Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-08
THE ELEcTRIc LIGHT.
An Illustration of the Tubular Tower
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An Illustration of the Tubular Tower
system of Illumination Promised.
Knowing that the city authorities had
contracted with the Brush Electric Light
and Power Company for the illumination
Of Savannah by means Of the Brush eiec-
trict light there has been much curiosity
among our citizens as to the means
whereby the contract will be executed.
The problem has been tested in other
cities. and the best results obtained have
been procured from the tubular tower sys-
tom The patents for which are controlled
by tbe Elgin Tubular Tower Company, Of
Elgin, Ill, which works exclusively IN
connection with the Brush Electric Com
pany. The tubular tower system was hrst
applied at Aurora, H.. where il worked so
satisfactorily that its use has spread rap
idly throughout the country.
The advantage claimed for the tower
system over that of lamps on poles or
otherwise disposed, is that the elevation
Of the light reduces its unpleasant glare
to a minimum and by Obviating the ne
cessity of screening it by ground glass
el0bessay the percentage Ofradiance that
would otherwise be lost: and further,
that the height of the light increases its
diffusion, enabling its rays to penetrate TO
a distance prOpOrtiOned to It's eleVa-
tion- It's phllosOpn! 10 ~
same as that Of the projection OF
shadows which is familiar to every one.
The tubular tower, too, in pOintO Of cost,
neatness. strength. simplicity OF con-
strHction and adaptability, is claimed tos
be the cheapest and best system yet de-
yised.
The system calls for one or more towers,
according to the area to be Illuminated,
The towers are tapering skeleton frames,
rv-So les m shame
made in cross section of iron pipe in sec.
tions joined by special malleable iron fit
tings, and trussed by diagonal cross rods.
The size Of the pipe used for the standards
and girts is properly propOrtioned oresist
the estimated strain ON the several parts.
The posts are firmly set in beds OF stone
work. and are made 10 stand storms not
generally destructive OF surrounding pro-
Derty. At the top of the tower is rallied
space, provided with supports for the
lamps, which is reached by an elevator, as
il were. made of basket-like continuance
Operated by an endless wire. The custO-
dian of the lights hOists himself and the
compensating weight attached enables
him TO descend. The elevator IS provided
with brake. operated by the foot OF the
marty ascending, by means of which he
can stop at any point in his course.
Mr.. George :. Bowen, Treasurer Of the
Elgin Tubular Tower Company, is now in
the city, and informs us that specimen
tower is now on the way from Chicago TO
New York, whence 1t VIII be
shipped hither by steamer. 1t viii be
raised in Chippewa square on arrival,
and practical illustration of the workings
of the system will be afforded our citizens.
Ii is calculated that ten of these towers,
one hundred and fifty feet high, with five
lights each. will be ample to light the city
of Savannah and its immediate outskirts.
Mr.. Bowen expresses his belief that the
topography of Savannah is admirably
adapted to the thorough application of the
system. The tributes paid to its merits
by the press and citizens of the
cities where it is in use are
strong. and its choice by the
Brush Company is in itself a proof of its
excellence. Among the cities now en-
ploving, or which are about to employ t1e
tubular tower system, are Denver, Topeka,
Indianapolis, Cleveland, Rock Island,
New Orleans. City of Mexico, Shanghai.
Yokohama, and numerous other towns.