The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-03

The destructive work of the teredo in
San Francisco and other harbJrs Of the
Pacific Coast - so well-k1OSn hat II
need not De commented IpDn. Suffice
it to say. that the average life OF a pile,
IN mary localities, 80 far as usefulness is
concerned. does not average over two
yeats. Science. united with mech inical
skill and ingenuity. has been at work for
years rIon the problem OF how 10 con-
struct a pile which would circumvent the
penetrating and tireless mOllusk. ard be
indestructible or at least have its period
of usefulness considerably augmented
Iost OF the methods adopted have proved
failures. or been Of too expensive char
act r. TO warrant their adoption.
TIE puzZling problem has, however. at
last been solved II we may judge by the
practical results obtained. by the Teredo-
proof Pile Company This was done by
careful investigation Of the habits Of the
- which does the mischief. IL was
found that the teredo, in It's boring, Will
not cross. in any wood, seam or Joint.
but coaanes its work 10 the first or outer
layer Of wood. and having performed H.
work OF destruction here, dies from want
OF space to enlarge.
Acting upon tins knowledge. Mr.. II. b.
Markle. the inventor OF this pile, went
about its construction In a way which
would give the teredo only comparative
ly thin outer surface 10 work upon.
The teredo-prOof pile which resulted. IS
built up upon a central square timber
which is coated with preservative com
pound formed of coal tar, asphaltum'
creosote. or any suitable substance which
will preserve the wood from decay. strip
are then securely fastened 10 this CEN
trail core. at right-angles with each other.
a.. ta tIlr
has been reached. The object OF this
method Of pile building will readily be
seen. As the toredO will not cross seam
or channel in the wood his boring Is
confined TO the outside layer or tire or
strips Practical tests have proved that
the theory upon which these piles are
constructed il correct and that they are
teredo-proof, and will last indefinitely.
AT section OF the seawall in this city
a number of these piles were driven seven
years ago. which are to-day as sound
in all respects. except I'm their outside
coating. as when they were put down,
while at this point the life of an UNI
protected pile did not exceed two years
! So well satisfied have the company be-
come OF the indestructible character OF
these piles that they are prepared u
guarantee them for a period of fifteen
| years.
In other respects, as well, this pile Is
superior 10 those heretofore generally III
use. being the same size throughout and
stronger than the ordinary pile. and
when its longevity is taken into consider
alton, is also the cheapest
The company are inreceipt OF letters
testifying TO the teredo-proof qualities oil
| these piles. from Howard {. Holmes
| Chief Engineer OF the Board of State Ha
| t,or commissioners the Union Lumber
| COMPANY. who used them at their wharf
J i'm Mendocino county. and Others. The
officers OF the French,prop. Pile Company
are j. 5. kimball, president. J. H. Bul
lock. secretary and treasurer Tho office
| of the company is at % Market street
San Francisco.-San Francisco Journal o
| Commerce.