The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-20
TO HARNESS UP NIAGARA.
The Gigantic Scheme Soon to be Put
in Effect at a Cost of $3,OOO,OOo.

Inc Gigantic Scheln9 soon 10 be Tut
in Effect at a Cost of 100000.
From the Netc York Times
If the plans of the Niagara River Hy-
drauhc Tunnel, Power, and Sewer Com
pany are carried out as arranged at the
present time, the mighty power of the Falls
of Niagara will be utilized for the general
benefit of mankind, and for the financial en-
richment of the stockholders in the enter
prise. The company was Incorporated by
an act of the Legislature in March 1856,
and since that time the efforts of
the projectors have been directed
toward securing the capital necessary
to enable them TO execute their
designs. 1t is now claimed that enough
money has been secured and that the work
of co struction will begin in July. The
prospectus issued by the company yesterday
states that the company was organized for
the purpose of utilizing the power of the
Niagara river by constructing Suhterra-
mean tunnel from the water level below the
falls, about 200 feet under the high bank of
the river, extending through the rock to the
Niagara river at a point about one mile
above the falls, where head of l20 feet is
obtained. The tunnel is then to extend,
parallel with the shore of the river, one aud
one-half miles at an average depth of 100
feet below the surface of the earth and at a
distance of about 400 feet from the naviga-
BILE water of the river, with which it is to
be connected by means of conduitS or lat
eral tunnels.
The scheme is one of gigantic proper
tons, and includes the establishment of in
Vulnerable mills at the point where the
power is obtained, as well as distributing
the power through electric wires to other
centers, where it can be used in lieu of
steam or local water-power. The power is
to be obtained from conduits leading to the
main tunnel, and not from the tunnel it
self or from the falls. The conduits will, il
is contemplated, lead to wells sunk to the
tunnel one hundred feet below the earth's
surface. In these wells will be placed tur-
bine wheels, which are turned by the weight
of the water in the wells. Thus, it is said
the power will be uniform, because the wells
will always be kept full and rs the wells
are supplied from the river there will
be no variation in the quantity of
water available. The river itself being fed
from the five great lakes, will always have
uniform quantity from which to supply
the conduits. 1t is claimed that the drain
from the river by the conduits and tunnel
will not take per cent. of the water in the
stream; that is, the depth of the river would
not be reduced one inch. The prospectus
states that since the incorporation of the
company sufficient land along the river has
been secured, surveyed, and appOrtioned
into mill sites fronting on the river and on
the line of the proposed tunnel with ample
streets and dockage, affording approach by
rail or water to accommodate 23S mills of
500 horse power each, or 119, 900 horse power
in all, which is the estimate of the engineers
of the capacity of the tunnel proposed to be
built.
This power would be greater than all the
other water power of the country COM
bined. The land secured by the company
is two miles and half above the falls, and
beyond the limits of the government park
land surrounding them. The tunnel is to
run under the streets of Niagara village,
and all Of the conduits will be located on
the companys land. The estimated cost of
construction is s., 100000, and enough pa
tronage has already been secured, it is said,
to pay dividend on the investment The
city of Buffalo has agreed to pay 100000
per annuIn for power for electric lights,
and an electric smelling company in Glove
land has made application for
10000 horse power to be carried
through wires. The mills are TO be located
50 far above the falls that vessels Of any
draught can come to the wharves. thus in
surfing cheap water freights from the mills
to tidewater 1t is claimed that the volume
of water over the falls will not be lessened
by the construction of the tunnel; that the
beauty of the landscape will not be I'M
paired in any way, since the mills will give
forth no smoke, and that the drain from
the river will be less than half the amount
taken from the lakes by evaporation.
If the project proves to be success it is
also intended to use the power in lighting
many Of the larger cities in that locality by
electricity.