Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-13

bilitv Of f.OOO-horse-power. and generates
electricity Of 100 volts This Is conveyed
to transformers. of which there are
twelve. The current Of electricity enters
at $50 volts and comes out at 5000 volts
on a line Of wire that has no connection
with any dynamo
Another turbulent mountain stream IS
being harnessed I'm San Gabriel Canon. It's
power will be transmitted to half-dozen
towns. including Pasadena, Monrovia, and
Azusa. i'm Southern california. II is be
lievod that nearly 3N0-hOrse power VIII
be had from the San Gabriel Canon
stream. Thirty-two tunnels. aggregatins
32Oo0 feet I'm length. have been bored
through the solid granite 10 lead the
stream 60 a steep grade. where verii-
cal fall OF water may be had. Then 1900
linear feet of wooden and concrete pipe
~ inches in diameter. has been laid for
carrying the stream in bulk 10 the Pelton
water wheels. Thus the canon water is
ted some seven miles to the power-house.
In this distance there IS fall Of ass feet
The principal difficulties met by the en-
gneers in the San Gabriel Canon were
the walls OF granite where WOrkmen had
TO be carried up TO their work I'm baskets
fastened to cables and the conducting OF
the water after 1T left the water wheels
back into the original channel for rri-
eating use I'm the valley twenty miles be-
low.
The mining population in California IS
watching with interest the work now GO
ing forward toward the development OF
electric power from the Kern river, In
Kern county. 10 miles north OF Los An
geles city. If this enterprise is accom-
plished a revolution in mining methods
-. h..
largest stream in the southern end Of the
San Joaquin Valley. The plant first in
stalled will have turbines developing
about 12,0J0-horse-power at the lowest
stage Of the river. The situation will per-
NIT of further power development 20 meet
increased demands. The companys pro-
ject includes the construction OF a dam
o the outlet Of an immense natural re-
servoir site, and by this means the i'm
pounding Of water TO a volume OF 42.c0D
acre feet, the equivalent Of 1871, 10000
gallons. With the Kern-River Electric
COmpany's plans brought 10 a successful
completion the Rand gOld-mining district
in Kern county will have 30o0-horse-pOwer|
for use I'm its mines, All that is now
done by steam or compressed air i'm the
mines may then be accomplished by cleo
trio power. The drilling. the tanning.
er and easier and with less danger by
electricity. John W. Baker. a mine owner
OF Sacramento. recently said: THE use
OF electric power in mining will begin a
new era in the industry. The expenses Of
mining will be cut down 80 mlsh that
poor mines may be worked at "a profit,
and, besides, the ore can be got out with
less work. No one can yet estimate the
changes in gold and silver mining that
will follow upon the introduction OF cleo
tricity in the industry"
The electrical power plants at Folsom
Pomona. and Fresno. In this State show
what electricians may expect from the
seven plants in California now coming 10
completion All the finished plants have
exceeded the expectations Of their pro-
jeCtors i'm the cheapness and convenience
OF electrical transmission. Something
like 10000 has been invested I'm such
electric plants in this State already. The
CalifoTnians have a reputation of doing
nothing by halves, and it seems not
wide statement that a dozen millions OF
dollars Will be invested in electrical plants
along tho canon streams and in copper
wire and machinery here in the next few
years.
For several months a corps Of engineers
has been making plans for the develop
ment Of electric power from the Kaweah
river, in Tulare county. The engin GERS
estimate puts the total expense Of the
work at $4,000. About l2o-horse power
can be obtained. and this may be utilized
i'm Tulare, POrterville, and other San
In Northern California, under the shadows
Of Mount Shasta. work on the greatest
electrcal-power plant In America. outside |
OF Niagara, IS progressing. New York, |
San Francisco. and Buffalo capital is back |
of the enterprise, which will cost seyeral |
millions OF dollars. The only element OF !!
doubt in the scheme is the distance that |
the voltage may be economically trans |
mitted. for the little towns IN the part " |
the State where the electricity Is de- |
veloped cannot use all the motive power |
this enterprise proposes 10 develop.
Near San Diego is one of the most |
famous OF the big irrigation dams OF |
the world, that at Sweetwater. which |
has stood for ten years. IL Is proposed /
20 get some 2.oo-horse power at the dam |
miles distant. L. s Grant. Jr. and |
Jesse Grant, sons Of General Grant, are
m the head OF "A company which has the |
plan I'm view. Electrical engineers nave |
reported that nowhere can horse power ]
be developed ana transmitted n edper |
than In San Diego county. There are |
other great water powers in the San Diego |
mountains and canOns. and 10 is believed |
he AtchisOn. Topeka and santa Fe Rail-
road Company is interested in having lis
jOwer Tor IT'S locomotives on the Southern |
California Division.
A project 10 harness the waters Of the |
stream i'm Sanchez Canon, among the |
slerras. back OF stockton. In the upper
laTt or the San Joaquin Valley. Is going
lhead Engineers are at work ascertain
ng what power may be developed there |
md the best means OF conveying IL from
he mountain streams and waterfalls 20
stockton, and possibly San Francisco.
= "a hean done ShnW
Il least 4U0-horse power may be sent |
n an electric current from the trans
ormers over several copper wires through
he San Joaquin Valley.