John Ericsson was born in Sweden, July 31, 1803. He early showed great inventive skill and was employed as an engineer in the Swedish service. He resigned in 1826 and went to England to introduce an engine he had invented. In 1829 he won a prize for the best locomotive engine, and invented a hot-air engine. He came to New York in 1839 and built the United States steamer Princeton. He was busily engaged in perfecting his hot-air engine and applying it to the propulsion of vessels, and upon the outbreak of the war he put himself at the service of the United States government. After the wr he constantly displayed his inventive genius in various constructions. He died March 8, 1889.-Scudder