The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-01-25
WORK OF GLACIER.
MT. TACOMA ICE FIELDS MADE
TO FURNISH LIGHT.
Have Become the Source of Electrical
Power That Is Furnished to
Cities Hundred Miles
Away.

."oJs
Among the great mountain peaks on
the Pacific coast, that of Tacoma is
perhaps best known, owing not only to
Its size, but to the immense ice-cap
upon Its summit formed by the num-
Der OF glaciers which exist there.
IL is not only great mountain, says
the Technical World. but a beautiful
mountain, since the ice formation
glittering in the sunlight makes 1t Wis
ible for a distance ranging from 60
to 80 miles on clear day, so that 1t
can be distinctly seen in the cities Of
Seattle and Tacoma
While the peak is sometimes termed
Mt Rainier. Tacoma, the title which
the Indians gave IT., Is a far more ap-
propriate name for this peak, since
Tacoma" in a sense means nourish
ment. The fields of ice and snow ex-
tending for miles upon its slopes form
the source of several important rivers.
which not only nourish a wide area of
farming country. but have recently
formed most important source Of
power for the cities named, as we'll as
for smaller towns in this section OF
Washington. In fact, from the glacial
streams of Tacoma is already generat-
ed q very large quantity of electric
power. which is being utilized not only
for power but Tor heating and lighting
as well. To give an idea of the DIVERSE
ty OF uses for the current. 1t may be
stated that 1t operates the electric
railway systems in the cities of Seattle
and Tacoma, aggregatingg l6S miles OF
trolley line, In addition to cable rail-
ways situated in the hilly portions OF
these cities. Besides this service, how
ever, current is furnished for one of
the most notable interurban electric
railways in the United States. that ex-
tending between Seattle and Tacoma,
where power is secured from the third
rail in connection with the multiple
unit system. This line is employed
not only for passenger service but for
transporting freight and express ma
terial, and ranks among the most COM
pietely equipped electric systems in
the world. The horse power required
for number Of the largest industries
in the city of Tacoma, including the
shops of the Northern Pacific railway
and the water works pumping plant, is
also obtained from this source; while
illumination for streets and buildings,
in 10th Seattle and Tacoma, depends
upon 1t to considerable extent. The
demand for power is increasing so
rapidly that within a few years Mount
Tacoma will be supplying fully $4,000
horse power to the cities mentioned.
While, as already stated, the glaciers
and snow fields of Mount Tacoma are
the source of several important rivers
traversing the western portion OF
Washington, the stream which gene
rates the electric current at present Is
the Puyallup, which originates in two
of the principal glaciers, Owing to the
distance of the stream from its source
to The generating station, a head Of
water is secured which is enormous,
considering the volume of water util-
lied. Consequently the installation OF
machinery for generating current, and
the system for distributing II, present
unusually interesting features. The
plan adopted was to divert the river
from its natural bed, carrying the wa
ter by means of tiume ten miles to a
reservoir located on a high plateau,
and thence discharging by means OF
steel pipes against wheels In the power
house, under a head of S72 feet, the
water wheels so driven being direct
connected to electric generators, and
the electric power so produced being
transmitted at a pressure of $1,000
volts, 48 miles TO Seattle and 32 miles
to Tacoma.
All water rights and the necessary
land abutting on the river, from the
poin, OF diversion TO point of return,
were secured, as well as all land neces-
sary for hume and other structures,
aud actual work OF development was
commenced March /, 1903.