at the time, it was the norm and not considered racist. WilliamKF (talk) 22:35, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

That said, since the intro wasn't directly from the olden era, I changed it to black, the modern term.--Bedford 22:36, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

Agreed. I understand that historically it was used thouroughly however as this is a modern encyclopedia and the article is not quoting directly from a source the use of a more PC word is in order. 22:55, 23 April 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.213.1.85 (talk)

Okay, what about "messboy", I would consider that to have negative connotations today? WilliamKF (talk) 23:33, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

How old was he? Pyrope 23:41, 23 April 2008 (UTC)

I've written a number of steamboat articles, and I'm pretty sure that "messboy" was a title people were given regardless of their age. At the time it was not regarded as pejorative, I think now it certainly would be. I changed the job title to "steward" which was also used then, my suspicion is that "steward" was actually more of a higher rank, but it is better than the alternative. Actually, I think "steward" alone without note of race would be the better usage now.Mtsmallwood (talk) 04:13, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

That was what I was getting at. If he was under 16 and worked in the mess then the term is entirely neutral, but not otherwise. Pyrope 13:53, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Engines

The article (and the referenced source) describes the engines as having "cylinders measuring 45 inches × 70 inches × 7 foot stroke". This is one two many dimensions for the cylinders (unless they were oval, which would be quite remarkable). I suspect that it was a double expansion engine with 45 inch diameter high pressure cylinders and 70 inch diameter low pressure cylinders -- both with a seven foot stroke. As huge as this seems today it would be typical for the period. Ferritecore (talk) 01:33, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

Typically double expansion steam engine sizes will be given with the interior diameter of the high pressure cylinder first, and the low pressure cylinder second, this is called the "bore". The high pressure cylinder always has a smaller bore than the low pressure. The low pressure cylinder can be huge, as on this vessel The length of the cylinder is called the "stroke".Mtsmallwood (talk) 04:06, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

I think we are in agreement on all significant points. I think the cited source garbled the info from its source, and the wikipedia article copies the garble. I conjecture that actual engine had 45" HP, and a 70" LP cylinders with a 7 foot stroke. I'm not inclined to edit the article to include my conjecture. Ferritecore (talk) 11:13, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

Does this possible cite help? WilliamKF (talk) 17:21, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

Esentialy identical, substituting the word "by" for the "X" symbol. There is probably an original source of this garble that everybody has been copying. I think I'll replace the first "X" with the word "and": "45" and 70" cylinders with a 7 foot stroke". It is the only interpretation that makes sense. It can't be less correct than what is there now, and is probably more correct.Ferritecore (talk) 00:35, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Here is a 1925 cite by Dayton that is as far back as I have found (close to the date the boat was built). WilliamKF (talk) 15:27, 25 April 2008 (UTC)