Likewise in mountainous districts with rock soil it would be an important consideration whether a canal had to be blasted out of the solid rock or a tunnel cut, in dimensions suitable for a vessel of 6 or of 14 square meters section below the water line.

In this case, even in certain portions of a main canal—­where rendered desirable by the rocky nature of the ground—­a smaller section might be adopted, which would only be large enough for single semi-barges, so that the duplex vessel would in these instances have to be taken apart in the same way as in a branch canal.

The saving to be effected by constructing a canal on this principle, as compared with a canal of one uniform section throughout, must be considerable, and the advantages of the arrangement are apparent.

The appended figures will further illustrate the arrangement.  Fig. 1 shows two separate semi-barges ready to pursue their journey independently.  Fig. 2 shows two semi-barges coupled together ready to be “folded up” by means of ropes and specially constructed windlasses—­their lateral water compartments having previously been filled.  Fig. 3 shows the duplex vessel after the “folding up” operation just described; and Figs. 4 and 5 show the cross section of two loaded semi-barges as outlined in Figs. 2 and 3.

These Figs. 4 and 5 will also serve to illustrate the manner in which sacks and loose produce should be loaded.  Fig. 4 also shows the filled water compartments, and the effect of their weight in making the boats lean toward each other.

The materials most suited for this new style of vessel will be iron and steel such as generally used in the construction of canal and river vessels.

The new ship can be moved by any motor or driving implement, nor could there technically a great difficulty be found for making the boilers move on a quadrant-like rail base in the shape of a circle segment’s quarter, or for building a double screw steamer by combining two single screw propellers.

May be a ship owner is willing to submit the innovations to an attempt, so much the more as there is running no great risk by doing so; for in case the ships should not answer the expectations, both separable as well as joinable, they can be used like single ships, without any further alteration being made, except as to the loading gaps.

The above invention is covered by United States patent No. 435,107.  Any further information may be had by addressing M. v.  Szabel, ix Bezirk, Beethovengasse 10, Wien, Austria.

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WELDON’S RANGE FINDER.