The only Canadian Species of Alligator. 



THE CANADIAN 'ALLIGATOR.' 



The accompanying illustration shows an 

 'alligator,' or warping tug, a device 

 which has been used with considerable 

 success in districts in which are found 

 many small lakes connected by streams of 

 no great size. 



The 'alligator' is essentially a flat- 

 bottomed scow, fitted with engines and 

 paddle-wheels or a propeller. The latest 

 type has twin screws, the shafts of 

 which have a flexible joint, so that the 

 screw can be raised up so as to escape 

 obstructions. A steam winch is also in- 

 stalled on board, and the engine can be 



thrown in gear to drive either the pro- 

 peller or the winch. 



To the bottom of the boat is attached 

 a pair of runners, shod with iron, and the 

 bow and part of the bottom are covered 

 with steel boiler plate. 



When it is necessary to make a portage, 

 a cable is attached to the bow of the 

 boat and then run to a tree or trees along 

 the road and fastened there. The engine 

 is then geared on the winch and the cable 

 is hauled in. The boat thus crawls over 

 the land, thus by its amphibiousness justi- 

 fying its name of 'alligator.' Quite a 

 number of these tugs are now in use and 

 are claimed to be giving good satisfac- 

 tion. 



