The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-01-31
COLUMBIA's FAMED CANAL.
Its Entire Water Power to be Utilized,
and Put Into Marketable Shane.

and Put Into Marketable Shape.
Columbia has set the pace for the
whole country in the matter of the
transmission of electrical power for
cotton mills, and proven that hence
forth there is to be no question as to
the site of n projected mill. Recently
The State republishcd an article from
high authority dealing with that ques-
tion. Now, in two weeks time ground
Is to be broken for the erection Of a
plant that will be the largest electrical
generating plant in the world save one,
for the transmission OF the unse, II
power for long distances, not except
ing the plant in the state of Hidalgo,
Mexico, which was recently contracted
for to transmit 1000 horse power over
distance of 20 miles, and the Sacfa-
mento-Folsom transmission plant in
California, which was put into success
ful operation last year, transmitting
1000 horse power ~ miles from the
water falls ut Folsom to Sacramento ut
a commercial efficiency OF over 10 per
cent. The only plant that will be lar
ger is that at Portland, Ore, recently
started, transmitting $4,000 horse
power II miles. Columbias plant
will, however, be somewhat different
in character, and OF its peculiar kind,
it will be the largest in the world, it
is said.
All know that the Columbia Water
Power company has been contemplate
ing the erection of a large generating
plant here for some time. About a
month ago experts came here to make
an examination with view to deciding
whether or not to erect plant utiliz.
ing all Of the Columbia canal. The
State now has the information direct
from one of the gentlemen who pro-
pose to spend their money in the erec-
tion OF this plant that they have Mt
last accepted the plans; that the plant
will utilize MI OF the power afforded by
the Columbia canal: that they will
award the contract for the cunstruc.
ton of the buildings this week, and
that ground is TO be broken for the
erection of the plant near the foot of
Gcrvals street III two weeks time. a
gentleman. who never makes such an
nouncements, until matter is snlly
determined upon, says the available
power will be something over 10000
horse power. The plant will be pushed
to an early completion.
The erection of this plant will prob
ably revolutionize things in Columbia
and in a few short months she is likely
to become the "Queen City of tho
South" indeed. The power will be
cheap and cotton mills will doubtless
oo llD in every direction Tho uuoc-
tion of sites will be no longer cousid.
Grafton. A leading authority only a
month ago said: 'In the matter of
long distance transmission OF power,
electrical machinery has made such
remarkable advances that it is no lon
ger necessary to bring the mill to the
water power. The proceeding is now
reversed and the water power is trans
mitted to the mill, which is located
where 1t is most desirable, and is not
forced TO be situated miles away from
railroads and cities as has been the
case heretofore" But not only will
power hc supplied to cotton mills, but
other enterprises in need of motive
power. It would be hard to estimate
the impetus that VIII unquestionably
be given to industrial development in
Columbia by this plant.
And this only reminds one that it is
time for the river navigation commit
tee to be pushing that matter on
through with the least possible delay.
Cheap freight rates and successful in
dust,ial enterprises must always go
hand in hand. - The state.