Scientific American Supplement, No. 1178, June 25, 1898 — John Shaqi
Scientific American Supplement, No. 1178, June 25, 1898Various
History
Scientific American Supplement, No. 1178, June 25, 1898
Various
Science -- Periodicals
The success attending an application of electric towing on the
Burgundy Canal was such that two new applications of electricity to
canal haulage and also for barge propulsion were made last year in the
neighborhood of Dijon, on the same canal, under the superintendence of
M. Gaillot, Ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées. In the method of
haulage, says The London Engineer, the receptor dynamo is mounted on a
tricycle, to which the name of "electric horse" has been given, and
which, running on the towing path, takes its current from an air line
consisting of two wires, mounted five meters (nearly 17 feet) above
the surface. This "horse," which weighs two tons, and is guided by a
driver mounted upon it through the front wheel, proceeds on the towing
path like a traction engine; and the boats are connected with it by a
rope, with automatic disengaging gear, in case the force of the stream
or a gust of wind should drive a boat backward. Speeds of from 1,990
to 4,240 meters (mean 3,319 yards) were obtained with the electric
horse, towing from three to four boats, so that it is more suitable
than the electric propeller for towage in rivers or very long reaches;
but it requires a driver, while the propeller, with which speeds of
from 2,150 to 4,240 meters (mean 3,406 yards) per hour were obtained,
is worked by the bargee on board his boat. The towing path is not
worn, and there is no occasion for a tow rope, which always causes
difficulty when two boats cross one another. M. Maillet and M.
Dufourny, Belgian Ingénieurs des Ponts et Chaussées, who watched the
trials, conclude that a practical solution of the question depends
upon the cost of producing the motive power; but they also consider
that horse haulage on canals will soon be superseded by mechanical
traction, based on the use of an automotive tricycle, working with
petroleum or some other hydrocarbon, and capable of running on the tow
path without requiring any fixed plant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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