The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-19
TROLLEY BOATS ON THE ERIE.
COZ FLOWER WITNESSES THE TRIAL
OF ELECTRICITY ON THE CANAL.

Thousands Line the Banks and Choer-The
Governor Addresses Them at Ono OF the
1.ocks-The Trial Complete Success.
ROCHESTER,. Nov. 12-Electric propulsion for
boats upon the Erie Canal is . dem onstrated
fact. The arrangements for to-day's expert
ments on section . OF the Erie Canal. about
three miles out Of Rochester were completed
last night. short trial trip was made after
midnight which was satisfactory to Nice-Pres-
ident Hawley. The trolley wires are stretched
nine-tenths OF mile along q portion OF the
canal with several sharp turns and this
section presents one OF the severest tests.
The boat used was the Frank W. Haw-
ley. with the old-stylo dishpan propeller
wheels. which are not as efficient ms
the present style OF the tug wheel used on the
canal steamers. A boat with the regular tug
wheel could not be obtained in time for the
experiment. II the electrical power on the
canal is adopted. it is intended to have but one
rotor on each bont which will take up n space
about four feet square and which will insure
quite a saving In space The Hawley Is fitted
with two motors Of the standard street railway
type. each OF 25-horse power, with the standard
Westine house series multiple controller placed
in the stern OF the boat.
Street Railroad Company's iced wire, and tap
ped onto the canal trolley wire. passing thence
the return wire. The motors are attached
directly 70 the shaft Of the propeller with the
carr Tno troeys se used SsY" day we're under
running ones and would not permit the boat
to vary from q straight course more than ten
wire more than that distance. The over-run-
ming trolley, which it is proposed to be used.
swing from one side Of tho canal to another
and still retain its hold on the power wire
mont OF Public Works. State Engineer Schenck.
and Representatives Of the United Press
n a the boat oe9 SaT t May nnd
trip was made from one end Of the trolley
wires to the other and lack. amid the cheers
Of the people along the banks Superintendent
Hannan said:
There is no doubt OF the success OF the use
The principal thing which we shall! determine
to-day Is tho cost Of tho use OF such power. "
power svaiabe . nn o Of it will to
be shown that boat can be operated ut a less
cost 3 6y , electricity than by steam: =, poo,o
ter. was on the boat as an expert representa-
tive OF Superintendent, Hannah. He will re-
test. On the first trial this morning but $40
volts was oD,ainablc, from the feed wires
nun Der Of prominent Rochester citizens ar
rived on the scene. By tn Is time several thou
sand people lined the banks Of the section on
which the experiments were to be tried. and
the boat sell was alive with humanity. The
boat was loaded with 175 tons Of sand.
shortly alter ii o'clock the official start was
made. GOV Flower turning on the current:
The boat went along all right at an estimated
speed OF 80 miles an nour. and as 1t was pass
ing through n lock Gov. Flower took occasion
to address those on either bank. In the course
Of his remarks he said:
The canals now carry about 3. DOC. 900 tons
OF freight u year With electric motor power
an assured fact. as IL Low seems 1t will he, We
can carry 12,OOO.OUO tons a year at no In
creased cost to the State. 1t will also open a
larger route Tor the products Of the West |
understand that by the use OF electricity the
cost Q! transportation on the canals can he re-
duced three-quarters."
A trip up and down the section was COM
pleted at L o'clock. Among those on board
were:
, Anthony A. Brady OF Albany: George Westinghouse
lenIHe Bahnister, and BraytOn Ives of the WestiuR
house company of litts Irgl; AkOla
the non. John BOgart. state EngineereI-ct Adams.
FRANK Platt. William Mertrn francis Lynde stct
cry: Evan lhomas Allied ROmer anu u W. Balch OF
the New York Produce Exchange
Prominent persons from Rochester. Buffalo.
ana other places. as we'll as several officials OF
the Niagara Power Company. which proposes
to supply electricity to the local companies to
he formed along the line OF the canal. were
present. MIR. I. G. Platt Is a director Of the
company formed to operate in this vicinity.
After the official test the Governor and the
rest Of the irspecting party were entertained
mt dinner given by f. w. Bawl ey. Fice-Presi- |
dent OF the Cataract General Electric Com
pany. at his summer home. Pittsford Farms
Only an average Of 325 volts could be OBJ |
tanned from the feed wire where $50 volts |
should have been available.