AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND Apparatus FOR EXECUTING SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTIONS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
"
Patent Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting En-
gineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND Apparatus
FOR EXECUTING SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTIONS." -A communication from
abroad by François Durand, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Civil Engineer.
Scaled the 2nd September 1870, and dated the 8th March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert
Lake at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th March 1870.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTIONS," a communication,
to be as follows:-
The said Invention relates to a method and means whereby I am
enabled to execute with ease, economy, promptitude, and great safety all

page_text: kinds of submarine constructions, such as tunnels, dams, moles, foun-
dations for shore bays, the piers of bridges, and similar works in all
places where the workmen are exposed to danger from the irruption of the
water. The said Invention is characterized by the employment of a long
tube of strong cloth. The said tube is folded or creased like bellows, and
in such a manner that it may be contained in a very small chamber or
receptacle, which will slide upon the bed of a river, or upon any other
surface whereon it is desired to fix any submarine structure. The entire
apparatus is constructed in such a manner that it may contain the
workmen and the materials to be employed in the execution of the
work. One extremity of the cloth tube is retained at one side or bank
above the surface of the water, and the said tube is extended beyond the
chamber in proportion as the latter advances. The diameter of the
cloth tube is sufficient to allow of the execution inside the said tube of
the submarine structure, the said tube serving to enclose the masonry,
while the men work under its shelter as freely as in the open air.
The distinguishing advantages of my Invention, and the features
which render it practicable are, that while no force is expended in
opening the tube, the said tube in opening or extending from the
chamber does not expose its sides to danger from the pressure of the
water, for they rest or are supported all the time by such pressure
against the masonry being constructed, or against the sides of the
chamber, no part of the tube being at any time left without support.
From the above description it will be readily understood that my
Invention affords the means for executing in perfect safety, and in any
depth of water structures of any required length.
To construct a tunnel in a river or stream of no great depth, I
commence by making a trench by dredging, and if the head of the
tunnel is to be below the surface of the water the first operation is
executed by the aid of a frame or case, also forming part of my Inven-
tion, as I will herein-after describe. The head of the tunnel being
finished the apparatus above described is attached thereto, that is to say,
the receptacle carrying within it the cloth tube, which tube being
secured to the head of the tunnel enables me to proceed with the
construction of the tunnel proper by causing the apparatus to advance
equally with the construction.
The principle of my Invention being as above set forth, I wish it
understood that I do not limit myself to the details of construction,

page_text: form, or operation of the various details employed in practising the said
Invention.
In order that the same may be more clearly understood I have
illustrated an example thereof in the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a part of a tunnel constructed
according to my Invention. a is a cast-iron block of sufficient bulk to
hold by its weight the whole of the apparatus upon the bed of the river;
b is a tube securely attached to the centre of the block a; c is a metal
carapace or shell supported by the tube b; this carapace or cover forms
what I call the protector; it constitutes the working chamber, wherein
are enclosed the workmen and materials. d is an empty space or
chamber existing between the vertical wall of the protector c, and that
of the block a. It is in this chamber d that the folded tube is disposed,
as indicated by the red lines in Figure 1. e is the wall of the block a,
or metallic casing closing the chamber d to protect the folded tube, but
leaving a circular aperture f for the expansion or unfolding of the said
tube; g is a chamber at the outside of the block a; it is furnished with
a glass window h, which affords the means for observation to ascertain if
the way followed by the dredge is free from obstruction; i is a truck or
waggon running upon the floor of the tunnel; upon this truck the tube b
is firmly supported in order to give rigidity and solidity to the whole of
the apparatus. With this truck may also be used any desired number
of columns or buttresses which will sustain the protector, and thus
diminish the tendency to crushing by the weight of the column of water.
The truck is large enough to carry all the tools and accessories
necessary for the work; it may also support a moveable arch, which will
advance with the apparatus. The apparatus is caused to advance as the
work progresses by a chain, which is wound upon a winch on the
opposite shore or by other suitable means.
As may be seen by reference to Figure 1, the water can never in any
case penetrate into the space where the work is being executed, because
the tube completely surrounds such space, and in proportion as a length
of the tube issues from the chamber d, it is replaced by a corresponding
volume of water in the said chamber, and there is only the exterior face
of the tube in contact with the water.
When work is being carried on at a great depth, that is to say, when
the pressure of the water upon the cloth is very considerable, in order to
facilitate the slipping of the said cloth upon the shield c I make the

page_text: walls of this shield double and pierce the outer wall with a great number
of small holes, in such a manner as to produce at any required moment
(and by a single stroke of a pump) between the interior surface of the
cloth and the exterior surface of the shield a slight film of water, which
counterbalances the pressure and causes the cloth to move freely by the
rolling of the water. The interior and exterior surfaces of the shield,
or one of them only, may be provided with parallel furrows or fillets,
which will form trenches to carry off the water injected and prevent its
falling back upon the masonry or the workmen.
The tunnel head may be built by the employment of the frame or
case represented in Figure 2. This case will serve to construct heads of
tunnel, piers of bridges, dams, quays, and other submarine structures, a
cloth being employed as aforesaid to isolate the work.
In Figure 2 the blue lines indicate the piers of a bridge in course of
construction,
My improved frame obviates the necessity for the previous erection of
piles, which is very costly, and of water-tight walls heretofore necessary
for the construction of piers, dams, and other similar work. The said
frame is easily adjustable and portable, and may serve successively for
any number of piers. It is composed of woodwork q; it is open at
its lower part, and its upper part supports a stage r, upon which is
erected a chamber 8. The lower case or frame is hermetically closed by
a cloth applied outside, represented in red lines. At the bottom this
cloth has two apertures, which may be closed by screw stoppers.
The whole apparatus is lowered into the water at the place where the
pier, tunnel head, or other work is to be constructed. The water
entering through the aperture t fills the case q, and then the said
aperture is closed by a plunger. By the aid of a pump o all the water
is withdrawn from the case q into the upper receiver 8, and the weight
of this volume serves to maintain in its place the case q, into which it a
is then possible to descend and execute the required work. For this
purpose the upper case 8, while it is of the same width as the case q,
is not so long in order to leave spaces at the front and back, which allow
entrance into the latter and the lowering of the materials therein.
Before commencing the masonry work liquid cement is run from a
tubex filling the empty space existing under the cloth, and forming a
bed to build upon. The construction being ended the end of the

page_text: cloth is cut at the points 1 and 2, the upper receiver is emptied, and
the apparatus may then be easily removed to be used for another
construction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th September 1870.
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the International Patent Office," Southampton
Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs. and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence that
I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, my exccutors,
administrators, and 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 "AN IMPROVED METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING SUBMARINE CONSTRUCTIONS," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by François Durand, of Paris, in the Empire
of France, Civil Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification :-
The said Invention relates to a method and means whereby I am
enabled to execute with ease, economy, promptitude, and great safety
all kinds of submarine constructions, such as tunnels, dams, moles,
foundations for shore bays, the piers of bridges, and similar works in all
places where the workmen are exposed to danger from the irruption of
water. The said Invention is characterized by the employment of a
long tube of strong cloth. The said tube is folded or creased like bellows
and in such a manner that it may be contained in a very small
chamber or receptacle, which will slide upon the bed of a river or
upon any other surface whereon it is desired to fix any submarine
structure. The entire apparatus is constructed in such a manner that
it may contain the workmen and the materials to be employed in the
execution of the work. One extremity of the cloth tube is retained at
one side or bank above the surface of the water, and the said tube is
extended beyond the chamber in proportion as the latter advances.
The diameter of the cloth tube is sufficient to allow of the execution
inside the said tube of the submarine structure, the said tube serving
to enclose the masonry while the men work under its shelter as freely
as in the open air.
The distinguishing advantages of my Invention, and the features which
render it practicable are that, while no force is expended in opening
the tube, the said tube in opening or extending from the chamber does
not expose its sides to danger from the pressure of the water, for they
rest or are supported all the time by such pressure against the masonry
being constructed, or against the sides of the chamber, no part of the
tube being at any time left without support.
From the above description it will be readily understood that my
Invention affords the means for executing in perfect safety and in any
depth of water structures of any required length.
To construct a tunnel in a river or stream of no great depth I
commence by making a trench by dredging, and if the head of the
tunnel is to be below the surface of the water the first operation is
executed with the aid of a frame or case, also forming part of my
Invention, as I will herein-after describe. The head of the tunnel being
finished, I attach thereto the apparatus above described, that is to say,
the receptacle carrying within it the cloth tube, which tube being

page_text: secured to the head of the tunnel enables me to proceed with the con-
struction of the tunnel proper by causing the apparatus to advance
equally with the construction.
The principle of my Invention being as above set forth I wish it
understood that I do not limit myself to the details of construction,
form, or operation of the various details employed in practising the said
Invention, and in order that the same may be more clearly under-
stood I have illustrated an example thereof in the accompanying
Drawing.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a part of a tunnel constructed
according to my Invention; a is a cast-iron piece of sufficient bulk
to hold by its weight the whole of the apparatus upon the bed of the
river; b is a tube securely attached to the centre of the block a; c is a
metal carapace or shell supported by the tube b. This carapace or
cover forms what I call the protector. It constitutes the working
chamber wherein are enclosed-the-workmen and materials. -d-is-a-spaco
or chamber existing between the vertical wall of the protector c and
that of the block a. It is in this chamber d that the folded tube is
disposed as indicated by the red lines in Figure 1; e is the wall of the
block a or metallic casing closing the chamber d to protect the folded
tube, but leaving a circular aperture ƒ for the expansion or unfolding
of the said tube; g is a chamber at the outside of the block a; it is
furnished with a glass window h which affords the means for observation
to ascertain if the way followed by the dredge is free from obstruction;
i is a truck or waggon running upon the floor of the tunnel. Upon this
truck the tube b is firmly supported in order to give rigidity and solidity
to the whole of the apparatus. With this truck may also be used any
desired number of columns or buttresses which will sustain the pro-
tector and thus support it against the crushing force or weight of the
column of water. The truck i is large enough to carry all the tools
and accessories necessary for the work. It may also support a
movable arch which will advance with the apparatus. The apparatus
is caused to advance as the work progresses by a chain which is
wound upon a winch on the opposite shore or by other suitable means.
As may be seen by reference to Figure 1 the water can never in any
case penetrate into the space where the work is being executed, because
the tube completely surrounds such space, and in proportion as a length
of the tube issues from the chamber dit is replaced by a corresponding

page_text: volume of water in the said chamber, and there is only the exterior face
of the tube in contact with the water.
When work is being carried on at a great depth, that is to say, when
the pressure of the water upon the cloth is very great, in order to
facilitate the slipping of the said cloth upon the shield c, I make the t
walls of this shield double and pierce the outer wall with a great
number of small holes, in such a manner as to produce at any required
moment and by a single stroke of a pump, between the interior surface
of the cloth and the exterior surface of the shield, a slight film of water,
which counterbalances the pressure and causes the cloth to slip or move 1
freely. The interior and exterior surfaces of the shield, or one of them
only, may be provided with parallel furrows or fillets, which will form
trenches to carry off the water injected and prevent its falling back upon
the masonry or the workmen.
The tunnel head may be built by the employment of the frame or 1
case represented in Figure 2. This case will serve to construct heads
of tunnels, piers of bridges, dams, quays, and other submarine
structures, a cloth being employed as aforesaid to isolate the work.
In Figure 2 the blue lines indicate the piers of a bridge in course
of construction.
2
My improved frame obviates the necessity for the previous crection
of piles which is very costly and of water-tight walls heretofore necessary
for the construction of piers, dams, and other similar work. The said
frame is easily adjustable and portable and may serve successively for
any number of piers. It is composed of woodwork q; it is open at 2
its lower part, and its upper part supports a stage r, upon which is erected
a chamber 8. The lower case or frame is hermetically closed by a cloth
applied outside. At the bottom, as shewn in red lines in the Drawing,
this cloth has two apertures which may be closed by screw stoppers.
The whole apparatus is lowered into the water at the place where 3
the pier, tunnel head, or other work is to be constructed. The water
entering through the aperture t fills the case q, and then the said
aperture is closed by a plunger. By the aid of a pump all the water
is withdrawn from the case q into the upper receiver 8, and the weight
of this volume serves to maintain in its place the case q into which it 3
is then possible to descend and execute the required work. For this
purpose the upper cases, while it is of the same width as the case q,
is made shorter in order to leave spaces at the front and back which

page_text: allow entrance into the latter and the lowering of the materials therein.
Before commencing the masonry work liquid cement is poured from a
tube x, filling the empty space existing under the cloth and forming
a bed z to build upon. The construction being ended the end of the
cloth is cut at the points 1 and 2. The upper receiver is emptied and
the apparatus may then be easily removed to be used for another
construction.
Figure 1 of the Drawing is only a sketch given to enable the above
description to be more clearly understood, but in Figures 3 and 4 I have
shewn such an arrangement of my apparatus as may be advantageously
adopted in practice.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the said apparatus on the line A, B,
Figure 4; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on the line C, D, Figure 3.
In these two Figures like letters indicate the same parts.
Instead of using as herein-above described a shell or carapace of cast
iron I make use of a carapace or envelope of sheet iron mounted on
a frame composed of I-shaped iron bars. By this means I obtain great
strength combined with extreme lightness; a, a, are two rings of I iron
placed in a vertical position and at a suitable distance one from another.
On these two rings are fixed the longitudinal bars b. I thus form
the skeleton of the apparatus on which is fixed the exterior sheet metal
envelope c. Two wrought iron girders or bearers d serve as a frame for
the wagon or truck which supports the apparatus, and for that purpose
they are secured to the rings a by transverse wrought iron beams e.
ff, are the wagon wheels fitted to roll upon rails g which are laid
down as the work progresses; h is the cloth tube contained in the
chamber i; jis the handle for moving the apparatus. Instead of folding
the cloth in a chamber making a part of the shell or carapace, I may
immerse the said cloth for the entire width of the river where the
submarine construction is to be made. The cloth will occupy the bed
of the river, the waggon and the shell or carapace advancing in the
cloth and forcing it open as the work progresses.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
First. A tube of strong cloth of a length corresponding with the
lincar length of the work to be executed, which tube is folded within

page_text: a receptacle that advances as the work progresses in such a manner as
to develope the cloth tube gradually in a cylindrical form, the tube
having its support on a protecting receptacle or cover, so that submarine
constructions or work of any kind may be executed inside it while
the workmen and materials are completely isolated from the water, as
herein set forth.
Second. The apparatus represented in Figure 2 forming the com-
plement of that represented in Figures 1, 3, and 4, and serving for
the construction of tunnels, piers, bridges, and similar work.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here- 1
unto set my hand and scal, this Sixth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W. J. LOWE.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)