IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING BREAKWATERS, PIERS, QUAYS, SEA WALLS, AND THE SUBMARINE WORKS OF FORTIFICATIONS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Miller, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING BREAKWATERS, PIERS, QUAYS, SEA WALLS, AND
THE SUBMARINE WORKS OF FORTIFICATIONS."
Sealed the 15th March 1861, and dated the 18th September 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Miller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th September 1860.
I, DANIEL MILLER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING BREAKWATERS, PIERS, QUAYS, SEA
WALLS, AND THE SUBMARINE WORKS OF FORTIFICATIONS," to be as follows, that
is to say-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of breakwaters,
piers, quays, sea walls, the submarine works of fortifications, and other
generally similar structures, particularly where these works are to be made in
deep water.
One mode of operation has for its object the construction of these works
without the necessity of forming coffer dams, to enable the work to be built on

page_text: dry ground, or to employ diving apparatus for the purpose of laying the stones
under water. The way in which this is effected is by putting down guide
piles, frames, or standards, either of iron, wood, or other suitable material in
the line of the face of the wall or other structure which is to be built, at such
distances apart as may be suitable. On these piles, standards, or guides,
blocks of stone to form the face of the structure, having holes, grooves, or
projections corresponding with the size and shape of the piles or standards
bored through them or formed on them are threaded over or run down in
succession; thus forming a facing or encasement of stone any distance under
or above water, as may be required, which facing may be backed up with
concrete or other suitable material enclosed at the back by piling, or otherwise,
so as to form a solid structure. Means are taken by guide plates, or other-
wise, to ensure the accuracy of the positions of the piles or standards, so as to
enable all the stones to be prepared of the proper size previously to being
lowered into their places. The piles or standards may be tied across or framed
so as to add to the strength of the structure.
Another mode of constructing these works is by building them in sections in
a caisson or box forming a kind of coffer dam, the sides of which are formed
of a number of distinct frames or divisions. These frames or divisions are so
combined as to be easily removeable after a section of the work has been
completed within it, and then put together again, and by thus reforming the
caisson to enable another section of the work to be built within it. The
caisson may be built on a slip, or in a dock, or in such other way as may be
most convenient. The bottom of the caisson is formed of a strong platform or
floor of timber, having a framework of beams surrounding it. The sides of
the caisson are formed of a series of distinct frames or divisions covered with
planking, and caulked. These are set up on the platform forming the bottom,
and are bolted down to the beams of the platform, the joinings being caulked,
they are also bolted to each other and caulked, so that when all the parts are
put together a water-tight caisson is formed. The connecting bolts or
fastenings are made to be unscrewed, unkeyed, or otherwise unfastened, so
as to allow of the whole structure being easily taken asunder. Struts and
braces, which are also made to be easily removeable, connect and stiffen the
sides. A number of tubes or wells for the purpose of allowing concrete or
other packing to be passed through the bottom are fixed to the floor, and rise
to above the high-water mark. The caisson having been fitted together is
floated to where the work is to be constructed, and sunk in the proper
position. Concrete or other packing is put down through the wells or tubes,

page_text: so as to form a solid foundation under the fluor. The water is then pumped
out of the caisson, and the masonry of the structure commenced to be built on
the floor or bottom. When the masonry of this section of the work is
completed so far as to allow of the removal of the caisson, the different
bolts which connect the sides to the bottom, and the frames forming the sides
to each other are unfastened, when the whole of the sides fall into the separate
pieces, and the different frames are taken away to be again put together to
form the caisson for building another section of the work. The bottom of the
caisson remains, forming the platform upon which the masonry is founded.
The different sections of breakwater, quay, or other structure built in the
caisson are joined together after the caissons have been removed, by sliding
down blocks of stone in grooves previously formed at the ends, so as to form
a solid facing, which may be backed up by concrete or other material. In
this way continuous pier, breakwater, quay, wall, or other structure of any
length may be formed by one of those caissons or moveable coffer dams, but
more of them may be employed, if found necessary.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Daniel Miller in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th March 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DANIEL
MILLER, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Daniel Miller, Her special license that I, the said Daniel Miller,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Daniel Miller, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MODE OF CONSTRUCTING BREAKWATERS, PIERS, QUAYS, SEA WALLS, AND THE
SUBMARINE WORKS OF FORTIFICATIONS," upon the condition (amongst others) that

page_text: I, the said Daniel Miller, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Daniel Miller, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:--
My said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of break-
waters, piers, quays, sea walls, the submarine works of fortifications, and other
generally similar structures, particularly where these works are to be made in
deep water.
One mode of operation has for its object the construction of these works
without the necessity of forming coffer dams, to enable the work to be built on
dry ground, or to employ diving apparatus for the purpose of laying the stones
under water. The way in which this is effected is by putting down guide
piles, frames, or standards, either of iron, wood, or other suitable material in
the line of the face of the wall or other structure which is to be built, at such
distances apart as may be suitable. On these piles, standards, or guides,
blocks of stone to form the face of the structure having holes, grooves, or
projections corresponding with the size and shape of the piles or standards
bored through them or formed on them, are threaded over or run down in
succession, thus forming a facing or encasement of stone any distance under
or above water, as may be required, which facing may be backed up with
concrete or other suitable material, enclosed at the back by piling, or other-
wise, so as to form a solid structure. Means are taken by guide plates, or
otherwise, to ensure the accuracy of the positions of the piles or standards, so
as to enable all the stones to be prepared of the proper sizes previously to
being lowered into their places. The piles or standards may be tied across or
framed so as to add to the strength of the structure.
Another mode of constructing these works is by building them in sections
in a caisson or box framing a kind of coffer dam, the sides of which are
formed of a number of distinct frames or divisions. These frames or divisions
are constructed so as to be easily removeable after a section of the work has
been completed within it, and then put together again, and by thus reforming

page_text: the caisson to enable another section of the work to be built within it. The
caisson may be built on a slip, or in a dock, or in such other way as may be
most convenient. The bottom of the caisson is formed of a strong platform or
floor of timber, having a framework of beams sorrounding it. The sides of
the caisson are formed of a series of distinct frames or divisions covered with
planking, and caulked. These are set up on the platform forming the bottom,
and are bolted down to the beams of the platform, the joinings being caulked.
They are also bolted to each other and caulked, so that when all the parts are
put together a water-tight caisson is formed. The connecting bolts or
fastenings are made to be uncrewed, unkeyed, or otherwise unfastened, so
as to allow of the whole structure being easily taken asunder. Struts and
braces, which are also made to be easily removeable, connect and stiffen the
sides. A number of tubes or wells for the purpose of allowing concrete or
other packing to be passed through the bottom are fixed to the floor, and rise to
above the high-water mark. The caisson having been fitted together is floated-
to where the work is to be constructed, and sunk in the proper position.
Concrete or other packing is put down through the wells or tubes so as to
form a solid foundation under the floor. The water is then pumped out of
the caisson, and the masonry of the structure commenced to be built on the
floor or bottom. When the masonry of this section of the work is completed.
so far as to allow of the removal of the caisson, the different bolts which
connect the sides to the bottom, and the frames forming the sides to each
other are unfastened, when the whole of the sides fall with the separate pieces,
and the different frames are taken away to be again put together to form the
caisson for building another section of the work. The bottom of the caisson.
remains, forming the platform upon which the masonry is founded. The
different sections of breakwater, quay, or other structure built in the caisson.
are joined together after the caissons have been removed by sliding down
blocks of stone in grooves previously formed at the ends, so as to form a solid
In this way
facing, which may be backed up by concrete or other material.
a continuous pier, breakwater, quay, wall, or other structure of any length
may be formed by one of those caissons or moveable coffer dams, but more of
them may be employed if found necessary.
And in order that my said Invention of improvements in the mode of
constructing breakwaters, quays, piers, sea walls, and the submarine works of
fortifications may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the.
several Figures on the accompanying Sheet of explanatory Drawings which I
have hereunto appended, for the purpose of showing certain modifications

page_text: under which my improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice,
that is to say:-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a transverse vertical section
of one mode of constructing a break water, pier, quay, or other generally similar
structure according to my improvements; Figure 2 is an elevation, partially
in section, of one face of the structure; the line 1 corresponds to the sectional
portion of the outer wall, shown to the left of Figure 1, and the line 2 to the
right-hand portion of the Figure. The line 3 in Figure 1 shows the direction
of the sectional parts delineated in Figure 2; Figure 3 is a horizontal section
of a portion of the structure taken through the line 4, Figure 2; Figures 4
and 5 are an elevation and transverse section showing other modes of con-
structing sea walls according to these improvements.
In constructing a breakwater, pier, or quay according to these improve-
ments, the bed of the sea or river where the structure is to be built may be
first deepened, as may be found necessary, in the line of the intended structure
by means of a dredging machine, to form a channel for receiving a foundation
or layer of concrete, or hydraulic cement. A number of wooden piles A are
driven and arranged in the line of the intended work, and at any convenient
distance asunder, they are driven as nearly as possible at the same angle as is
intended to be given to the walls of the structure to be erected. These piles
are for the purpose of fixing and setting in position the guide frame B, which
consists of balks of timber arranged in two parallel lengths, and united by the
cast-iron guides C, or other suitable attachments. On the upper side of the
frame B the flanges of the guides are let into the frames, so as to present an
even surface throughout its length. The guide frame B is brought up to the
outside of the piles A, which are supposed to stand considerably above the
surface of the water, and when in this position the buckles D are passed round
the piles A, and are attached to the frame B. The frame is then lowered
clown under water in any convenient manner, and set on the bed of the sea or
river, or on to the artificial foundation formed for the purpose. When in this
position wooden keys E are driven in between the buckles D and the inner
faces of the piles A, so as to connect the frame B firmly to the primary piles.
When the guide frame is properly fixed in position it forms a correct guage
for the subsequent operations. The guide piles F are then lowered into the
water, and are brought one by one over the guides C, and when the lower
extremity has passed nto the guide the pile is driven down. These piles may
be formed of wood or iron, but preference is given to the latter material. The
piles F are designated guide piles, because they serve to guide down into their

page_text: proper position the several blocks of masonry which forms the outer walls of the
structure. The guide piles F are arranged at convenient distances asunder,
this distance being made to suit the length of the blocks of stone of which the
walls are to be formed. The blocks of stone G are made of uniform length;
each block has formed at the ends a rectangular groove, equal to the width of
the guide piles F, and in depth equal to half the thickness of the pile. The
several stones as they are to be deposited are raised by means of suitable
tackle or hoisting apparatus above the piles F, to admit of the stone passing
down between its pair of guide piles. The vertical grooves in the ends of the
stone admit of its readily sliding down between the piles, whilst they serve to
guide it accurately to its predetermined position. The upper courses of masonry
may in like manner be laid with great rapidity and precision. A number of
rectangular blocks H are prepared; these blocks have a central aperture
made in them to admit of their sliding freely down the guide piles F. The
blocks H have also a dovetail groove formed at each end; a number of these
blocks are slid down over the piles F until the accumulated number reaches to
about the surface of the water. These blocks now form guides for placing in
position the intermediate blocks I, which are formed with dovetail ends
corresponding to the grooves in the guide blocks H. The pillars of masonry
formed by the blocks H serve to guide the blocks I down to their proper
position, and in this way a solid, smooth, and well jointed sea wall is quickly
raised. If preferred, the dovetails and grooves may be reversed, that is to
say, the grooves may be formed up on the guide blocks H, and the dovetails
or projections on the intermediate blocks I. As the wall is formed, concrete or
other suitable material, as shown at J, is deposited at the back of the wall in
any convenient manner. After the guide blocks have been arranged on the
piles as high as the surface of the water, they have fitted to each of them an
iron eap L, having a laterally projecting socket-piece to receive the end of the
tie rod M, which is keyed or otherwise secured to the socket. These rods
serve to bind the whole of the structure together at the upper part. Or,
instead of this arrangement, timber may be used for the purpose. In this
case it is preferred to attach to the piles A lengths of timber N, extending
longitudinally, as shown in the plan, Figure 3, and to the guide piles. F
transverse stringer pieces O, thus binding the whole firmly together. When
the dovetailed system of masonry has been carried up to the level of the water
mark, or to the top of the guide piles F, the farther building of the walk, as
at P, may be earried on in the usual manner.
Another mode of constructing sea walls and other generally similar

page_text: structures is delineated in Figures 4 and 5 on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, Figure 4 being a front elevation of the sea wall, and Figure 5
a transverse section of the same, taken on the line 5, Figure 4. The guide
frame B is, by preference, formed of double balks of timber laid closely
together, and rectangular openings are made in the frame to receive the
ends of the guide standards F. These standards are, by preference, formed of
cast iron, the lower flanged end of each fits into the sockets formed in the
guide frame B. The blocks of stone forming the lower course of masonry G
are made with a groove at each end, to admit of their being guided down to
the frame B by the standards F. The next course H are made with
rectangular openings in the centre, to admit of their being slipped over the
guide standards, and run down to the required position.
Increased rigidity may be given to these structures by the modification
shown in the right-hand position of Figures 4 and 5; in this arrangement the
guide standards are placed nearer together, and two openings are formed in
each block of stone. The blocks are made to break bond with each other by
passing one course of stones over the standards F, so that each pair of
standards pass through the block, as shown at G¹. In the succeeding course
of masonry the blocks are passed on to the next pair of standards, as at H',
which brings the abutting ends of this course of blocks over the centre of
the blocks G', and so on throughout the structure.
This system of building sea walls with the aid of guide piles or standards
may be modified in various ways without departing from the essential features
of the Invention, and I do not by any means intend to confine myself to the
precise modes of construction herein-before described. Instead of using
natural stone for the outer casing of the wall, blocks of artificial stone may
be used for the purpose; these are formed of a combination of hydraulic lime,
cement, or other suitable materials moulded to the required figure. In this
way breakwaters, piers, the submarine portions of fortifications, and other
generally similar works or structures may be constructed with accuracy,
rapidity, and economy, without the necessity of using coffer dams.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of breakwaters, piers,
quays, sea walls, and the submarine works of fortifications, as herein-before
described and delineated in the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Second, the system or mode of arranging and constructing breakwaters,
piers, quays, sea walls, and the submarine works of fortifications by forming
the outer subaqueous casing of blocks of stone, either natural or artificial;
these blocks having holes made through them to admit of their being passed
over piles or standards, which serve to guide them to their proper position,
and so form a continuous surface of stone, as herein-before described and
shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any equivalent therefor.
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Miller, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-one.
DANIEL MILLER. (L.S.)