New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-25
STEAM Oy CANALS.
YRoM ONE WHO DID NOT COMPETE.
AZ EdiiOr OF TAe fri6Nnt.


SIR. In October, 1871, having in view com
setsng for the prize offered by the State, projected
eaan ser propeling canalbosts by steam, by using
sngle rail to produce direct propulsion and IT great
expense had working drawings and specifications made
Sae following January laid the plan before Engineer
OF the Commission. who stated that no plan h"d
Seen presented involving little loss OF power. and
advised ts completion for trial. also TO present the plan
before the subcommittee OF the Commission.
went on perfecting the machinery, and on receiving
Hetjce from Mr. Greene, the following Autumn us72),
met the Committee at the Astof House in Ncw-fork,
when Mr. Geddes, the Chairman OF the Commission. Il
ruled that could not compete for the reward and
declined give the plan further consideration This
aeeisOn supposed at the time, efec.uay put end
20 all hope OF sharing in the reward.
Notwithstanding all this, being conscious that was
on the and correct way to steadily
tinued perfecting myPatterns and machinery. Allow
here say that TO meet the wants at hand, two
mechanical movements had 10 he invented They have
been recognized such at the Patent oi,e. One OF
these Is a wheel revolving upon central universal
Joint; the other telescope shaft surrounded by a
sleeve vibrating upon runnions. In the practical de-
vice shaft, driven by two small engines each OF u
power with dead points at right angles TO each
other extends from the deck of the caDaboa TO he
shore but being hinged near the engines rs capable OF
being raised or lowered as occasion may require. The
revolution Of the shaft turns eOgged wheel to whose
IL ~ attached BY the universal JOINT Inc cogs OF
the wheel fan into those OF q permanent track laid
low supports along the canal bank The fixed leverage
Of railtraek is thus obtained without the need of
heavy weight like that OF locomotive, 10 procure the
necessary adhesion.
The best engineers OF my acquaintance approved the
plans and in January. 1873 Mr.. Greene, still adherng
10 his former opinion wished the plan put in op
Grafton and 80 certified II may be asked why have
not ere this put 10 practical work answer because
wanted 70 perfect and Simplify every part as lar as
possible before trial and thus took time for all due
reflection and study and had only completed arrange
menp and machinery late last Fall.
Now learn by the decision Of the Attorney General
that could competed for the prize and had this
accession been in the place OF the one rendered by MI
Goddes certainly sho6lG have hurried matters nor
ward and given practical administration before the
close of navigation. Others have done much or
more than my self, hut no man has worked more
faithfully for a 10 accomplish the practical work
ing of steam the canals ana while II may be right
remunerate competitors for taking old and we'll
known devices, and simply applying them 10 canal
boats in the manner has been done
\ numerous instances in the past twenty years
yet hold mat the efforts OF other inventors ought not
10 he ruled when designed TO accomplish results by
aud hitherto untried hope that ii may
be considered fair and just that should not be ex
suded from sharing III the considerations OF the Legs
laturc by the decision OF Mr. Geddes ince reversed by
the Attorney General; but having abOred as long and
according 10 the efforts put forth and the success
achieved.
AZ the Commission would not entertain my plans or
petition, am compelled to memorable for myself As
all things are IN readiness, the opening OF the
canal this Spring providence permitting propose to
give practical demonstration OF my faith by my
works H. II. BAKER.
Plan6eid. n. j.. Feb. %, 1874.