l893-] WARNER IMPROVED CANAL NAVIGATION. 235 



concave stern so that when coupled together the train is flexible and 

 can conform to the bends in the canal. The stern or rudder boat 

 should be built so as to best answer the purpose of a rudder and be 

 operated by ropes connected with the windlass on the bow boat. 

 The places where the boats are connected should be covered with 

 iron aprons so as to make an unbroken water line. These aprons 

 could be worked by the man at the wheel so as to throw them out at 

 right angles with the boats and act as a brake in checking the speed. 



The greatest commercial need of the country at the present time 

 is cheaper transportation between the great west and the seaboard. 

 Capital is awaiting the development of a perfected system of canal 

 navigation before constructing a great system of waterways from the 

 Mississippi to the Atlantic. It only remains to combine the firm iron 

 grip on terra firnia of an improved motor with the heavy freights in 

 boat trains, floating on the quiet waters of the canal, to reduce the 

 freight rates to a mere fraction of the present cost. The problem of 

 canal navigation can undoubtedly be solved on the lines above 

 indicated. 



The paper was discussed by Professor A. L. Arey, Mr. J. Y. 

 McClintock, Mr. J. E. Putnam and others. 



January 8, 1894. 

 fifteenth annual meeting. 



The President, Professor H. L. Fairchild, in the chair. 



On account of the small number of members present, due to the 

 stormy weather, the business of the Annual Meeting was deferred to 

 the next stated meeting of the Academy. 



January 22, 1894. 



deferred fifteenth annual meeting. 



The President, Professor H. L. Fairchild, in the chair. 



A large number of persons present. 



The Council report recommended the appropriation of money 

 for Secretary's expenses. The report was adopted. 



t 



