Year: 1898

page_text: I, ANDREW VAN BIBBER, of No. 1, East Sixth Street, Cincinnati, in the County
of Hamilton, State of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer of Printer's
Inking-rollers and Composition therefor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a system of fortification for coast cities and harbors,
being designed to meet the modern methods of naval attack by armored ships and
guns of long range better than any system of defense hitherto in use. It is not
claimed that it can be easily and cheaply adapted to all harbors irrespective of the
depth of water outside, but it can be used to greatly strengthen nearly all harbors
and to practically render them impregnable against naval attack, and this by the
use of a comparatively small force of men and without the aid of warships. Such
defense is, therefore, not only valuable as an insurance, but is equivalent to an
increase in the navy, since it in a great measure relieves fleets from the duty of
coast defense.
The protection of harbors and coast cities should not be allowed to depend wholly
on the accidental conformation of the coast line, which may afford a much weaker
defense in some cases than in others, and which in all cases can be strengthened
by this system, and no place can be relied on as safe which is not practically im-
pregnable against a powerful naval force and modern methods of attack. The
greatly increased range of naval guns demands that defensive works be more
remote from the place defended than formerly, or the defended city may be ruined,
while the attack may be repulsed. A city affords a very large target, which partly
compensates for the longer range required to reach it. Attacks may come from
fleets so strong that every possible means of defense may be required to repel them.
It does not do to depend on the aid of fleets which are urgently needed elsewhere
and may not arrive in time.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a plan view showing in outline a harbor defended according to my
system of fortification.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modified arrangement of
the system of fortification.
Figure 3 is a view showing the system applied for the defense of a harborless
coast city.
The chief feature of my system of fortification is the artificial channel or canal A,
which serves two purposes. First-if the enemy determines to enter or storm the
harbor, he must take that well-defended channel and can enter nowhere else.
Entering by the channel A, he is exposed to the severest possible fire at known
ranges and is also exposed to obstructions, mines and other dangers of which he
can know but little, and the locations and distances of which are accurately known
כל

page_text: to the defenders. He is also exposed to an enfilading fire from the fort or forts D
which rake and command the channel.
I preferably construct the channel A between rows or embankments of con-
crete blocks, and carry it out into the sea as far as possible or needful, or as far
as the appropriation for the purpose will permit, for it can be afterwards extended.
I prefer to have the tops of the embankments a where the tide does not rise to a
very great height, slightly below low water mark and adapted to be properly
buoyed and lighted when defense is not needed. I prefer, too, that the buoys and
lights be not removed until an attack is imminent, though it is not absolutely
necessary that the buoys be removed at any time.
The channel A may be of any suitable width to allow the free entrance an
departure of vessels in any weather, and may be from one or two hundred yards
to half a mile or over in width. The longer the channel, the more effectual it will
be for the purposes of defense. The inner ends of the embarkments a will usually
be at some distance from the shore, so that the harbor can, in time of peace, be
entered through the waters intervening between the land and said inner ends of
the embankments, but in time of war it will be desirable to close or partially close
up these lateral passages by means of wings B which extend across from near the
inner ends of the embankments to the shoal water at each side of the harbor
mouth. Openings may be left, either between the wings B, B, and the embank
ments of the main channel A or in the embankments of the channel itself, large
enough for friendly vessels, properly piloted, to have free ingress or egress to or
from the harbor without being confined to the channel.
The wings or auxiliary embankments B are also preferably sunken or invisible,
when in place, and will be removed after war, the materials for their construction
being kept near at hand ready for use. They are formed of material similar to that
used in the embankments a of the main channel, or they may be formed otherwise,
as by sinking loaded vessels which may be readily raised and removed.
I place upon the embankments a of the artificial channel the flanking forts C, C,
by which I obtain a powerful fire remote from the defended city, much nearer to
the enemy's ships than the latter are to the city, and I also obtain a flanking fire
along the shore, which remote and flanking fire defends the city or harbor far
more effectually than would forts upon the natural shore lines.
The flanking forts C, C, and the raking fort or forts D, are preferably armored
and bomb-proof, and are also preferably revolving with water-tight submarine
chambers for magazines and other uses, though these features may be omitted,
with disadvantage, for the sake of cheapness. It is plain that the embankments a
of the channel and of the wings B do not interfere in the least with the fire of the
defense, being about low water mark, except where the tide is exceptionally high.
It is not intended that these should, in all cases, constitute the only defenses,
or that any naturally strong points should be neglected, the object to be attained
being the successful defense of the harbor without the aid of a fleet, and it is evi-
dent that the system may be, to an extent, modified, to suit varying conditions.
In the case of a harbor or bay with a wide mouth, the arrangement shown in
Figure 2 may be adopted.
As shown in this view, there are two channels E, E, formed at angles to each
other by embankments, the outer part of each of which is fortified as shown at F.
Wings G extend from the inner ends of the embarkments to shoal water at each
side of the harbor mouth and another wing H extends across the space between
the inner ends of the respective channels so that entrance to the harbor can only 5
be had through the channels E under the direct fire of the forts F. To further
strengthen the defensive works, a fort D is located at the harbor mouth in a posi-
tion to command both passages or channels E so as to subject hostile vessels pass-
ing through them to a raking fire.
This system may also be modified and employed for the defense of coast cities 5
which are on a line of coast without harbors. Here the same system applies, but
the canal or channel J is much widened, as shown in Figure 3, with one of the

page_text: submarine embankments K flanking each end of the town and having a fort Lat
its outer end. The advantage of a defense nearer to the enemy's ships remains,
and the fort or battery D shown in Figures 1 and 2, commanding the channel,
may be on shore, as shown at D. When all defensive guns are on shore in the
case of a harborless city, the city is at a great disadvantage and can be ruined.
By means of this system, the enemy's vessels cannot maneuver freely to deliver
their fire and cannot storm the harbor, for they are confined to a narrow channel
and are exposed to a close, destructive fire and also to obstructions and mines.
While they are held at a distance from the city and harbor, they are exposed to a
short range fire from guns which may be much heavier than ships can carry and
which may render their armor of no value. At the same time, the forts are pre-
ferably protected by impenetrable armor, heavier than can be used on ships.
To meet modern facilities and methods of attack, the system I have described
is imperative and is the only safe defense. By means of this system coast cities
may be entrusted with their own defense against a hostile navy and our own navy
may be employed elsewhere.
יד
I, ANDREW VAN BIBBER, of No. 1, East Sixth Street, Cincinnati, in the County
of Hamilton, State of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer of Printer's
Inking-rollers and Composition therefor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement ;-
This invention relates to a system of fortification for coast cities and harbors,
being designed to meet the modern methods of naval attack by armored ships and
guns of long range better than any system of defence hitherto in use. It is not
claimed that it can be easily and cheaply adapted to all harbors irrespective of the
depth of water outside, but it can be used to greatly strengthen nearly all harbors
and to practically render them impregnable against naval attack, and this by the
use of a comparatively small force of men and without the aid of warships. Such
defence is, therefore, not only valuable as an insurance, but is equivalent to an
increase in the navy, since it, in a great measure, relieves fleets from the duty of
coast defence.
The protection of harbors and coast cities should not be allowed to depend wholly
on the accidental conformation of the coast line, which may afford a much weaker
defence in some cases than in others, and which in all cases can be strengthened
by this system, and no place can be relied on as safe which is not practically im-
pregnable against a powerful naval force and modern methods of attack. The
greatly increased range of naval guns demands that defensive works be more
remote from the place defended than formerly, or the defended city may be ruined,
while the attack may be repulsed. A city affords a very large target, which partly
compensates for the longer range required to reach it. Attacks may come from
fleets so strong that every possible means of defence may be required to repel them.

page_text: It does not do to depend on the aid of meers which are urgently meeted Bisnes
and may not arrive in time.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification-
Figure 1 is a plan view showing in outline a harbor defended according to my
system of fortification.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing a modified arrangement of
the system of fortification.
Figure 3 is a view showing the system applied for the defence of a harborless
coast city.
The chief feature of my system of fortification is the artificial channel or canal A,
which serves two purposes. First-if the enemy determines to enter or storm the
harbor, he must take that well-defended channel and can enter nowhere else.
Entering by the channel A, he is exposed to the severest possible fire at known
ranges and is also exposed to obstructions, mines and other dangers of which he
can know but little and the locations and distances of which are accurately known
to the defenders. He is also exposed to an enfilading fire from the fort or forts D
which rake and command the channel.
I preferably construct the channel A between rows or embankments a of con-
crete blocks, and carry it out into the sea as far as possible or needful, or as far
as the appropriation for the purpose will permit, for it can be afterwards extended.
I prefer to have the tops of the embankments a where the tide does not rise to a
very great height, slightly below low water mark and adapted to be properly
buoyed and lighted when defence is not needed. I prefer, too, that the buoys and
lights be not removed until an attack is imminent, though it is not absolutely
necessary that the buoys be removed at any time.
The channel A may be of any suitable width to allow the free entrance and
departure of vessels in any weather and may be from one to two hundred yards
to half a mile or over in width. The longer the channel, the more effectual it will
be for the purposes of defence. The inner ends of the embankments a will usually
be at some distance from the shore, so that the harbor can, in time of peace, be
entered through the waters intervening between the land and said inner ends of
the embankments, but in time of war it will be desirable to close or partially close
up these lateral passages by means of wings B which extend across from near the
inner ends of the embankments to the shoal water at each side of the harbor
mouth. Openings may be left, either between the wings B, B, and the embank-
ments of the main channel A, or in the embankments of the channel itself, large
enough for friendly vessels, properly piloted, to have free ingress or egress to or
from the harbor without being confined to the channel.
The wings or auxiliary embankments B are also preferably sunken or invisible,
when in place, and will be removed after war, the materials for their construction
being kept near at hand ready for use. They are formed of material similar to that
used in the embankments a of the main channel, or they may be formed otherwise,
as by sinking loaded vessels which may be readily raised and removed.
I place upon the embankments a of the artificial channel the flanking forts C, C,
by which I obtain a powerful fire remote from the defended city, much nearer to
the enemy's ships than the latter are to the city, and I also obtain a flanking fire
along the shore, which remote and flanking fire defends the city or harbor far
more effectually than would forts upon the natural shore lines.
The flanking forts C, C, and the raking fort or forts D, are preferably armored
and bomb-proof, and are also preferably revolving with water-tight submarine
chambers for magazines and other uses, though these features may be omitted
with disadvantage, for the sake of cheapness. It is plain that the embankments
of the channel and of the wings B being about low water mark, except where the
tide is exceptionally high do not interfere in the least with the fire of the defence
It is not intended that these should in all cases, constitute the only defences
or that any naturally strong points should be neglected, the object to be attained

page_text: being the successful defence of the harbor without the aid of a fleet, and it is evi-
dent that the system may be, to an extent, modified to suit varying conditions.
In the case of a harbor or bay with a wide mouth, the arrangement shown in
Figure 2 may be adopted.
As shown in this view, there are two channels E, E, formed at an angle by
embankments, the outer ends of which are fortified as shown at F. Wings (
extend from the inner ends of the embankments to shoal water at each side of the
harbor mouth and another wing H extends across the space between the inner ends
of the respective channels so that the entrance to the harbor can only be had
through the channels E under the direct fire of the forts F. To further strengthen
the defensive works, a fort D is located at the harbor mouth in a position to com-
mand both passages or channels E so as to subject hostile vessels passing through
them to a raking fire.
This system may also be modified and emploved for the defence of coast cities
which are on a line of coast without harbors. Here, the same system applies, but
the canal or channel J is much widened, as shown in Figure 3, with one of the
submarine embankments K flanking each end of the town and having a fort L at
its outer end. The advantage of a defence nearer to the enemy's ships remains,
and the fort or battery D shown in Figures 1 and 2, commanding the channel,
may be on shore, as shown at D'. When all defensive guns are on shore in the
case of a harborless city, the city is at a great disadvantage and can be ruined.
By means of this system, the enemy's vessels cannot manoeuvre freely to deliver
their fire and cannot storm the harbor, for they are confined to a narrow channel
and are exposed to a close, destructive fire and also to obstructions and mines.
While they are held at a distance from the city and harbor, they are exposed to a
short range fire from guns which may be much heavier than ships can carry and
which may render their armor of no value. At the same time, the forts are pre-
ferably protected by impenetrable armor, heavier than can be used on ships.
To meet modern facilities and methods of attack, the system I have described
is imperative and is the only safe defence. By means of this system coast cities
may be entrusted with their own defence against a hostile navy and our own navy
may be employed elsewhere.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
Firstly. A harbor fortification having an artificially constructed canal or channel
extending outwardly from the harbor or city to be defended, and formed between
wholly or partially submerged embankments.
Secondly. A fortification comprising embankments extending out from the
harbor or city to be defended and forming between them a canal or channel, and
forts located on the embankments to supply a defensive fire more remote. from the
city or harbor than is afforded by the shore guns.
Thirdly. A fortification comprising embankments extending out from the harbor
or city to be defended and forming between them a canal or channel, and a fort D
lorated between the inner end of the channel and the place to be defended so as to
rake or command the channel by its fire.
Fourthly. A fortification comprising embankments extending outwardly from
the harbor or city to be defended, and forming between them a canal or channel
a fort located between the inner end of the channel and the harbor to be defended,
to afford a raking fire outwardly along the channel, and forts on the said embank-
ments to furnish a fire nearer to the hostile fleet and a flanking fire along the navi-
gable shore line.
Fifthly. A fortification comprising embankments arranged to extend out from
the harbor or city to be defended and forming between them a canal or channel,
said embankments having their inner ends located away from the shore to form
passages at the inner end of said canal or channel and affording access to said har-

page_text: bor or city, wings adapted to be arranged across the spaces at the inner ends of
the embankments, and forts located on the embankments to supply a defensive
fire more remote from the city or harbor than is afforded by the shore guns.
Dated this 8th day of February 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.