Utilizing the Power of Niagara.

The subject of utilizing the power of Niagara is occupying the attention of engineers in this country and abroad, and there are several plans now under consideration. In a recent issue of FIRE AND WATER was published plans and description of a company that had begun to tap the Falls on the American side of the river. Just at present a Mr. Ferranti is engaged on this problem in the interest of a company which controls the Canadian right. The work has progressed to such an extent that there is now no doubt that operations will be commenced at an early day. The accompanying cut gives an idea of the character of the enterprise. This project involves the erection upon the Canadian side of the great cataract of a plant for the development of power and its electrical distribution under high voltage to neighboring cities. The responsibility of at least he electrical portion of the enterprise is accredited to Zianit de Ferranti, whose work at Deptford was the first successful demonstration of the possibilities of transmission to a distance by means of high tension electricity. It is reported that a very htrong syndicate of capitalists has obtained a franchise from the Canadian government, and will sink a series of shafts into the bed of the river just above the Falls on the Canadian side, as indicated on the lower left-hand corner of the accompanying cut. Placed at the tops of these shafts are to be heavy iron gratings to prevent the entrance of stones and ice, and the water delivered through vertical iron flumes upon Pelton wheels connected to enormous Ferranti dynamos situated in a subterranean dynamo room, from which a horizontal flume or tail-race discharges the water from the wheels at the base of the Falls, as indicated in the central sketch. The large machinery tunnel will be extended under the bank with an entrance ashore, and the first vertical shaft sunk upon the edge of the bank, which will upon completion be cut away to admit the water. Further shafts will be sunk, as the demands for power increase, by the use of anchored caissons. Great stress is placed upon the flexibility and immediate availability of the system, which can be started into operation as soon as one vertical and one horizontal shaft are completed, and the main or machinery tunnel carried to their point of intersection; whereas, the long tunnel upon the American side, the position of which is indicated in the engraving, must be entirely completed before a wheel can be turned. It is quite probable that the work, if undertaken, will be under the personal charge of Mr. Ferranti, who, it is said, proposes to extend his operations to this country, and who has full faith in his ability to utilize Niagara Falls. Mr. Ferranti will be encouraged by American engineers in his undertaking, and will receive a hearty welcome on his arrival in this country.

The subject of utilizing the power of Niagara is occupying the attention of engineers in this country and abroad, and there are several plans now under consideration. In a recent issue of FIRE AND WATER was published plans and description of a company that had begun to tap the Falls on the American side of the river. Just at present a Mr. Ferranti is engaged on this problem in the interest of a company which controls the Canadian right. The work has progressed to such an extent that there is now no doubt that operations will be commenced at an early day. The accompanying cut gives an idea of the character of the enterprise. This project involves the erection upon the Canadian side of the great cataract of a plant for the development of power and its electrical distribution under high voltage to neighboring cities. The responsibility of at least he electrical portion of the enterprise is accredited to Zianit de Ferranti, whose work at Deptford was the first successful demonstration of the possibilities of transmission to a distance by means of high tension electricity. It is reported that a very htrong syndicate of capitalists has obtained a franchise from the Canadian government, and will sink a series of shafts into the bed of the river just above the Falls on the Canadian side, as indicated on the lower left-hand corner of the accompanying cut. Placed at the tops of these shafts are to be heavy iron gratings to prevent the entrance of stones and ice, and the water delivered through vertical iron flumes upon Pelton wheels connected to enormous Ferranti dynamos situated in a subterranean dynamo room, from which a horizontal flume or tail-race discharges the water from the wheels at the base of the Falls, as indicated in the central sketch. The large machinery tunnel will be extended under the bank with an entrance ashore, and the first vertical shaft sunk upon the edge of the bank, which will upon completion be cut away to admit the water. Further shafts will be sunk, as the demands for power increase, by the use of anchored caissons. Great stress is placed upon the flexibility and immediate availability of the system, which can be started into operation as soon as one vertical and one horizontal shaft are completed, and the main or machinery tunnel carried to their point of intersection; whereas, the long tunnel upon the American side, the position of which is indicated in the engraving, must be entirely completed before a wheel can be turned. It is quite probable that the work, if undertaken, will be under the personal charge of Mr. Ferranti, who, it is said, proposes to extend his operations to this country, and who has full faith in his ability to utilize Niagara Falls. Mr. Ferranti will be encouraged by American engineers in his undertaking, and will receive a hearty welcome on his arrival in this country.

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