EUREKA! EUREKA!

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2081, 6 January 1870, Page 2

EUREKA! EUREKA!

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Eureka ! The problem is solved ! The voyage to England is a mere bagatelle ; no more rounding dangerous capes, or 16,000 mile passages—henceforth all will be calm and tranquil delight in crossing the waters of the Pacific ! What a grand idea is that propounded by Mr M'Auslan in last night’s Star! Why, air, when carried out, we in New Zealand may consider ourselves almost adjoining Europe. How fortunate it is that this gigantic intellect did not proceed to England as Emigration Agent : what a loss it would have been to the Province had that gentleman gone. I am aware, sir, that it is unusual for men of such large minds to descend to details ; so that I offer no apology for the following suggestions, which, if carried out, I feel assured will add "immensely to the success of the proposed scheme. Let a company be formed, with a nominal capital of say one hundred millions sterling—if more is needed it can be had only for the asking—l would first buy up the present Railway Company, as it would not do to expend any very large amount oil each side, and be dependent on them after all. The next step would be to dredge a channel from the present anchorage to Panama, a distance of say six miles, to an average depth of 40 feet; I think this depth would do for present wants. A saving may be effected at once in this work by employing the dredging machine at present used on our Harbor reclamation, and there will be no difficulty in towing it across. While this important part of the work is proceeding, the works at the shore ends may be carried on. I do not consider that it is absolutely necessary that a floating-dock should be constructed, as the rails may be extended into deop water; and when a ship arrives in sight, all that will be necessary to do will be to send down the cradle into deep water, arid let the vessel float gently on. The greatest engineering difficulty has now to be encountered, as the dead weight lias to be drawn up to the level of the permanent way. MrM'Auslanis quite right in fixing stationary engines, but I fear that the strain on the ropes will be' too great—not but that it may be accomplished, but accidents m'ght happen, and it would be a serious thing if the rope were to break and the vessel and cargo to go down hill by the run ; consequently I would suggest that to ea : e the strain throe or four large balloons be attached to the vessel, of such a size that, when inflated, they will be capable of lifting say 10,000 tons, or any lesser or greater weight that may be determined on; these would materially assist the stationary engine, and it will be plain sailing when once the vessel is placed on the railway. I rather think that my idea of the balloons will do away with all the f xins that would be required to steady the ship, and all that will be necessary to do then will be to so ease up the ship that she will not strain. As this is a very important point, I umhly suggest that a model of every vessel that is built fop this trado be sent to the company, and they could build the cradle in advance ; this would give employment to a multitude of carpenters. Well, Sir, this difficulty got over, the passage across is easily accomplished, and of course the same process goes on at both ends, in order (when considered necessary) to take the strain off the rails. I would suggest that a wire tramway be used, and the vessel suspended over the railway. There need be no obstacle to the immediate construction of this part of the undertaking, as a specimen may now be seen on the Reclamation Grounds. Again another object may be gained ; it is possible that by spiritedly conducting the undertaking, a strong opposition to the manufacture of European railway iron can be carried on. Let the company lay down their rails in immense blocks, and by regulating the gas in the haloons the weight can be so controlled that the blocks of iron may be rolled out to’any size, and cut off into lengths as required. In sliort, Sir, I could enlarge on the proposed scheme to any extent; but I feel that I shall be trespassing on your valuable space. —I am, &c. C. E. Dunedin, January 4th, 1870.