Popular Science Monthly 



257 



'Canal Boats" Which Are Real 

 Water- Shoes 



A\ Italian electrician, Luigi Risso, 

 . of Genoa, has invented an 

 ingenious form of water-shoe to 

 which he gi\es the name "hydro 

 ski." Compared with so-called 

 water-shoes or skis already on the 

 market it difTers in the method of 

 propulsion. Unlike forms introduced 

 in the past, the present shoes, which 

 are canvas pontoons, are provided with 

 two sets of cross arms or axles to which 

 paddles are fitted at their extremities. 



It will be noted in the illustration that 

 the iiaddle is fastened to one pontoon 

 by means of an eccentric axle, ami to 

 the other pontoon by another eccentric 



The mechanism of the water-shoe, showing the 

 mounting of the paddle wheel on the pontoons 



axle. These axles are not in alinement, 

 so that by shifting the weight of the 

 body from one shoe to the other alter- 

 nately, the paddle wheel is turned at a 

 fair rate of speed with \ery little effort. 

 Steering is facilitated b\- the use of a 

 double-blade paddle, which also enabl3s 

 the operator to maintain his balance. 



