New-York tribune., 1896-11-15

river. fnd. consequently cmbankments were
built out 10 that point. Work on the canal was
begun In 1901 and finished carly in 1894 After
the water had done duty. ii was to be led out
from the wheelpit into an cnorn Gus tunnel
1000 feet long. dipping six feet TO the thou
sand, and dscharging into the river below the
falls. This passage was cut through soft rock
and lined with brick masonry. Its height was
II feet and breadth nearly 10. and its construc-
ton required the services Of 1000 men for three
years Both the canal and tunnel de-
signed so as to provide for the development Of
100000 horsepower.
OTHER PROJECTS IN PROSPECT.
In this connection 1t may be remarked that
the Niagara Falls Power Company has been
authorized 10 construct another canal and tun-
mel capable OF yielding 100000 horsepower
more. whenever the demand arises. Besides. ii
controls the rights of Canadian corporation.
which has been empowered to develop 2"OOJO
on the other side OF the river
1t is now nearly eighteen months since the
first turbine and dynamo were started at Mag
ara under these auspices. Since then second
and third have been added 10 the plant. But the
wheelpit is now about 10 be enlarged as to
accommodate several more; as many new dyna-
mos will also be built and the powcr-house will
be extended TO cover this additional machinery.
1t Is intended that there shall be ten turbines
in row all on one side OF tho canal, and these.
IL will he observed, will utilize Just One-haf OF
the present water supply. In time ten more
turbines will be arranged on the opposite side
Of the canal.
Three four striking features Of the power
plant deserve mention. In most OF the dynamos
which one ordinarily the central drum or
armature is the rotating part. and the outer
frame substantially circular) which supports
the field" magnets is fixed. Moreover. the axle
Of the armature is usually horizontal. But at
Niagara the axles are arranged vertically The
dynamo is at the top and the turbine at the bot
tom Of a shaft 14O feet long. Then too the
armaturcs are stationary. and each set Of field
magnets Is fastened to the inside Of a massive
steel ring 11l2 feet in diameter which incloses
the rest OF the machine and makes go rcvol,i-
tions a minute. Umbr"lla-lke ribs secure this
ring 10 the upper end Of the shaft. which comes
up through hole in the centre Of the armature
from below.
The shaft. which has almost as much work
10 90 as the one which communicates the power
or big steamship engine to her screw Is hol-
low and made Of steel three-quarters OF an inch
thick. Its diameter is thirty-eight inches The
combined weight Of that part Of the dynamo
which rcvolves the shaft and the part OF the
this tremendous load Is held up not by some
massive bearing underneath 1t ALL but by the
force or the water coming In from one side be-
tween the upper and lower halves OF the turhna
This is beautiful adjustment.
WONDER or MECHANICS
The wheel itself is also a wor der Of mecban-
ical science Although It Is only five feet in
diameter the weight Of a column OF water 14O
feet high coming down through a penstock w
feet In diameter Is able to develop a trIfie over
5000 horsepower 1t ought to be added tbo,
at the time they were built. the dynamos hid n
capacity much beyond that Of any others ever
constructed. The biggest generator in the In
uamura' rauway plant at the Chicago exhihi.