The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-12
The Great Canal Motive Power
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From the Alta California.


Some time ago the State of New York offer
cd a reward Of one hundred thousand dol
lars to he paid to any one who should invent
4 machine by which boats and barges could
be propelled through canals without injury
to the banks. Steamboats, passing through
these artificial rivers dashed the water into
miniature swcllS, which, by continually
heating against the banks, washed them
away and caused heavy expense to keep
them in proper condition TO bear mp the
pressure Of the water. Hoses travelling on
those banks wore them away also. Fhe
idea was to provide machine Ivy which
boats and lHrgcs could he propelled without
agitatiny the water of the canal, and to OBJ
waite the damage caused 10y the steady and
continuous tramp of horses. 1t is remark
able that this enigma should be solved Ivy Il
resident of the Pacific coast. Ar. Z. Rip
bingham, Of Virginia City, has just completed
an apparatus hy which he hopes to take off
the New York prize Of one hundred thousand
dollars. Like all great inventions, it is simple.
and, rs usual, the wonder is why some one
has not conceived the idea long ago. We
will not pretend to give u description of the
mechanism; brief outline Of its principal
features will cXplain its utility. The ma
clinerv is intended 10 rest III the boat or
barge. and to he worked by steam. 4 shaft
extends TO the bank. which has traction
wheel at the end. The revolving of this
shaft and wheel moves the vessel. BY means
of a universal joint in the shaft it raises or
lowers itself ut will. TO suit the ilregularity
of the ground, still giving motive power to
the vessel.
A cylinder stands at either side of the MT
rlI inrrv. by admitting steam into which the
shaft can be raised independently of the uni
vcrsal Joint 50 rs to accommodate it to the
elevation Of the bank above the water or to
suit the depth Of water the vessel may
draw--thnt i. should it be necessary in adj
dtion to the freedom given by the universal
Joint. BY this means also the wheel can BIZ
pressed on the lank, making il hold tirmcr,
and tightening the draught of the vessel.
When il becomes necessary TO pass through
| locks the shaft can be turned by machinery
so is TO run it lcnGthwi>eal along the boat, thus
avoiding any Inconvenience OH that point.
| But the Shaft can be turned in any direction
| or worked ut either side. 1t can lie set ut al
ANGLE to take boat around the sharpeSt
curve. and in the hands of an expert it could
be used to Steer without the aid of helm.
II is estimated that it will not require one
twentieth of the power necessary to ITopel Il
steamer. while it will not leave ripple on
the water. Provision is also made to pass
vessels. In fact. everything is provided for
and yet the machinery is simple and llncom-
plicatcd. Mr.. Rippinglam feels confident
that he has invented a machine that will suit
the requirements of canals, and that it must
soon come into general Use. ltscems to Encl
nothing that would interfere with its work
ing. Every conceivable obstacle to its appll
cation rs the motive power for propcIns
bargcs and boats on canals has been over
come, and experts who have examined i
pronounce in its favor. Mr.. Rippinghan
has applied for a patent, and he expects Il
al carly day to have his experiment tho
roughly tested. 1t is the work Of year, bu
if it fills the requirements which led to it
invention it will be invaluable in connection
with canal navigation. Those who arc com
pctent to Judge say that it is precisely what
is required.