The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-15
GOODBY 10 GOyDOLAs.
Electric Launch VIII supplant That Old

Bark in Venice.
Electric launches are to suppiant the
historic gondolas Of Venice, says the
Chicago Tribune. No longer IL the plans
OF an Italian syndicate are carried out,
will the gondolier In his gay costume
send his long black boat sweeping along
the Grand Canal and under the Bridge
Of Signs. In his place an American en-
gineer, In natly suit OF blue with brass
buttons, win simply press the button
and electricity will do the rest.
This translation OF the poetry OF Ven
ice into modern prose is one result OF
the Columbian Exposition. Yesterday
electric launch No. SO, which has been
plying on the lagoons and grand basins
since the Fair opened, was taken down
to the South Pond and hauled up out
Of the water. There 1t was turned over
to an express company, which had con-
tracted to deliver the boat, safe and
sound, on the Grand Canal in Venice
within the next month. 1t has been pur-
chased by company, in which several
members Of the royal Italian commits
sion are interested, and will be sent
ahead TO prepare the wa for big
low when the Fair is over.
There are now in the service OF the
Electric Launch and Navigation Com
pany at the fair some fifty electric boats.
On thirty Of this number the italian
syndicate referred to above has an OPP
ton, vi ich expires October 18th The
boat shipped vest srday. it is expected,
will have won its way into the good
graces of the Venetiaas long before that
time, and the Italian promoters expect
that by October 1st, they will be able
to close their option and Immediately
after the close Of the fair ship the re-
mainder OF their squadron. II. s. Lath-
rop. who has been In the employ OF the
Electric Larnch Company at the fair
VIII accompany the trial boat and will
superintend the tests On the canals OF
Venice. Mr.. Lathrop not only under
stands the cunning OF the electric iaun-
ches, but f., as well, a thorough engi-
neer and machinist. and will be able
to see that there is no failure on account
OF a breakdown in the machinery.
The thought that the gondolas OF the
picturesque Italian city are soon to be-
come part OF the poetic past will doubt
less be full Of regret 10 many Since
Byron sang OF "Venice-mistress OF the
that time-every European traveller has
brought back with him memories Of
ride in gondola. past the old palaces
OF the ancient Dodge and under the
archng bridges, as one OF the trophies
OF his journey. But the modern inventor
will not admit that the adoption Of cleo
trio launches in the place OF historic
barges will destroy any Of the poetry Of
the effect. Electricity, the modern wiz
ard, is TO take the place OF other power.
and the engineer may, II he choose. learn
from the jaunty gondolier his boating
song.
Several previous attemps have been
made TO introduce boats driven by me-
chanical power on the canals OF Venice.
but they have never been successful.
Steam launches which puffed ont black
clouds Of smoke as they passed ran for
a little time on the Grand Canal, but
we're poorly patronized and have been
almost abandoned. Against the electric
launch, which runs swiftly through tho
water without noise or smoke, no such
objection can be urged.
There are upwards OF 40 canals In
Venice, besides those which separate the
city proper from the Islands Of San
Georgia and the Gindecca Oudiac H.
iand) which are, more properly. lagoons.
Many OF these are so shallow that at
low water they would not be nayigable
to the electric launches and at high
tide the low bridges would prevent them
from passing. There Is an average Of
tidal variation OF three feet in the ca
nails.
The Grand Canal winds n serpentine
course about two and one-half miles In
length through the heart OF the city, d.
viding Ii into two unequal parts. The
vanoretti or steamers which are now
In use ply a course extending from
noint near the railroad station, which Is
ar the western extremity OF the city,
through the Grand Canal and along the
Riva IN Sciavogni which Is the chief
waterfront OF the city, TO the pubic
Gardens at the northeastern extremity
90 the CITY. where there is menagerie
On which there were confined few
years ago an elephant, an ostrich, ana
to-se The last named quadruped was
bon, In order that young Venetians might
NOT grow up IN ignorance OF the amman
so strange TO them ana so iaihi'iai W
the remainder Of the world
II Is estimated that at present 500
eondolas, sandoas, and other parks per
form the service which wheeled vehicles
perform for other cities. except the
business of the steamers. which corre-
snonds to what Is done by surface rail-
roads elsewhere. The introduction or the
electric launches will probable meet with
violent opposition from the men who
gain their livelihood by running Condo
las a we'll as from the sentimental tour
lists and artists who have read Byron and
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