New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
UiRNESSING THE NILE.
Using TIE RIVER FOR POWER As WELL N
IRRIGATION


From Tho London Standard
Professor Forbes the distinguished Electrician
and engineer has lust returned from Egypt
where at the request Of the Government ne
and his STAFF have been for some months en-
gagged on a survey OF the Nile catara,ts inese
famous rapids-for rapids they are rather man
cataracts. "A tumultuous word when conveys
the idea OF high falls-it was thought might oe
harnesscd "a Niagara was, ana Their power
which has run 60 waste for 80 many centuries
be-. utilized for the benefit of the Egyptian peo
PIES IL 1t not the engineers province 10 har-
ness all the elements? And he positively mates
waste In obedience to his Instructions then
the Professor has been. seen. ana come nome
again. His report upon the feasibility imam
cial. electrical and engineering of TINS sugges'
ton will not he delivered until September next
but seeing that SO much interest mas ie'h 'ahe n
in the big dams at Assouan and Assoui wncn
were recently described in these columns. thele
can be- no harm in noting down ie" lacls
concerning the Professors mission. ~
Professor Forbes made survey OF the ME-
from Assouan. the site OF the first cataract, 10
point not far from Abu Iiamcd. AT when tne
fourth cataract is situated. The country pc
tween the nth cataract which occurs between
Abu liamed and Bcrber. and the sixth aha
last # the famous Cataracts was LETT alone ~,
the present. at all events though II Is pele'eu
that scientific irrigation would make II SOME
OF the richest country in the world. being forih.u
Of ancient Nile mud. The river between .ne
third and fourth cataracts was merely traVeFseu,
or roughly surveyed. The really serious anu
detailed Investigations were made AT the nIsss
second and third cataracts. The question wnsn
had got to be settled was whether II would ue
possible to use the force OF the waterman I"
those three points for driving power.
First form picture OF this famous river liom
half a mile To mile wide. flowing through
country mostly mountainous, sterile ana sanuy
on both banks beyond the narrow strip OF rev
hundred yards either bank which Is cur
tvatcd 1t was thought $50 We understano!
that while they were about to construct tns
reservoirs for SURVIVING the CUlilNatOrS WIFI
constant supply Of water for their crops-susah'.,
unwisc at the same time to see If some cheaper
means of pumping could not be devised thah ~
steam power So. ii the scheme is adopted .n
waterfall will generate the electricity. when WI.
be produced In the usual way-and suppheu "
pumping engines. factories. work OF any SUI
which requires power, even the railway 60.
ginc-aso in the usual way. The pes'nh,e
means heavy masonry work solid foundation,s
tunnels. shafts the edge of the caiaraeS
which is thus led into turbines or "a'e.a
wheels which generate the electricity am.
there you have the whole process In All us s''
pllcity. Such works will be costly II II ~ a.
less to say IL Is the financial aspect whon WHICH,
always the most difficult Given that an 49, 40.
ing means OF getting power are hdeousH , us
as they are. whether by fuel or native laoo, s
can we harness the cataracts at such a cos "a
Will render II commercially beneficial? ih N,sas
II Is capable OF solution One Of lroiesssS
Forbess duties we believe, was to discover rs
wants OF the cultivators, and already ne Itch
tabulated eighteen distinct Industries WIZ" no
would be largely and Immediately benente" -
harnesslng the Nile.