CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS AT DOCKS AND QUAYS, TO FACILITATE THE IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF MERCHAN DIZE, AND ABRIDGE LABOUR
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING, I,
the said HENRY ADCOCK, of Summer Hill Terrace, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty Majesty King William the
Fourth, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date at Westminster, the Fifth day of November, in the sixth year
of His reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Henry Adcock, my
exors, admors, and assigns, His especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority that I, the said Henry Adcock, my exors, admors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said Henry Adcock, my exors, admors, and assigns,
should at any time agree with and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS AT
DOCKS AND QUAYS, TO FACILITATE THE IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF MERCHAN
DIZE, AND ABRIDGE LABOUR;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso, that I, the said Henry Adcock, shall cause a particular description of
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an Instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled
in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
immediately after the said in part récited Letters Patent, reference being
thereunto had may more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Adcock, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following description thereof, that is to say :-
My Invention of "Certain Improvements at Docks and Quays, to facilitate
the Importation and Exportation of Merchandize, and abridge Labour," consists
in the application and employment of water, through the interposition of
certain combinations of well-known mechanical contrivances herein-after to be
described, by which the flowing property of water and its impulsive and
gravitating effects may be successfully applied to the loading and unloading
of ships, brigs, schooners, and other vessels at docks and quays; also to the
conveying or transporting of merchandize along the landing places or quays,
or into the warehouses, or into the cellars, for the purpose of being weighed or
stored at such dock and quays, as circumstances may demand; or raising, at
such docks and quays, merchandize into waggons or carts that it may be carted
away; thus producing, by mechanical means, much useful effect, which
heretofore has been accomplished, at very heavy costs and charges, by manual
labour.
The manner by which I effect this may be thus stated:-Docks for the
loading and unloading of ships, brigs, schooners, and other vessels, are usually
placed on the sea shore, or near unto rivers influenced by the tides of the sea.
During high water, or when the tides are at or near to the full, the lock gates
of the docks are opened to admit of the ingress and egress of vessels, and
before the tides have ebbed to any considerable extent the lock gates are again
shut to retain the waters within the docks at nearly the high-water level.. The
tides in the sea or river still continuing to ebb, there is, in the course of two or
three hours, a very great difference of level between the surface of the waters in
the docks and the surface of the waters in the tidal stream, and this difference of
level gradually increases as the tides ebb away, and decreases when the tides
having reached their lowest range again begin to flow, until eventually the
difference of level again becomes such as to debar the use of the waters of the
docks for the purposes herein-after stated. Of this difference of level, when
sufficient for the purpose and under circumstances herein-after to be detailed,
I avail myself in carrying my aforesaid Invention into effect.
A wheel race watercourse or trench is to be made, extending from the
waters of the docks at any place that may be found convenient, to the waters
of the tidal stream; and at that end of the trench contiguous to the waters of
the docks, a sluice gate or shuttle is to be put down in the usuall manner,
furnished with the usual contrivances for raising or lowering it, as circum-

page_text: stances may demand (all which are well understood and in common use for
other purposes). A water-wheel supported on its axis must then be adapted
to such wheel race or trench in the usual manner, so that by the raising or
lowering of the sluice gate or shuttle, according to whether it be a rising or
sinking gate, a quantity of water may flow from the docks upon the buckets
or floats of such water-wheel during certain states of the tide, when the
difference of level between the surfaces of the waters in the docks and in the
tidal stream is such, that the impulsive and gravitating effects of the waters
flowing from such docks upon such water-wheel conjointly are sufficient to
produce a proper rotatory action in such water-wheel.
This water-wheel is to be connected with, and impart motion to, a series of
pumps, bucket wheels, archimedes' screws; or other contrivances commonly
applied to the raising of water or buckets, are to be arranged about its own
periphery in the usual manner of the bucket wheel, so that by the rotation of
such water-wheel, a quantity of water may be raised by any of such con-
trivances from the docks or tidal stream, and discharged into a general tank or
reservoir placed about twenty feet, more or less, higher than the present cause-
way of the docks.
The water thus raised into the general tank or reservoir is to be allowed to
flow thence through a series of pipes, made of cast iron or other material, into
certain minor tanks arranged at equidistances, or about a hundred and thirty
feet apart, more or less, along or upon the sheds or covered ways of the docks,
or at such places as otherwise may be deemed proper; the distances of such
tanks apart being determined by the lengths of the ships, brigs, schooners, or
other vessels that usually take in or discharge their cargoes at the quays or
landing places of such sheds or covered ways of the docks, or at such other
distances apart, equidistant or otherwise, that circumstances may point out as
more adapted to the purpose. The pipes which convey the waters from the
general tank or reservoir to the minor tanks aforesaid, are to consist of a main
pipe or pipes extending the length of the quays or landing places of the docks,
or to the most distant of the minor tanks aforesaid, or to the remotest ware-
house or place where the delivery of water from each pipes may or shall be
required; and such main pipe or pipes, made of cast iron or other material, are
to be arranged beneath the eaves of the sheds or covered ways of the docks,
and be supported on columns of cast iron or other material, and from such main
pipe or pipes other pipes of smaller diameter are to branch forth to the several
minor tanks respectively, furnished with valves, stop-cocks, or bull-cocks, of the
usual kinds to regulate the admission of water into such minor tanks aforesaid,
or to exclude it when required. But although I prefer thus, to arrange the

page_text: main pipe or pipes beneath the eaves of the sheds or covered ways of the docks,
I wish it to be distinctly understood that I give this preference as a consequence
of my preferring at the same time to place the minor tanks, as well for con-
venience as for the saving of expenses, upon such sheds or covered ways,
reserving therefore to myself the right of placing such main pipe or pipes
beneath the surface of the ground, or along any other line, or in any other
direction that may appear more convenient, so that such main pipe or pipes
extend the entire length of the quays or landing places of the docks, or to the
minor tank that is most distant from the general tank or reservoir, or to the
remotest warehouse or place where. such main pipe or pipes may be found to
be essentially necessary, as herein-before described.
The waters conveyed from the general tank or reservoir into the minor tanks
aforesaid are to be allowed to flow thence through sluice gates or shuttles,
raised or lowered by long arms or levers at the will of the attendant. workman
on certain overshot water-wheels placed beneath such minor tanks, and con-
sequently. beneath the sheds or covered ways of the docks, so that such water-
wheels by such discharge of water upon them may by their rotation impart a
rotatory motion to certain drums or cones, on which are to be fastened chains,
which passing over pulleys in the usual manner of cranes shall raise mer-
chandize from ships, brigs, schooners, and other vessels by such rotation to the
quays or landing places of the dock, and vice versa, or from the quays or
landing places to the scales where it is to be weighted, and vice versa, or from
the scales to a series of horizontal or slightly inclined planes made of cast iron
or other material on which it is to be moved to any particular place to be
stored, and vice versa, in the manner herein-after described.
Beneath each of the minor tanks aforesaid, or beneath the sheds or covered
ways contiguous to such tanks, there are to be of such overshot water-wheels
two, the one to be applied to the conveying of merchandize from ships, brigs,
schooners, and other vessels, to the quay or landing place, or to the scales, and
vice versa, the other from the scales to a series of horizontal or slightly inclined
planes, and vice versa, as herein-after described, and both wheels may occa-
sionally be applied to other purposes. At docks, & quays, also where there-are
warehouses, other such overshot water-wheels may be connected with such
minor tanks, and receive water from them (one water-wheel to each tank), so
that merchandise may be raised by their rotation, and by the rotation of drums
or cones in the manner aforesaid into any required floor or story of the ware-
house to which such water-wheel is applied; such water-wheel therefore may
be placed either outside or inside the warehouse, or in any place that may be
found.convenient.

page_text: The drums or cones to which such chains shall be fastened in the manner
of cranes, as aforesaid, are to be on the axes of the said overshot water-wheels,
or on separate and independent axes impelled by such water-wheels through
the intervention of toothed wheels or other appropriate geering; and further,
the drums or cones aforesaid, whether on the same axes as the water-wheels, or
on separate and independent axes, are to have contrivances for throwing in and
out of geer in the usual manner of cranes and other hoisting tackle, as is well
understood, so that each of the drums or cones aforesaid being put into geer
when the water-wheel with which it is in connection is rotating shall also
rotate, and by that incans wind up a sufficient quantity of such chain as shall
raise the merchandize to the required height; and such drums or cones being
then put out of geer, and consequently acted upon by the weight of mer-
chandizo suspended from the end of the chain, shall rotate in the opposite
direction, and thereby unwind the chain from such drum or cone, and thus
cause the merchandize to descend to the place where it is to be weighed or
stored; the speed of the descent being regulated by a brake, friction strap, or
other well-known contrivance adapted to the end.
The cranes used in connection with such overshot water-wheels, drums, or
cones, &c., as aforesaid, when applied to the loading and unloading of ships,
brigs, schooners, or other vessels, may be moveable on pivots, as are the cranes
usually employed at docks and quays, or immoveable, as are some kinds of
horizontal cranes used in workshops; and that such cranes respectively instead
of having the kind of jib that is common to the cranes employed at docks and
quays, I prefer to have (at the top thereof, or at the top of the vertical post or
posts, iron columns or columns, or other contrivances by which such overshot
water-wheel and its attached drum or cone is to be supported,) two beams of
wood or other material arranged parallel with each other, about six inches
more or less apart, and extending from such vertical post or posts, &c. to rather
beyond the distance of the main hatchway of the vessels that usually load or
unload their cargoes at such sheds or covered ways, or quays, or landing places;
and the two beams aforesaid, well supported from beneath, are to be made on
their upper surfaces horizontal or slightly inclining towards the vessel to be
loaded or unloaded by it, so as to form horizontal or slightly inclined planes,
on which a carriage with wheels may be made to move in the manner herein-
after described; and that such carriage, when moving along such horizontal' or
slightly inclined planes, may be kept in its path, the two beams aforesaid;
parallel with each other, must, on the sides furthest from each other, have
checks of iron or other material, extending throughout their lengths and also
extending above the horizontal or slightly inclined planes a sufficient height to

page_text: prevent such carriage from moving out of the path assigned to it; and that
such horizontal or slightly inclined planes may be durable, I intend, when the
beams are of wood, to line the upper surfaces with iron, or otherwise to put
down rectangular bars or rails of iron on such beams; the one side of the
rectangle forming the pathway of the carriage, the other the cheek or side
piece to keep it in its path, or otherwise the rails may be made to extend
above the beams, and the wheels of the carriage be kept in their parts by
flanges, in the manner common to railways and the carriages which move on
them. The carriage aforesaid on the top thereof, and on proper axes and bear-
ings, support a pulley or friction wheel, over which pulley or friction wheel shall
be made to move the chain aforesaid, which at one end is to be fastened to the
drum or cone, and to the other end thereof a hook, in the usual manner of a
crane, is to be fastened to raise the merchandize to the required height; and
when such merchandize is at the required height, then such pulley or friction
wheel, by the rotation of the drum or cone in the opposite direction, shall lower
such merchandize to the scales, or to the place where it is to be stored; such
pulley or friction wheel, therefore, must be of such diameter and so arranged
on the carriage that the chain shall descend from it freely in the line of
direction of its gravity unobstructed by the carriage. Such carriage has in
connection with it a self-acting engaging and disengaging apparatus, by which
so long as the merchandize is in the act of being raised from the ships, brigs,
schooners, or other vessels, the carriage shall be kept stationary at the end of
the horizontal or slightly inclined planes near to the vessel then in the act of
being loaded or unloaded by it, and that when the merchandize has been raised
to the required height, the apparatus by being disengaged in the manner
herein-after shewn shall allow such carriage, and consequently the pulley or
friction wheel upon it, to move along such horizontal or slightly inclined planes
until the merchandize is in a vertical line with the scales into which it is to be
lowered to be weighed; when there, the apparatus shall again become engaged,
and the merchandize be lowered into the scales by releasing the drum or cone
on which the chain is wound, as aforesaid, from its connection with the
overshot water-wheel, and by regulating the motion or time of descent by a
brake, friction strap, or other contrivance adapted to the purpose.
The carriage, with the self-acting engaging and and disengaging apparatus,
is delineated in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
Fig. 1, a side view; Fig. 2, a top view; and Fig. 3, an end view of the
same; and the same letters in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 bear reference to the same
parts.
a, a part of the two horizontal or slightly inclined beams of wood, which

page_text: form the jib of the crane; b, b, rectangular bars of iron, placed on the top of
such beams to form the rail or tram road in which the carriage is to move,
one part of the rectangular bar of iron on each beam forming the rib or cheek
by which the wheels of the carriage are to be kept in their paths; c, c, the body
or side cheeks of the carriage, made of iron or other material; 'd, d, the wheels
of the carriage, made of cast iron, and secured on their axes in the usual
manner, so that they can revolve freely upon them; f. f, the pulley or friction
wheel, having leaves or teeth upon it marked z, over which the chain passes,
by which the merchandize is to be raised or lowered; g, g, the axes of such
pulley cr friction wheel, supported on their bearings in the usual manner;
h, h, a latch, movable on its fulcrum o, having a piece of iron projecting from
it in the downward direction to act as a catch to keep the carriage stationary
when the merchandize is being raised or lowered, and having a roller or wheel
at the bottom of it, so that when raised from the notch and the carriage is in
motion, it shall move along the plane with less friction. There is one of these
latches to each horizontal or slightly inclined plane; the width of each plane
is three inches and a half, the width of the notch for the reception of the catch
of the latch an inch and a half, and the notch on each plane, as shewn in
Fig. 2 or top view, is on the sides of the planes nearest to each other. Of
these notches there are two in each horizontal or slightly inclined plane, one
near that end of the plane where the vessel is to be loaded or unloaded, the
other on that part of the plane which is above the scales. The two latches
are united by cross pieces marked m, m, and n, as seen in Fig. 2, and on the
cross piece marked n, Fig. 2. A detent p projects, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,
to act as a ratch against one of the bolts x, x, and thereby prevent the pulley
or friction wheel f, f, from rotating while the carriage moves along the
planes 6, b. For it will be seen by the Drawings that the detent is not in geer, or
acting against the bolts when the latch is down, that is, when the merchandize
is in the act of being raised or lowered at either end of the horizontal or
slightly inclined planes, and as a consequence it will be perceived that the
detent is in geer when the latch is removed from the notch, and thereby it
prevents the rotation of the pulley ff, while the carriages move along the
planes. The detent p moves on a fulcrum or centre when struck in a contrary
direction by the bolts x, x, and is brought back to its place by its own weight,
as shewn at p¹, Fig. 1.
!
But in this arrangement it is necessary to remark that leaves or teeth,
as shewn in the Drawings. Figs. 1 and 3, marked 2, or other contrivances
readily available in practice, are required to prevent the chain from descending
during the movement of the carriage with its load, and further, that the catch.

page_text: of the latch is raised from the notch at the proper time by a piece of iron k,
Fig. 1, connected with one of the links of the chain near the hook by which
the merchandise is suspended. The chain, in its ascent, therefore brings this
piece of iron or other material against the cross pieces m, m, and by such
action the catches of the latches are released from the notches in the planes.
Hence it is obvious, by an examination of the contrivans herein described,
that the water-wheel and drum, or cone, by their rotations wind up the chain
and merchandize suspended to its hook until such time as the piece of iron on
the chain maked k, Fig. 1, comes in contact with the cross pieces m, m,
Fig. 2, of the latch and raises it. By this means the upper sides of the latch
are brought against the under sides of the cheeks of the carriage, and the
chain prevented from ascending any higher; and at the same time as tho
catches of the latches are released from the notches, and the water-wheel and
drum or cone continue their rotations, the carriage has a tendency to move
along the planes towards the scales; but the power required to move the
carriage along the planes is less than that which is necessary to support the
weight of the merchandize; consequently the carriage will run from beneath
the chain, and allow the merchandize to descend, although not to the place from
which it has been raised. To prevent this it is necessary to support the chain,
and this is effected by the leaves or teeth z on the periphery of the pulley;
for the carriage beginning to move along the planes, the merchandize
descends until the links of the chain fall against the leaves or teeth aforesaid,
when the carriage is drawn forward in the manner before stated. As such
horizontal or slightly inclined planes on the parallel beams of wood must,
from the lengths thereof, be furnished with friction rollers for supporting
the rope or chain in its passage, and as during the movement of such carriage
along the planes such friction rollers must be moved out of its path, in order
that the chain which suspends the merchandize may move between such
parallel beams and suspend the merchandize below; a vertical axis or
spindle q, q, is applied, see Figs. 1 and 2, on proper bearings outside the
cheek of one of such planes, and have upon it below the level of the rail or
tramroad a toothed quadrant y, y, also a plain quadrant 1, 1, to come in contact
with the projecting pieces e, e, and thereby prevent the toothed quadrant on
its spindle from making more than a fourth of a revolution. To effect this
movement of the spindle and its quadrant, the teeth of the quadrant must be
acted upon by a rack attached to the carriage. The rack is seen at s, in
Figs. 1 and 2.
From the vertical axis of the quadrant, at a height regulated by the pulley
or friction wheel f, f. Figs. 1 and 2, must proceed a friction roller v, Figs. 1

page_text: and 2, at right angles with such vertical axis, and consequently in a horizontal
direction, and such friction roller must revolve freely on its axis. By this
arrangement, the required movement of the friction rollers will be produced;
for the friction rollers being arranged in the transverse direction or across
the beams, as shewn at g', g', Fig. 2, the chain upon them and the carriage
held by the latch at the ends of the beams nearest to the vessels, such friction
rollers will be moved from the path of the wheels of the carriage thus, that
is to say, the piece of iron marked on the chain to which the merchandize
is suspended coming in contact with the cross pieces m, m, of the latch h, h;
raises it up and releases the carriage; the carriage, therefore, by the continued
rotation of the overshot water-wheel and its attached drum or cone, moves
along the slightly inclined planes, as herein-before described, and in its
progress the teeth of the rack play into and engage with the teeth of the
several quadrants, so that, by turning the vertical axis of each quadrant the
fourth of a revolution, the friction rollers are moved out of the path, and left
exactly at right angles to the position they before were in; and again, on the
return of such carriage the rack aforesaid coming in contact, playing into, and
engaging with such quadrants respectively, returns each friction roller suc
cessively to the place formerly occupied by it, and as each friction roller is
brought into its place immediately on the passage of such carriage, it is so
timed that it receives the chain directly from the pulley or friction wheel of
such carriage. As in many docks and quays the scales are placed beneatli
the sheds or covered ways, should it be found advisable still to continue them
in the same places, or nearly so, then, as a consequence thereof, a provision
must be made for conveying the merchandizė just below such slightly inclined
plane to such scales aforesaid by cutting away the roofing of such sheds or
covered ways to the extent required for the purpose, that the merchandize
may be conveyed along such planes to the scales in an unobstructed manner.
When the merchandize is weighed it may be raised from the scales to the
required height by an overshot water-wheel and drum or cone, as herein-
before described, that it may be suspended from a hook at the end of a chain
or rope wound about a drum or barrel, and on which drum or barrel is
fastened the other end of the chain or rope aforesaid. The rope or chain
being thus fastened at one end to the drum or barrel, is wound about it until
the hook from which the merchandize is to be suspended, as aforesaid, shall
hang from such drum or barrel but a few inches. The merchandize is then
suspended, from it, as before described, and its descent is prevented by a
brake, friction strap, or other contrivance, controulled by the attendant or
workman, and who, when the merchandize has arrived at the place where it

page_text: is to be stored, regulates the descent in a proper manner by such contrivance
or contrivances. The merchandize when thus suspended may be taken, to any
required place beneath such sheds or covered ways of the docks to be stored,
by means of a carriage on which the drum or barrel aforesaid is to be sup-
ported; and further, that the said carriage may move along a series of
horizontal or slightly inclined planes, railroads, or tramroads constructed upon
proper supports immediately beneath the roofs of such sheds or covered ways.
And in order to such horizontal or slightly inclined planes, tramroads, or rail-
roads being efficient, and well adapted to the purpose, make three rows of
them, one being placed or arranged down the middle of such sheds or covered
ways, and one on each side of the same and parallel with it in the longitudinal
direction, or lengthwise with them.
The horizontal or slightly inclined planes, tramroads, or railroads thus
described as extending throughout the lengths of the sheds or covered ways of
the docks, shall, by means of curved rails at the ends nearest to the scales, and
also at such distances therefrom as circumstances may point out as advisable,
be arranged in such manner that the carriages aforesaid when loaded with
merchandize, and according to the place where such merchandize is to be
stored; shall be made to proceed down one of the side rows or paths of the
horizontal or slightly inclined planes aforesaid, and having deposited its load,
thence along the curved junction, and thence down the other side row or path
back to the scales to receive another load; or, the load having to be stored
either in the middle division or the other side division; then under such cir-
cumstances, the carriage must be made to move down such middle row or
path, thence having deposited its load along the curved junction rail next in
succession, and thence return back to the scales down the side row or path
before described, or proceeding down such middle row or path and along the
curved junction rail next in succession, it may thence return back to the
scales, depositing its load beneath such side row or path prior to its return to
the scales.
From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I prefer planes, tram-
roads, or railroads, slightly inclined in the direction the load is to be moved to
horizontal planes, inasmuch as the inclination or dip of such planes will cause
the carriage to move along the inclined planes simply by its gravity, deposit-
ing in its path the merchandize at the required place, at the will of the
workman or attendant, and then by continuing in the line of direction gravitate
towards the scales, as herein-before described, for another load, care being
taken in constructing such planes that they do not incline more than sufficient
to enable the load to travel by its own gravity without attaining a velocity

page_text: which may not be easily governed. And I intend, as has already been inti-
mated, to raise the merchandize into the warehouses at docks and quays by
another small overshot water-wheel and drum or cone, similar in construction
and action to those herein-before described, and not by manual labour, through
the interposition of cranes and foot wheels, as hitherto has been the practice;
and that the water-wheel and drum or cone to be employed for this purpose
shall receive a supply of water from any of the minor tanks aforesaid through
pipes, or if more convenient from a separate and independent tank receiving
the supply of water from the general tank or reservoir before described; and
the discharge of water upon such water-wheel must be regulated in the usual
manner and as herein-before expressed, whether the supply be from tanks or
pipes.
It is almost unnecessary to state that the water, when it has worked any
of the overshot water-wheels herein described, must be conducted through
trenches, and thence again returned to the waters of the docks or into the tidal
stream, or be discharged into any place where they will flow freely away. I
would remark, that in such warehouses and immediately beneath the floors
thereof, inclined planes are to be put down for the conveyance of the merchan-
dize to any required place, by suspending it from a carriage with a drum or
cone and rope suspended from such drum or cone, and the descent of such
merchandize be regulated by a brake, friction strap, or other contrivance
adapted to the purpose, in all respects similar to the inclined planes, carriage
with drum or cone, and chain or rope, and brake, herein-before described for the
sheds or covered ways. Further, that such contrivances shall be employed in
every story of such warehouses and in the cellars; in short, in all those
places, so far as docks and quays are concerned, where these contrivances can
be beneficially introduced to economize human or other labour and its
consequent expenses; and when it is found convenient so to do, to convey
the merchandize, when raised to the height of the sheds or covered ways before
described, to the warehouses, by means of railroads or tramroads, either
horizontal or inclined, supported on columns of cast iron or other material
similar to those to be placed beneath the sheds or covered ways as aforesaid;
or such merchandize may be conveyed direct from the scales along the present
pavement, or along railroads or tramroads.
In carrying my aforesaid Invention into effect at docks and quays where the
same can be beneficially applied, I also avail myself of the difference of level
between the surface of the docks and that in the tidal stream, in the following
manner, that is to say :--I make or cause to be made a culvert or drain four

page_text: feet, more or less, below the surface of the waters in such docks at the lowest
know high-water level; such culvert or drain is made to extend throughout
the lengths of such docks or quays respectively, in a line of direction parallel
with the sheds or covered ways of the docks or quays, and as it is so much
beneath the surface of the ground, such culvert or drain is arched over, and
that part of the trench or cutting above the culvert or drain is again filled up
with earth, and paved in the usual manner, so as to bring its surface equal to
the general surface of such docks or quays.
Into this culvert or drain aforesaid I cause to be discharged, at the will of
the attendant workman, water from the aforesaid docks through a series
of trenches extending from such docks to said culvert or drain, and con-
sequently at right angles with it, such trenches being regulated as to depth by
the depth of the culvert or drain. To the trenches thus described I adapt
water-wheels (either breast or undershot), and sluice gates or shuttles in the
usual manner of such contrivances, that water may be discharged on such
water-wheels at any required time to produce a rotatory motion in them, and
by that means through the interposition of drums or cones either on the same
axes as such water-wheels, or on separate and independent axes (as herein-
before described in regard to overshot water-wheels), and also by the inter-
position of such other similar contrivances as for such overshot water-wheels
have been herein described-raise merchandize from ships, brigs, schooners, and
other vessels to the quays or landing places of the docks, and vice versa, or
from the quays or landing places to the scales, and vice versa, or from the scales
to the horizontal or inclined planes beneath the sheds or covered ways, and
vice versa, or from the floors of the warehouses or cellars, or from the ground to
a series of horizontal or inclined planes in the different floors of such ware-
houses or cellars, and vice versa, as have been herein-before described in regard
to overshot water-wheels.
The water thus discharged through the trenches upon the water-wheels
aforesaid flows thence into the drain or culvert, and thence into the tidal stream
so long as there is enough difference of level to work such water-wheels within
the trenches. But when the difference of level is insufficient for such purpose,
a sluice gate, shuttle, or other .contrivance is made to close the end of such
culvert to prevent the tide from flowing into it, and another sluice gate, shuttle,
or other contrivance is made to open a communication with a reservoir con-
structed for the purpose, that the waters from such culvert or drain may be
discharged therein until the difference of level can be again applied; such
reservoir, therefore, must be of the proper depth and dimensions to receive and

page_text: contain such waters, and the waters thus received must be discharged into the
tidal stream when the difference of level is sufficient for that purpose.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim
as my Invention any part of the said combinations and contrivances in a
separate condition, nor in a state of combination when not used to effect the
object of my Invention; nor do I confine myself to the precise arrangement
and disposition of the contrivances and combinations herein described; but
avail myself of such other combinations and contrivances as are in mechanics
equivalent thereto; nor do I confine myself to the obtaining of the water
from the power obtained from the difference of level between the surfaces of
the waters in the docks and tidal stream, as herein described, but such water
may be obtained when convenient by conveying a stream of water to the tank
or tanks, or it may be obtained from any of the incorporated water companies,
or from any other source or sources adapted to the end.
But I do hereby declare that my Invention of certain improvements at
docks and quays to facilitate the importation and exportation of merchandize,
and abridge labour, consists in combining the various mechanical apparatus
and means, and actuating the same as herein described by water power when
they are combined and applied to facilitate the importation and exportation of
merchandize at docks and quays, and thus abridge manual labour.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Adcock, do hereby set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hundred and thirty civ