Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-23
LIGHTING TOWNS BY ELECTRICITY

A novel exhibition of electric light was
made at Strawberry Hill, Nantasker beach,
last evening. What especially attracted
the three hundred spectators to the balco-
MES of the Sea Foam House was the prom
Use OF the exceedingly novel sight OF a game
of base bali IN the evening, long after the
suns rays should be dispelled by natural
darkness The real significance of the &C.
casion, however, was the fiTst public expert
ment in illustration OF q new system of
Illuminating towns by electricity. 1t con-
templates an innovation of startling magni-
tude. The plan is to Illuminate the streets
OF city-in fact, the whole atmosphere
around and above the buildings that the
use Of any light whatever in the house Will
be rendered unnecessary This end is to
be attained simply by placing groups
OF electric lamps On the summit OF tow
ers some 200 feet high, and placed
at intervals, say four to the square mile,
through city. The desired effect is TO be
produced by using lamps Of an illuminating
power equal 10 q, Coo sperm candles, mass
ing twelve lamps IN each group Last
night, however, the magnitude OF the ex-
pertinent was on much smaller scale, and
calculated to furnish a basis on which one
may prudently calculate probabilities
rather than to reveal the efficiency OF the
system as demonstrated fact. The appa-
ratus in use consisted of thirty SIX carbon
lamps In communication with a dynamo
electric generator that is operated by an
engine OF thirty horse power. To support
the lamps were erected three wooden tow
ers 100 feet high and 500 feet apart, so as
TO overlook triangular spot Just beneath
the northern piaz2as OF the Sea
Foam Hotel. The lamps were
disposed twelve in a group, and pos
sessed total Illuminating power Of
$4,000 candles, or SO, 600 for each tower.
An idea of the effect produced by the H.
Elimination may be best conveyed by stating
the fact that flood OF mellow light
thrown upon the field enabled the ball
players, between and haif-past o'clock,
to complete game of nine innings. The
mines were picked from the employees OF
Jordan, Marsh & Co. and r. III. White Il
Co., and tied the game with q score OF is
to l6. 1t cannot be said that the practice
OF such sports is likely at present to be
carried on extensively oy night rather
than by day, for the players had to bat
and throw with some caution, and the
number of errors due to an imperfect light
was innumerable. Fly balls des ending
nearly perpendicular could be caught
easily, but when batted long dis
tance it was much easier and safer
to get the ball by chasing it after
it struck the ground. The fact. how
ever, that a game could be played at all
shows considerable advance in the inten-
sity of the hight over that which previous
experiments have disclosed. To the spec
tators the game proved Of little interest,
since in general only the players move
ments could be discerned, while the course
OF the ball eluded their sight. During the
game, by the courtesy of the managers, the
Representatives, OF the press were treated
to ride along the shore to Allerton Point,
distant a mile in a straight line from the
towers. Here the light shone upon the
face of watch with sufficient brightness
to disclose easily the position Of the hands.
Upon the hotel plaza one could read in the
full radiance of the light newspaper at
little less than the ordinary distance for
holding book from the eyes, but turning
so as to throw shadow upon the page.
the letters Immediately vanished. Ill Boston
Advertiser, Sept. Sd.