Reports of the Late John Smeaton: Volume 3 - Made on Various Occasions, in the Course of his Employment as a Civil Engineer (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812 edition. Excerpt: ...by the action of the sea. We used no gravel for wrecking the work, but in what was above low water, the interstices were filled by hand, after set with small sharp rubble stones of the same kind; and it is to be further noted, that the outside blocks, after being roughly squared, were not laid upon their beds, but set with their angles upwards, so that every stone was jambed between two, set in a similar manner below. I am therefore of opinion that the method proposed will be sufficient to resist the violence of the sea, when got up to its full height, and covered with an entire platform of large blocks upon the top. In regard to the economy that may attend this mode of operation, I must observe, that in all the piers above mentioned the whole or by far the greatest part of all the stones employed were not found by the sea shore, but by necessity brought from quarries by land carriage, so that the expense upon the whole was not less than four shillings per ton; and would have been far greater, had nothing but large blocks been employed. It may therefore in some situations be better economy to make use of the stones that are there, there, if large, though rounding, and to fill all solid, than either to break them to render them angular, or fetch this kind of stones from quarries within land. It seems therefore probable that something may be done by way of easing the expense, and increasing the expedition; but the proper mode of operation depending altogether upon local circumstances, I am unable to form my opinion fully thereon without a view of the premises. I am with great respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servant, Austbup, j. SMEATON. 9th August 1781. ESTIMATE for improving and enlarging the Harbour of Scarborough, in the County of...