The herald., 1897-06-07
CHEAP POWER
To Be Developed by Wave
Motors
LOCAL COMPANIES FORMED
THE PLAN A PRACTICAL Sue
CESS ELSEWHERE
Schemes for Irrigation Complemented
by Plans for Developing
Cheap Power


rlously, run in the same groove. When
Darwin was studying out his theory of
development by natural selection, Wal
lace, while pursuing his studies in east
ern' jungles as a naturalist, was matur-
ing In his mind the same idea, and both
made known their discovery to the world
about the same time.
A short time ago there was published
in The Herald an account Of wave mo-
tor which had been devised by a local
resident, and that was then in actual
operation close to Redondo Beach.
Wave motors have, to date, not been a
pronounced success. but in this in
stance the drawbacks on previous de-
vices were said to have been obviated,
and there we're millions in it. The cheap
development Of power is one Of the most
desira BILE achievements Of the present t
time, when its transmission to distant
points by electricity is 80 easily and eco
nomically carried out, and so the Re-
dondo scheme may mean the opening of
new era of manufacturing in Southern
energy proves to be, in very truth, sue
cesa.
Just about the time that publication
was made of the wave motor project
here plant Of the same, or similar. ma
ture was in operation in Dover Harbor,
Eng. Its essential principle is the pro-
vision of point of resistance which is
in fixed relation to the up and down mo-
tion of the waves. This Is attained by
means of submerged plane or disk.
which is anchored to the sea bottom by
efficient moorings, and at such depth as
to be unaffected by the action Of the
waves. The motor itself consists of
two parts; first, cylindrical tube or
hydrometer at right angles to and firm
ly secured to the upper surface of the
plate or disk mentioned, and rising
few feet above the surface of the water.
And. secondly, a cylindrical-shaped
buoy, which floats on the waves around
the tube having attahed to it. a pump
barrel, which, In turn, works around
the tube Immediately below the buoy.
The motion of the barrel Is synchronous
with the movement Of the waves, either
in vertical, horizontal or angular posi-
tion. In other words, the pump barrel
moves up and down in the same ddrec-
tion as the waves. and the effectiveness
of the apparatus is in no way diminished
by heavy weather.
This experimental plant, with a buoy
four feet In diameter, and a four-foot
stroke, has developed 81 indicated horse
power, and a large plant is now under
construction designed to produce $50
pounds pressure, and develop 300 indi-
Gated horse power.
1t is matter Of curious interest that
had its beginning in regions
where water was scarce. Egypt in the
old world and Peru in the new are strik-
ing illustrations Of this truth. Crops
could not be produced in either of these
countries without artificial supplies of
water, which had to be husbanded in
reservoirs and distributed over the titled
fields by means of bitches The remains
Of the irrigat ting works in these two coun-
tries stand as an amazing monument to
the engineering skill of extinct races,
And yet such regions were selected by
early man in preference to countries
where the rainfall was plentiful and
vegetable growth spontaneous. The fact
was that nature was too etrong for prim-
tive man in naturally fertile and we'll
watered regions. Selected plants could
not successfully be cultivated where.
plants not useful grew spontaneously
and choked out the crops It was easier
to overcome the obstacle OF q lack Of
water than it was to keep down the
weeds under existing conditions on the
fertile lands. So the arid regions were
chosen, and the means adopted in irriga-
ton were as ingenious as varied, and
marked distinct stages of advance
ment in the development of civilization.
Today in Southern California not only
are vast irrigation schemes in working
order, or in contemplation, but in some
Instances the double purpose is being at
tanned Of furnishing the water neces-
sary for irrigation, and at the same time
developing power for electric lighting and
motive power in the lighter manufac-
lures. Whether the development of
power by wave motors Is to be a success
in practical application on large scale
Is yet moot point. Within the last
week another company incorporated
with large capital for the purpose Of
obtaining patent rights in California to
a certain device for wave motors, and 1t
may be. that the question of cheap power
s about to beeolved. At the same time
It Is to be remembered that the wave ac-
ton of the ocean is one of the most vio-
lent and irresistible forces in nature.
The motor must be more or less mac
,essible, and remote from attendance,
and must, therefore, be automatically
adjustible. property that would seem
10 involve expensive mechanism.