The Wind-Sphere Ship

By Steven R. Southard and TBD

Heron of Alexandria, in the 1st Century A.D., invented a primitive steam engine he called an aeolipile, or “wind-sphere.” Persuaded by his friend Praxiteles, he used this engine to propel a ship. If his steam-ship could beat a man-rowed galley in a race, could Heron bring about the Industrial Revolution 1700 years early? The action n

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Mar 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781619505797

Steven R. Southard

Growing up in the Midwest, Steven R. Southard always found the distant oceans exotic and tantalizing. He served aboard submarines and now works as a civilian naval engineer. In his stories, he takes readers on journeys of discovery in many seas and various vessels. Steve has written in the historical, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and steampunk genres. Come aboard at http://sites.google.com/site/stevenrsouthard/ and voyage with his intriguing characters in tales of aquatic adventure.

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Contents

Copyright Page

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

About the Author

The Wind-Sphere Ship

Book One of The What Man Hath Wrought Series

by

Steven R. Southard

All rights reserved

Copyright © August, 2010, Steven R. Southard

Cover Art Copyright © 2010, Charlotte Holley

Gypsy Shadow Publishing

Manchaca, TX

www.gypsyshadow.com

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this eBook are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this eBook may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Gypsy Shadow Publishing.

ISBN: 978-1-61950-579-7

Published in the United States of America

First eBook Edition: August 23, 2010

Dedication

To my parents. Dad passed on his fascination with science and engineering. Mom, who didn’t live to see any of my stories published, bequeathed her love of words and literature. I can neither repay such gifts nor thank them enough.

Chapter One

I see you’re playing with your toys again."

Heron started at the voice breaking the silence of the room. Candle flames flickered with the approach of the newcomer. Heron relaxed as he recognized the voice of his old friend.

Greetings, Praxiteles. He returned to tinkering with a mechanism positioned atop a pedestal. Have you come to torment me in particular, or do you generally go about frightening old men at night?

"I torment all old men who haunt the gods’ temples after dark, rejoined Praxiteles, smiling, so yes, just you." They stood alone within a cluttered workroom at the rear of the Temple of Saturn.

Heron looked up into his friend’s eyes. Praxiteles possessed huge, wide-open eyes, eyes