232 ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. [ DcC. II, 



thp: mechanical problems involved in improved 

 canal navjgation. 



By F. W. Warner. 

 (Abstract.) 



It has been proved by actual experiment in this country as well 

 as in Holland that it costs only about one-third as much to transport 

 goods by canal as by rail. In railroad transportation, besides the 

 coal and water used, the important factors of the wear and tear 

 of ties, rails, plates, the rolling stock, the expensive lubricants, and 

 necessary attention are all to be considered. In canal transportation 

 these factors are all eliminated, and the weight of the freight and 

 boat rests upon the water which is the best and cheapest lubricant 

 in overcoming the friction of motion. In making the comparison of 

 cost, however, it must be taken into consideration that the railroads 

 have for the last forty years received the best thoughts of the most 

 skillful inventors, and thousands of patents on new and useful appli- 

 ances have been granted by the government, which have had for their 

 object increasing the efficiency of the roads and decreasing the cost 

 of transportation. It is different, however, in the matter of canal 

 navigation, for transportation on the canals is hardly up to the 

 standard of efficiency and economy which it had attained forty years 

 ago. 



The subject of the efficient and economical use of the water ways 

 presents the most promising field for the skillful inventor. With 

 the best mechanical and engineering skill given to canal naviga- 

 tion, we would find that the carrying capacity of the canal could be 

 increased ten-fold and the cost of transportation could be reduced to 

 a fraction of the present rate. 



The problems which are involved in the subject of improved 

 canal navigation are many and of a widely differing nature. In a 

 brief paper it is only possible to outline some of them and offer 

 suggestions as to their solution. 



The problems of navigation naturally fall under the following 

 heads : first, what motive power will prove most practicable of appli- 

 cation, can be supplied at the lowest cost, and show the best results 

 in speed ; second, in what manner can this power be best utilized in 

 mpving boats ; third, how can we best overcome the resistance 

 offered by the water to the progress of the boats. 



The first of these propositions has received the greatest attention 

 but is in reality of the least importance. Electricity does precisely 



