Utilisation of Wave Power.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 191, 12 February 1887, Page 4

Utilisation of Wave Power.

When Balboa discovered the Pacific, he stood knee-deep in the placid waters at Panama, a^d tho name given to the great ocean was appropriate to the locality. As far north as California, however, it is auiienomer, for the waves of that ocean are there large all tho pummer, owing to the prevailing strong winds, and tbe winter atorms off shore and near shore create large rollers constantly. It is now propoeed to utilise this movement of the feea along the coast. Interesting experiment? are being carried on ab the beach near San Francipco, north of the Cliff Hou.be, with that vi*w, it being the ultimate object to supply the city with some 50,000 or 00,000 horsepower for iudustriai purposes, water being used instead _of steam. The experiments are being carried out by E. T. Steen, a local engineer* The idea is to raise eea water through the medium of a pump operated by the waves, to a height of about 350 feet, whence it can be directed into tho city and the power üßed for elevators, mills, manufactories, &c. Tho apparatus used is described as exceedingly simple. A bridge has been built across a chasm into which the waves roll, and from the bridge is suspended a strong frame carrying a swinging arm or lever, tho lower end of which carries^ float or paddle immersed in the water. Tbis lever or arm has its uppar end suitably connected by rods tbat extend to a heavy crossheadL The lever is 32 feet long. The crosshead i& connected with the plunger of a pump of 12 inches diameter and 13 feet stroke. The pump ia 24 feet above low-water level. As the lower arm of the lever moves to and fro with the action of tbe wavea, it operates the pump, drawing the water from the eea, and forcing it to the reservior on the hill. The float on the submerged end of the lever is intended to ba only about 1 foot under water. It is not placed in the long rollers, but works in the water inside the first line of breakers, so that it obtains tbe force which dashes the waves against tb* rocks. The operating lever swings on the arc of a circle, and can readily be withdrawn from the water as occasion demands, th» power required to do this being furnished by a water-wheel. It is intended, provided the experiments are satisfactory, to establish a line of these pumps and levers. Other pumps of 16 or 17 feet stroke will be put up. Full stroke m seldom taken, the great length being given to provide for emergencies, so as not to break the pumps. At praeent the latter are pumping through pressure- valve and meter to determine the power. The force of tbe waves to the square foot ia very large, and those engaged in the enterpriee are of opinion that storm waves will not seriously affect the motion. The high tides are said to make no difference either. The pumpe, it may be stated, are placed horizontally.

London, January 30.— The Corporation for the City of Cork have deolined to subscribe towards the funds of the Imperial Institute, and have suggested that the Prince of Wales should be asked to contribute towards the funds being raised for th« relief of the prevailing distress |in Ireland.