In a recent issue of our esteemed contemporary, the "Amican Shipbuilder," an interesting suggestion is made. It is said that since many of onr large coasting schooners are fitted with pewer apparatus for hoisting cargo, sails and pumping, and frequently are supplied with dynamos for lighting the vessel, that this power might be still further utilized by applying it to one or two suitable launches, which could be used for towing the vessel in calm weather and for shifting her berth in small harbors. Having plenty of power at hand, the launch could easily be hoisted out, the motor connected to the dynamo by means of an insulated cable, and the vessel towed at three or four knots. At four knots an hour in a dead calm a vessel would make ninety-six miles per day. and in this way the cost of the equipment would soon be made up in towage fees and in the saving of time.

This is a very interesting suggestion. Although we are not familiar with the amount of power required for this work, it sounds reasonable. If the launch were equipped with batteries it would be of considerable service to the vessel when she lay in a harbor. For this purpose the battery equipment need not be large. It would probably be well to have the motor as large as the electrical equipment of the vessel would stand, for since, when towing, it would draw its power directly from the dynamo, the small battery equipment would not limit its output. The outlay required for this launch should not be large, and it would be quickly repaid. Even if the vessel were able to make only two knots, in the course of a day nearly fifty miles would be covered, and she would possibly be carried beyond the calm. The suggestion embodies another instance o2 the flexibility of electric transmission, and is one well worth trying.