Ericsson, John

( er'ik - son,) a distinguished engineer, B. in Sweden, 1800. After serving for some years as an officer of engineers in the Swedish army, he removed in 1826 to England, and continued to occupy himself with improvements chiefly on steam-machinery and its application. In 1839 he went to New York, where he has lived since. The invention of the screw-propeller, and of many other useful inventions, have made his name familiar to the world. His caloric engine attracted much attention, as likely to supersede the use of steam, but experiments in 1853 proved succe ful only for minor purposes. His solar engine was another remarkable invention. Perhaps his greatest achievement was the invention of the turret ship, Monitor, which conquered the Confederate Merrimac in Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862, and completely revolutionized modern naval warfare. His last important invention, was the war ve el Destroyer, completed in 1884, carrying a 16 inch gun, 20 ft. long, throwing under water an explosive projectile of 1,500 lbs., the gun being placed several feet under the water line. Died Mar. 5, 1889.