Niagara's factories
René Gasnier, "Niagara Falls"
We spend the afternoon visiting the factories that draw their power from the falls. My traveling companion is an engineer who, following the inclinations of his profession, is soon indifferent to the beauty of the landscape; he is more interested in seeing the power of the machines and the transformation of the immense liquid force into electrical currents transmitting the astounding energy far and wide. Thanks to my companion, I have access to various workspaces and am able observe much more than is normally allowed for an average tourist. The walls and enormous pipes of these factories located below the falls detract somewhat from the wild beauty of the site. Because of this, the governments of the United States and Canada have just signed decrees requiring industrial buildings to be concealed as much as possible.
One large factory seemed particularly interesting to me; it is still under construction and is being fitted with the enormous dynamos we saw a few days ago in Schenectady. Twelve 14,000-horsepower turbines drive them. To reach them, one must slide down a 300-meter-long sloping cable to the riverbank; the only vehicle available is a platform suspended from four chains on which one stands. There is no other way to get down, as there are no stairs or ladders. In a few seconds, we are at the other end of the cable. I admire the skill of the fitters who handle the large parts in silence, without speaking unnecessarily. Obeying their silent gestures, the moving bridges and electric cranes come and go, carrying heavy materials which fall into place and align as if by magic.