Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-04
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE a, 1851.
CANALS AND RAIL RoADs-No. vi,


ten been urged as an objection. We promised
to give our readers some accounts of improve
ments made in this species of navigate on, which
will show that this objection can be obviated.-
A correspondent has already, m this Gazette.
called the attention OF the public to pamphlet,
lately published in London, entitled " Remarks
on Canal Navigation, Illustrative OF the adVan-
tages Of the use of steam as a moving power on
Canals. &c. by w. Fairbain, Engineer" From
this pamphlet we extract what follows:
+" Erpe1mea,s on The Felicity IF Light Boais
on a CaaaL-The following experiments prove.
most satisfactorily that very high rate OF speed
NAV be obtained and KEEP, up on Canals for the
conveyance of passeng ers and luggage, at very
triflng expense, and without Injury to the BANKS
BY the agitation Of the water.
:. About six weeks ago, at the suggestion OF
one of the committee of management Of the Ar
drossau Canal, a Gig, such as is used in rowing
matches, was hired, ard being launched OH that
Canal, it was found that she could be drawn
along the Canal, at the rate of twelve miles an
hour. On this occasion, eight persons and the
steerstnan were in the gig; when distance OF
two miles was accomplished with one horse III 10
minat es, without any surge or agitation OF the
water. SO as to injure the banks.
"As, from the necessary lishtness Of the above
description of boats, they are very crank or un-
steady in the water, and easily moved from side
10 sid., the following experiment, to try the ell
feet of a double or twin boat, was made on the
Forth and Clyde Cana! on Thursday last
"Two gigs were hired, but unluckily two OF
the same size coald not be procured. The one
eiy was thrty-three feet in length. and four feet
two iaches in breadth, at the broadcast point -
The other was thirty feet in length, and four feet
in breadth, at the broadcast. They we're strongly
L hv rin Is an
secured, 50 as to prevent any yielding. At the
point in front, where the respective keeis cut
the water, the distance was exactly four feet
nine inches, measuring along the surface OF the
water: while the distance about the centre OF
the boats. measuring on the sui face Of the water,
was only Is inches. Between the prOws OF the
two boats. pole was fixed or inserted IN one
If the connecting boards three feet in height, and
10 the top of which towing line was attached,
which. unfortunately. however, was too short
and too thick. The horses also used for the tri-
al, could not, except at gallop, 60 at "a pace
above eight miles an hour. The boats proceed
ed from the old basin on the Forth and Clyde Ca.
nal. and went out three miles and half towards
Kirkiutilloch The first mile including the pas
SAGE of bridge. where the the line was thrown
off. and the time lost in consequence Of the rope
welding over the top of the pole, and being thus
,iisengased from the boat. was about seven MIN
utes: and the surge was not greater than that
raised by the commoa Canal passage boat. Even
the curves where. from the shortness of the
the boats were obliged to come close INFO
..~e. the water never receded under the bot
,,m Of the stone facing The next two miles
were done each IN the course OF six minutes, but
the pace was very Irregular, owing to the ne
ces,iry of Keeping the horse at gallop. In re-
turning the three miles and half homewards, no
regular account was kept Of the first two miles
aud half; but the last mile was done in Il We MI
nutes, including the time lust at the passage ct a
draw bridge, where the line had to be thrown
of; and the passing OF large slooP, where the
speed was obliged to be Stacked. In the last
mi.e, the surge occasioncd BY the passage of the
boat through the Canal, was less than when
MOVING at lower velocity. and could not by pos
sibihty, iuiure the banks in the least degree
where lined with stone; nor would the surge have
injured the banks more, though unllned with
stone, than the ordinary passage boats moving
little upwards Of FIVE miles an hour. MIR. Hunt
err the proprietor of the boats, stated his belief,
that this would be the result OF high rate OF
speed before il Was tried; but whether the de-
crease Of wave arose from the steersman of the
boats having become better acquainted with their
trim in the Canal, or from whatever other cause
il arose, their effect was evident to every per.
son on board. When passing through the water,
there was very little agitation on the outside Of
the two boats; but the water was frequently rails
cd six and seven inches, and more in the centre
parts Of tho little trough or Canal between the
boats. came out with great rapidity behind. and
went Of m small column or wave, sometime:
1--WE or six inches above the keels or rudders, max
inc for the banks on each side. The number o
people on board the boats was nine or Zen.
a.. fho hnat q
tachet, and two miles out and in on the Cana
were done at the rate Of fifteen miles an hour
Oae Of these miles, where bridge had to be pass
ed. and in which loaded vessel was also passed
and where at the bridge the line had to be thrown
off, and then caught and thrown into the boat, wa!
done in four minutes and hall. In fact the
speed seemed only limited by the power of the
horses. The surf or surge was very slight with
the single boats, even when moving at fifteen
miles an hour; but still it bore much greater
proportion TO that occasloned BY the double boat,