322 Mr. W. A. Tait [March 4, 



spring tides is about 13 feet. If the scheme is a success, so much the 

 better for Stornoway and district, where developments are in hand. 



If, however, the scheme should for any reason fail, then the small 

 expenditure upon it would prevent the expenditure of a very large 

 sum upon the Severn works. 



The proposed test at Loch Seaforth would after all only be a 

 test with clean water. Some experiments should also be made with 

 Bristol Channel water before any decision is come to. 



As regards the filling of the reservoir above the Severn Barrage 

 on the flood tide, it can hardly be anticipated that the spring and 

 neap tides will in future rise to quite the same height as formerly, on 

 account of the obstruction to be interposed. 



This observation applies to both sites. It should also be pointed 

 out that the lines suggested for the lengthening of the dams may 

 cause eddies in the neighbourhood at or about the time of half tide, 

 when, however, comparatively few, if any, vessels will be passing 

 through the barrage. 



As regards the driving of the turbines by the issuing water during 

 the ebb tide, it has still to be ascertained what wearing effect the silt 

 in suspension will have upon the moving parts of the turbines. This 

 also refers to both schemes. 



The originators of both schemes have come to the conclusion that 

 it w 7 ill be more profitable to work the turbines on the ebb tide only. 



One of the technical papers, in reviewing the scheme of the 

 Ministry of Transport, points out that " the portions of the dam 

 coming on either side of the ' Shoots ' would be used for the installa- 

 tion of turbines and electric generators, the ' Shoots ' channel itself 

 forming the tail race." The paper then goes on to say that, "As 

 vessels desiring to proceed into or away from the shipping basin, or 

 up or down the river, would have to pass through the ' Shoots ' in 

 order to reach the system of locks which it is proposed to construct 

 at the far end, they would have to run the gauntlet of turbine dis- 

 charges on both quarters. . . . The effect of such discharges in a 

 channel only a little wider than the Thames at Westminster on vessels,, 

 which would of course have to be navigated at slow 7 speed, might 

 well be considered." 



The paper apparently overlooks the fact that the turbines will not 

 be at work at or near the time of slack water, which vessels will ini 

 all probability use for passing through the barrage. 



(Slides were exhibited to show the following : — (1) Bird's-eye- 

 view ; (2) the River Wye, looking towards the Severn ; (3) island 

 near Beachley, looking towards England ; (4) Upper Wye ) 



As regards the construction of high-level reservoirs, great care 

 must of course be taken in proving the foundations, having regard 

 to the trouble encountered during the construction of other reservoirs 

 in the neighbourhood. The effect of accumulated Severn Estuary- 

 water on the surrounding country will also have to be considered. 



