New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-25
ELECTRICITY ON CANALS.
RECENT TESTS IN FOREIGN LANDS
SHOWING THE COST COMPARED
WITH THAT OF STEAM.

Although America has led the world in the APP
plication of electricity to traction street rail-
ways ii is to be feared that other countries will
see the practical of this agent for hauling
canalboats before the United States does. Such
result would be due lack of inventive genius
this side of the Atlantic. but TO financial and
legislative causes, A number of experiments were
made years ago with electricity on the Erie Canal.
but these have not been followed up at one time
seemed probable In the mean time Germany and
France have been trying electricity a small
scale at number of points
Europe has employed a great variety of means
for moving canalboats. Steam tugs in
favor. Another popular scheme was TO lay a heavy
chain cable along the bottom of the waterway, and
to provide each boat with the necessary apparatus
for picking 1t up and pulling itself along thereby.
huge drum placed on the boat, over which
the cable took a turn. The rotation of the drum
by a steam engine the boat drew the cable IN
the bow and paid 1t out over the stern. Steam
locomotives resembling the English and American
farm traction engine have also been tried on the
towpath.
To a towboat In a canal as to an independent
steamboat, there has always been the objection
that 1t gives rise to a swell or wash that is de-
structive to the walls of the canal The chain
system also works a rapid deterioration Of the
banks and bed OF the waterway. The steam trac-
ton engine the towpath requires close attention
to keep it on the track, and IS likely to cut the
path up badly. Moreover, 1t begins to look
if steam used in this manner rather more
pensve than when applied dynamos at
castonal power stations along the route.
APPLICATIONS OF THE PLAN
Three general plans have been considered in the
use of electricity on the canals One method calls
for an electric motor board the boat, to drive
screw. This plan is open to the objection
the steam tug. 1t raises too great a swell. There
are other drawbacks, but they of minor i'm
portance and be overcome. Secondly. II has
been proposed to employ machine that is sus-
pended by pueys from a stout steel cable above
the towpath of the canal and let this machine
pull Itself along by haIlng on another stationary
cable. The operation resembles that of the chain
cable system previously referred to- except that in
the of electric traction the cables sup
ported posts in the dry air. whereas in the other
system the chain lies in the bottom of the canal
of the time.
The cable motor has its advantages and disad'
vantages. 1t leaves entirely clear towpath and.
being eight nine feet above the road 1t carries
its towline vessels going in the opposite drec-
ton and boats that lie anchor La Revue
Technique. in speaking of some tests made with
motor OF this type near Eberswald Germany, a
numerous and sharp the construction is too costly;
the canal and rotating the poles on their axes they
must be well anchored and placed pretty close to
or more, and is supported by pulleys on, cable
might possibly be showed along to the next station
by the following motor.
that solid ground Here again. there is
chance for difference in detail one may use
from running off the track on one side or the
other Then there may be single rail for the
guidance of the vehicle. In some instances the
double rail plan has been tried. OF course, where
experiments are conducted, some OF these
In Germany. on biz of canal only half mile
long almost any plan could be adopted without
soon as serious attempt is made to equip long
canal II would be necessary to remember that the
development of the new practice would be gradual,
and that some canal men would continue to
horses and mules long after their more progressive
compatrtots had purchased electric motors. Hence
the changes made on the towpath to accommodate
the latter should be such as would not bother the
animals. Eventually electricity would be used ex-
clusvely doubt; but there would be a transition
period of considerable length. The situation would
be like that the American railways when the
Janney coupler first came into service 1t
necessary TO modify the form OF that coupler so
that 1t would not only engage another one of the
same kind, but also afford hold for that
still retained the old link and pin.
PATH FREE FOR HORSES
Hence. where rails are laid on a towpath at ALL
for electric vehicles to haul canal boats 1t is de-
sirable to Injure the footing for animals little
possible This is doubtless the reason why a
single rail was tried at first, and when two rails
were resorted 10 they supported, on cross
ties, but on cement blocks that left the path free
for horses.
The automobile like the suspended motor per-
forms Its work as the Yankee mule does. with
tow line: and 1t gets its supply of from
overhead trolley wire and pole. The
the machine is perched upon a seat In the rear,
like the driver of moving machine where
rails employed to guide the motor the man
can concentrate his attention on controlling its
speed and the passing of other boats without acct
dent.
Summarizing the results obtained with the latter
plan near Eberswald, La Revue Technique says
that the cost per ton mile of moving freight would
range from OOSS to COPS Of cent, with traffic of
from 5000 600 to 100000 tons, whereas the cost of
steam traction under the same circumstances would
vary from O05S to .0042 of a cent