TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 995 



hydraulic plant, and this system has been applied to almost every conceivable 

 machine. Until recently, however, the lighting- of such places was entirely done 

 by gas, and whilst the hydraulic plant has become more efficient, especially for 

 regular work, gas lighting has proved totally inadequate, and, therefore, electric 

 lighting is now superseding the gas. This, however, necessitates the putting down 

 of two separate sets of machinery, one for hydraulic, the other for electric work, 

 and it is obvious that there must be a certain amount of spare power for each set 

 of machinery, and, moreover, for at least some portion of the twenty-four hours 

 each plant must be at a standstill. The time has now arrived when electric 

 machinery has so far developed that one generating station may be used for all 

 purposes, the most notable instance being that of Copenhagen, Denmark. 



The author gives particulars of this installation, and also those at Rotterdam and 

 Southampton Docks and Harbour, with which he is associated, and indicates the 

 direction in which dock and harbour authorities will find the greater economy for 

 combined light and power plant. 



The paper was illustrated by diagrams and also lantern slides. 



6. Electric Canal Haulage. By A. H. Allen, A.Inst. E.E. 



Practically the whole of the goods traffic in this country, even up to the year 

 1825, was carried on canals, of which nearly 3,000 miles had been constructed, and at 

 an immense cost. In this year, lS2o — which may be considered the zenith of the pro- 

 sperity of the canal traffic industry — the Birmingham Canal yielded a revenue of 

 cent, per cent., and one of the Manchester canals paid in dividends every .second 

 year a sum equal to the total original outlay. 



Since then our once splendid canals — the heritage of the seventeenth century — 

 have, in a great measure, become useless by neglect, and constitute, in comparison 

 with the superb canal systems of Germany, France, and Belgium, a picture far from 

 creditable to ourselves. 



Unfortunately, the methods of haulage on our canals in use a hundred years 

 ago are still common ; hor.se traction is still relied upon. On some of our canals 

 steam tug-boats have been adopted with some measure of success, but there are 

 many objections to this innovation ; one is the cost of energy in effecting a given 

 tonnage haulage. 



The author maintains that by the use of electricity canal traction can be effected 

 in a way that will elevate the method of goods transport to the level of electric 

 railway traction. 



An attempt is now made to provide an economic and efficient canal haulage 

 method that can be applied without interfering with existing horse traction, or in 

 such a way that the displacement of the horse system (if desired) can be effected 

 gradually. 



The system, which is shortly to be tested on one of our great Northern canals, 

 has been submitted to the critical examination of our most eminent canal experts, 

 and it is admitted that it shows promise of satisfying the numerous and dillicult 

 conditions of canal traction. 



In the new system, which it is estimated will reduce the freight traffic on 

 canals by 60 per cent., there will not be any loss of the power which will be 

 generated in gas power electric energy generating stations, beyond the trivial one 

 involved in electric transmission. Screw propulsion involves a loss by slip effect 

 of 50 to 60 per cent., but the haulage system involves no loss. 



The following is a concise summary of the advantages that are claimed to be 

 possessed by the Canal Electric Haulage System, a scale model of which demon- 

 strates its application to a difficult section of a canal : — 



It is proposed to employ the Teslaic alternating system of electric power. 

 The system will also provide an electric capstan, and light electrically the path, 

 as well as the boats. 



3s 3 



