The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-12

''Sphero L0cOlnOiiOn.''
The ssFast Freight Line, of the Future.

Ine "F3st freight l.1ne'' OIL the FUTURE
u From the Rochester Union.
The extensive improvements constantly max.
ing In the manner aud means of transportation
would seem to indicate that the coming man will
regard our present facilities very much in the
light that we now look upon the numbering stage
coach and canal packet of our grandfathers. The
scope of science is infinite and until the mechan-
ical millennium Is attained, when electricity
shall be the universal motive:power. nothing will
surprise US. Hand in hand with the pneumatic
railway comes this invention of sphero.locomo-
ton for the transportation Of freight A brief
analysis OF its construction and asses may prove
interesting. The invention consists in employ
ing hollow spheres or globes, with the load to be
transported inside, operating in pneumatic tubes.
The lines of tubes can be constructed cheaply
and rapidly through all parts of the country. 1t
is proposed to make them of wood, and support
them on poles raised some fifteen feet in the air.
BY system of way stations and relays of power
at proper distances, the lines of tubes can be
made to connect the towns and cities of the en-
tire country, effecting rapidly and cheaply trans
portation to and from all parts Of it.
This method of locomotion asserts many claims
to superiority. The road bed is not affected by
any upheaval OF the earth beneath it it is entire
ly free from dust, dirt, or other distractions; is
protected from wind, rain or snow; and the glo-
atmospheric pressure to retard its progress. The
sphere is selected as the most feasible for the
pneumatic baggage car. 1t is immensely supe-
rior for velocity, and is the most gentle of vehi.
Giles, being freest from jolt, Jar or shake; i'm.
portant consideration in the transportation of
delicate articles fruits, vegetables and wines. 1t
is proposed to build those spheres of cast steel,
very thin; and of smooth and exact exterior, so
as to roll evenly and regularly. They will be
ad .bnlo sD 30,
screw in so as to form part of the surface,) by
which they could be loaded and discharged easily
and readily. The spheres, on arriving at their
places Of destination, will be stopped by success
sion of brakes or springs, padded to avoid abra.
sion; and, by reversing the current of air cre-
ating an air.cushion, against which the spheres
are gently brought to stand
The greatest strength required in any part of
the apparatus will be in the beams supporting
the tubes. A hundredth part of the exhaustion
of the air will be sufficient to propel the spheres
with the required velocity. The pressure upon
the tube, therefore, will be very slight
The velocity at which the spheres will move is
estimated at from $50 to 200 miles an hour
which estimate will be found no exaggeration
Perfect safety of the contents is guaranteed A
machine to empty 100000 cubic feet of air a
minute--more than sufiicient-can be obtained
The construction of pneumatic tubes above
eight feet in diaIneter,) with the equipment of
spheres, will cost, it is estimated, $4,000 mile
the right of way not included.
1t is estimated that this invention will do for
the interchange of products what the telegraph
has done for the transmission of thought. Time
and space, compared with our present system of
conveyance, will be annihilated by this new pro.
cess, and a rapid, economical, and universal
medium of commercial exchange be established.
Its benefits, il real, are incalculable. On it's
swift and gentle wings would be borne the fresh.
est fruits, luscious as when gathered. Letters
from distant cities might report TO US their story
before the ink was fairly dried, and morning
journals in large cities might be laid before eager
readers in the country with their matin news
yet warm with tho newness of life. Sphere.
locomotion proposes to carry everything that can
be packed in its vehicles; coal, meats, minerals
fruits. wines, newspapers, mails grain, in short,
everything that can be carried except animated
beings. How long before it shall attain such
perfection, none can tell.
The AMAzON.-Let us, following in brief alb.
stract the account of Mr.. Orton touch upon some
prominent characteristics of this great ocean
river. 1t rises in the little Peruvian Lake of
Lauricocha, just below the limits of perpetual
snow. For 800 miles it runs swiftly through a
deep valley. Then turning sharply eastward, it
runs 2oOO miles across the great equatorial plain
Two thousand miles above It's mouth its width is
mile and'a half, increasing to more than ten
miles at the head of the delta, where it divides.
and. after running 400 miles, presents front of
loo miles on the ocean For great distance it
is bordered by side-channels or "baysus," as
they are called upon the Mississippi, named by
the Indians t3drupes, or "canoe-paths." From
Saptarem. the principal town above Para, one
may paddle over a thousand miles parallel
to the river without once entering the stream.
For twenty-five degrees Of latitude every river
that flows down the eastern slope of the Andes
is an affuent of the Amazon. 1t is as though all
the rivers from Mexico to Oregon united their
waters in the Mississippi. A half score of these
tributaries are larger-the Danube excepted
than any European river out of Russia. The VOL
ume of its waters is greater even than the breadth
of the river would indicate. At Fau,a 22OO
miles from its mouth. the depth is 40 feet, in
creasing rapidly as it approaches the ocean, The
largest ocean steamer could doubtless steam two
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