The San Francisco call., 1897-02-07

water may be obtained for heating pur-
, poses. Arrago and Wolferdin, two emf
nent physicists, suggested this method for
the purpose of warming the Jardin des
Plantes in Paris.
The lack at that time OF proper mechani-
cal appliances deferred the enterprise.
| Now that such important improvements
have been made in carrying borings TO
/ enormous depths the time is at hand when
we may draw upon the supply of subter-
ranean heat. The city of Budapest is
now extensively supplied with hot water
/ from underground sources.
! 1t must be known that this rule OF in
creased temperature applies to the earth s
crust considered as a level coinciding
with the surface of the sea. In the vol
cano the subterranean heat is projected
far above the line of sea level. To reach a
region OF desired high temperature in
volcanic region it is not necessary to bore
deeply into the bowels of the earth. A
horizontal shaft piercing the vent of the
volcano above sea level will reach the in
candescent material in more direct ana
shorter route than a vertical one. Recog
nizing the great need of adequate heat
for. after all, heat Is the basis OF mechani-
!
COAL gas or even water force, it is sim ply
the determination of how many units of
mode of motion" that are obtainable
| that solves the problem Of all manufac-
turing ndustries-recognizing this prime
fact, the scheme has been had under con-
sideration for long time by prominent
promoters of industrial enterprises OF
utilizing, if possible, the heat i'm prisoned
in the now dormant volcanic rocks of our
Western coast. For if it can be made
available the greatness of the Pacific Coast
is assured. The market for whatever
manufactured products she may create Is
and has been waiting, and it is an i'm
mense market and growing one.
To this end, quietly, but systematically,
Investigations have been going on by
thoroughly competent men of well-known
engineering and scientific ability, who
have just concluded their labors and made
their report, which is now in the hands of
the executive committee of a syndicate
formed OF Eastern and English capitalists,
fully able TO deal promptly and compe-
tently with any undertaking involving
the expenditure Of hundreds of millions.
The report states that at numerous
places along the line of volcanic fracture
and upheaval. known as the Coast
Range" a temperature of from 200 to 800
degrees Fahrenheit) may be reached by
means of horizontal tunnel or drift con-
structed above sea level; the elevation of
the cutting or boring above sea level vary
ing with the locality. AS, for instance,
the temperature mentioned may be found
at the termination of a boring projected
inf ba eid If
rion of 5000 feet, while the same tempera-
ture would have TO be sought for at lower
levels elsewhere. 1t is not meant by this
that molten material or even incan-
descence would be found in such cases, but
that the boring would reach an interior
region having the temperature men,
toned.
For reasons that will be we'll understood
these borings VIII be conducted at levels
not greatly elevated above sea level. In
the case OF huge mountain, as Mount
Shasta, the outlet of the fiery material al
the time of its election was through
central dixie or funnel, the enormous
amount of matter elected having in time
largely formed the mass of the sides of
the mountain. To attempt to reach the
hot interior funnel would, therefore, en-
tail the necessity OF an extremely long
tunnel. The object to be attained-the
presence of heat-may be had by means
of much shorter tunnels projected into
lower volcanic formations having thinner
walls. This latter condition is the one
recommended by the report.
The report is accompanied with elabo-
rate geological and physical maps of the
regions inspected, and also by numerous
drawings showing in sectional elevation
the various localities which are available
to the purposes.
The practical application of the scheme
comprehends the cutting of tunnels of
working dimensions into the sides of GER
tain mountains in the Coast Range; the
tunnels will vary from one to three miles
in length, or until the temperature sought
for is reached. In the tunnels will be
placed system of pipes leading from the
m outh of the cutting to its interior end.
In the furthest end of the tunnel will be
placed what might be termed boilers; only
they will contain no water, simply air.
These boilers will be made of cast iron, of
peculiar construction, so that any num-
Der Of them may be connected together, to
form one battery" A portion of the
pipes leading 10 the "boilers" will carry
cold air, and another portion convey the
heated air from the "boilers" to the eu-
glnes. Within the tunnels, removed at
suitable distance from the hot end, will be
placed hot-air engines, using the ex-
pahded hot air in much the same manner
as If 1t were steam. Air is the most elastic
HAT GlRDLES THE HULL, A