THE APPLICATION OF CHANICAL POWERS POR LIFTING, REMOVING, AND PRESERVVING TREES, HOUSES, AND OTHER BODIES
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME OR BE MADE
KNOWN, I, STEWART MCGLASHEN, of Edinburgh, Scotland, Sculptor, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-ninth April, in the fifteenth year of Her said
Majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and fifty-two,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Stewart McGlashen, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial license, full
power, sole privilege, & authority, that I, the said Stewart M°Glashen, my
exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Stewart McGlashen,
my exors, adñiors, and assigns, should from time to time and at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years (to wit, fourteen years, pursuant to the Statute in that made and
provided) therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within Her said Majesty's Kingdom of England, Her Dominion of
Wales, in the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention for "THE APPLICATION OF
CHANICAL POWERS POR LIFTING, REMOVING, AND PRESERVVING TREES, HOUSES, AND
OTHER BODIES;" and whereas in the Royal Letters Patent herein-before
mentioned is contained a clause for providing that I, the said Stewart

page_text: McGlashen, shall, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, cause
a particular description of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, made, or carried into practical effect, to be enrolled in
Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said herein in part recited Letters Patent, as
in and by, reference being had thereto, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that, in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Stewart M°Glashen, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention for
"The Application of certain Mechanical Powers for Lifting, Removing, and
Preserving Trees, Houses, and Bodies," and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the illustrative Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
The object of this Invention, as its title imports, is the safe removal of
trees, buildings, or other bodies from one place to another without endangering
the life of trees or the stability of such buildings or other bodies during
removal. I address myself, in the first instance, to the description of my
Invention as applicable to removal of trees; but it is to be observed, that with
certain variations herein-after described, or such as will suggest themselves to
persons of reasonable aptitude, similar modes of proceeding are applicable to
the removal of houses and other bodies. Before commencing the opera-
tion of removing a tree, the receiving hole or pit should be fully prepared for
the reception of its roots, so that no unnecessary delay may occur in replanting.
The pit should, when requisite, be properly covered, as herein-after directed,
with planks of sufficient strength to receive the cradled tree, and of sufficient
size to render the operations round the cradling easy. I now proceed to direct
how a tree should be treated for removal without the use of a trench. Sup-
pose the size and nature of the tree to be operated upon will require an area
of ten feet by ten feet, or, in other words, one hundred superficial by two feet
deep, or more feet, so that all its roots may be preserved within compass of the
case or cradle to be used, and the operator should be aware that the extent to
which roots spread varies in the different varieties of trees: take a frame a,
Figure 1, of iron or other suitable material, and lay it upon the ground, having
the trunk of the tree for its centre; cutter 6 is then driven into the ground (the
dimensions of the cutter may be varied) within the frame by the use of mallets
or any pressure or driving force that may be attainable to a proper depth.
If a cutting to the requisite depth cannot conveniently be obtained by means
of one cutter I use, firstly, a stout cutter to open the ground to a portion of
the depth required, after which it is taken out and another longer cutter is

page_text: then driven drown to the requisite depth and allowed to remain in its place. A
succession of cuts in then to be made in like manner all round the inside of
the frame until the ball of earth that is to be removed with the tree is all cut
round about; I do not, however, deem it necessary to leave a cutter in each
cutting made in the manner I have described, but only in each alternate
cutting, because I believe it will be found in a great majority of cases that the
number of cutters so left in will be sufficient to preserve entire the ball of
earth in which the roots are embedded. The number of cutters to be left in
the ground will of course depend principally upon the nature of the soil, and
also upon the class of tree to be operated upon, and this part of the operation
will require the exercise of great care on the part of the operator. A mat or
any other soft pliable material is to be wrapt round the trunk of the tree and
clasped thereto by a collar C of iron, wood, or any strong material; this collar
or framing is tightened up by any known process and secured by bolts or
otherwise in its place, as shewn at D, Figure 1; two beams of wood or bars of
iron of sufficient length e, e, are then laid across the frame on each side of the
trunk of the tree (above or below the clasp or collar just described, as may be
found most convenient); the ends of these beams are then to be securely
fastened to the framing a, a. Should the position of these beams be above the
clasp or collar C, they should be fastened to it; but if their position be below
the collar, they will require no binding or other fastening. A bar of iron or
wood is placed along each side against the insides of the tops of the cutters,
and made fast to the outside cutters. Four extensors or rods of iron or wood
ffff, furnished with screws are placed across the framing, and have their
ends secured to the bars which have been placed against the tops of the cutters
as just mentioned. Each of these extensors must be furnished with a right
and left hand screw at one or both of its ends, in order to screw out or press
back the heads of the cutters, which acting as levers (having the sides of the
frame for their fulcrum) will compress the earth and render it less likely to
give way or part from the root. Having thus cradled or prepared the tree, the
carriage is now brought forward and the beams g, g, are taken off, and one of
the carts being placed on opposing sides of the frame and adjusted, the beams
g, g, are again replaced, and all being made fast, the carriage is now formed,
the bars h, h, are now placed across the long beams with holes drilled in the
centre to allow the screw to work.
Into or through each bar h, h, is drilled a hole or holes sufficiently large to
allow the working of a screw or screws through them, while the upper portion
of the screw rests on the top of the bars h, h, the lower end is chained or
otherwise fastened to the framing a, a, and are then set in motion by any

page_text: convenient power, so as to raise the whole of the compressed mass a little
above the surface of the surrounding ground; planks are placed across the
mouth of the pit now formed, of sufficient strength to carry the wheels of
one end of the carriage. The winch or power is then applied, and the tree
removed to the place where it is to be replanted. When it has arrived at the
pit prepared as before advised with planks laid over, so as to support the
wheels at one end of the carriage as they pass over it, when exactly over
the hole or pit, all the planks are then removed, the mass lowered down into
the new pit, the two side beams of the carriage are taken off, the earth filled in
round about the boll or ball of the tree, and the extensors removed, which of
course relieves the cutters from their burden; the cutters are then withdrawn
from the earth, the framing removed, and the operation is completed. Trees
may be also lifted, removed, and preserved without the use of a frame or
cutters, by simply applying a collar round the stem as herein-before described,
and pulled out of the ground by the screw lever or any other means most
suitable; when raised a sufficient height two beams of wood are passed under-
neath the roots, on which planks are laid of sufficient strength to carry the
mass; the lift is now taken from the beams underneath the planks, the mass
propelled to the place where it is to be planted; the pit being dug, the mass is
lowered into it, and the lift being again taken by the collar, the beams and
planks underneath the roots are removed, and the earth filled in, and the
operation is completed.
I would observe that dumbcraft block and tackle lever hydraulic press, or
any other mechanical power, may be used instead of the screw described for
raising the mass, but it would be needless to describe their use separately.
If it be determined to transplant a tree to a considerable distance along a
rough road, it will be proper to secure the boll or ball, on whose tenacity the
life of the tree depends, in a case or close cradle, or other suitable framing;
suppose a case be preferred, when the ball has been raised a little above the
ground, two beams or bearers of wood g, g, Figure 3, Sheet 1, of sufficient
strength, are laid across the mouth of the pit or hole, produced by the dis-
lodgment of the tree; a flooring composed of planks is then laid across the
beams, the ends of the planks resting thereon; the two outside planks should
be a little thicker than the inner ones, which must, however, be raised to the
level of the outer ones by wedges placed under their ends. The mass (trec,
with bolt and framing) is lowered on to this floor, the case k, k, Figure 3,
Sheet 1, put round the whole and secured firmly at its corners by bolts or
other strong fastenings. The space between the inside of the case and the
ball of earth is to be filled in with earth, and as the case is formed more

page_text: on a level (as shewn in the Drawings), such formation causes a greater.
space at the top thereof than at the bottom, and thus when filled the earth:
acts as a sort of wedge power the more firmly to bind the boll. The cutters
may now be removed when it is thought desirable from about the ball, the
earth is filled into the top of the case, planks laid over the earth, and these
upper and the bottom planks (before described) are firmly secured or con-
nected together by any convenient means, thus completing the box or case for
carrying the tree with safety. The screws are now put in motion, the case or
bin is raised sufficiently from the ground to keep it clear from any inequality
of ground or other obstruction on its journey; planks are placed across the
mouth of the pit, and the winch or other power applied as before described,
and the whole removed to the place where the tree is to be replanted on
arrival at the pit which has been prepared for the reception of the tree, with
planks laid across its mouth. The box containing the tree having arrived
exactly over the pit, the wedges which were, placed underneath the centre
planks at the bottom are removed; the planks are thus relieved from the super-
incumbent burthen, and may be drawn out, and the mass lowered into the pit;
the screws, the carriage, the beams, which underneath supported the two. thick
planks forming part of the case bottom, are then to be removed, the earth
filled in. opposite the centre of the case, care being, had to leave the corners
clear thereof; the fastenings of these corners are then removed or let and
the earth filled in all round; one of the sides of the case is then drawn up,
and during its withdrawal the earth is firmly pressed in upon at the side of the
ball which.prevents its giving way; the other three sides are removed succes-
sively in like manner, when the operation is complete.
go,
I now proceed to describe the mode to be adopted in lifting, removing, and
replanting trees, with the use of a trench. Suppose the ball of earth in which
the roots of a tree are embedded to be the same as first mentioned, or ten.feet
diameter each way; cut a trench round the area of the ball a little deeper than
it is supposed the roots of the tree will have pierced the ground; a bevilled
case or boxing is nowe to be put to the sides of the ball, and the ends or
corners of such case or box firmly secured together by bolts, screws, or any
convenient and sufficient means; the earth is now dug out from underneath the
ease, say about eighteen inches all round, or rather about the square of the
case; a beam of wood is then. laid down on opposing sides thereof; a hole is
then bored underneath the ball, in the centre of the space between the ends
of the aforesaid beams, by an instrument of the principle of an auger, with a
screw at the end to force it. in, or any other convenient means; through this
hole a beam is passed; a plank is then laid, across the three beams at their

page_text: all
ends. A mat or any other soft material is wrapt round the trunk of the tree;
a clasp (described in the first mode herein-before mentioned) is fastened round
it as a collar; two beams of wood aro laid across the top of the case, either
above or below the collar as aforesaid, on each side of the tree trunk, and
firmly fastened to the case and to the collar if lying above it, but not other-
wise. The carriage is now brought forward, and the two long side beams
taken off it; each portion of the said carriage is placed up to and on opposing
sides of the trench, and properly stationed or adjusted; the long beams are
then placed on the carriage in the way first directed; the screws being
previously connected at their lower ends to the beams underneath the case,
are applied or put in motion, so as to raise the whole mass a little above the
surface of the surrounding ground; planks are then laid across the beams
underneath the case, a little thinner than those already laid across, and wedged
up to their level as before described; thus forming a bottom for the case;
being now made fast and adjusted, planks are laid across the pit now formed;
the winch or other power is then applied, and the tree thus removed to the
place where it is to be replanted. On arriving at which, the operations of
lowering the mass into the pit formed for its reception, and the removal of the
planks and beams, filling in the earth and withdrawing the case sides, are
carried out precisely in the mode or manner herein-before described in the
treating of removal with a case, but without a trench, and so the operation is
completed. I now propose to describe my mode of lifting, removing, &
preserving young trees and shrubs. Suppose the area required round the
trunk or stem of the sapling or shrub to be thirty inches in diameter each way
across, and twenty inches in depth, a frame of T-iron, thirty inches square,
1, 1, Figure 12, Sheet 2, with a joint at one corner, and a pin to fasten it at
another (to admit of its being opened or shut at pleasure), it is (in applying
this part of my Invention to herbaceous or flowering plants, I make use of two
circular spades, as shewn at Figures 14 and 15, Sheet 2,) then opened round
the tree and laid upon the ground, and being again made fast at the corner,
a spade m, m, m, m, Figure 12, Sheet 2, twenty-nine inches at top and twenty-
'three inches mouth, is driven in with mallets in the inside of the frame, four of
these with holes in the top of the handles having been driven in, one at each
opposing side; the extensors, which are rods of iron, with a screw at one or both
ends, are now put through the holes on the handles of the spades, as shewn
at n, n, Figure 12, Sheet 2, and being screwed out act upon the spades as a
lever, and the frame as the fulcrum to compress the earth sufficiently tight to
secure the ball of earth; it may then be lifted out of the hole by any convenient
means, & then removed on a small truck or barrow to the place where it is

page_text: to be planted; the hole being dug, it is put in and the earth filled in all round
about, the extensors removed, and the spades taken out, which finishes the
operation. Suppose the area or surface of earth to be eighteen inches square,
a frame twenty-two inches square, with a joint as before at the one corner, and
a pin to fasten it at the other, it is then opened round the shrub and laid upon
the ground; it may be effected by two circular spades with a joint at the
centre, as shewn at Figure 14; having been again made fast at the corner, the
ball is cut with a spade all round about the inside of the frame; four spades
are then put in, one in the centre of each side of the frame; the spades are
then pressed out at the top of the handles, and the extensors which are rods
of iron, wood, or any other material, with holes at each end for a pin to go in
to hold the spade out, are applied, which makes the ball secure, it may now
be lifted out and carried along to the place where it is to be planted; the hole
for it being previously dug, it is put in and the earth filled in round about, the
extensors and spades are removed, and the earth pressed in round about,
which finishes the operation. Although a frame is here described, the same
object may be accomplished by a universal joint attached to the corners of the
spades, or a rope chain or hoop of a barrel, or two circular spades with a joint
at the centre, as shewn at Figure 14. But if they have to be sent to a great
distance, it will be necessary to get them into a box o, o, Figure 11, Sheet 2,
to preserve the ball entire; this is done when the plant is lifted out of the
hole by the bottom of the box being laid on the ground close by it, and the
'spades and plant being set upon it, the sides of the box are put round the ball
secured at the corners; the earth is then filled in to the vacuum (if any)
between the ball and the box, and the box having more level than the ball,
act as a wedge power to keep it entire; the spades are removed, and 'the
earth well beat in and made up to the top of the box; two strong boards are
then laid in the inside of the box, one on each side of the plant, each having
a semicircle cut therein to give room for the stem; a bar of wood is laid
across the top of these, projecting over the side of the box; a bolt with a hook
at the one end and a screw on the other takes hold of the bottom, and passes
up through the bar across the top of the box, and being screwed up makes all
tight enough to prevent anything from giving way.
In lifting, removing, and preserving young trees and shrubs, using of a
trench; suppose the ball of earth to be twenty inches square, a trench is cut
round the ball a little deeper than the roots; the sides of a bevilled case are
'put round it, secured at the corners. It is then turned over on its side, and a
'bottom put' underneath, after adjusting which the earth is well beat in, and
made up to the top of the box. Two strong boards are then laid in the inside

page_text: of the box, on each side of the plant, each having a semicircle to give room
for the stem. A bar of wood is laid across on the top of these, projecting
over the sides of the box; a bolt with a hook at one and a screw at the other,
takes hold of the bottom, and passes up through the bar across the top of the
box, and being screwed up, makes all tight. It may then be lifted out by
men, and put on a barrow, and wheeled to the place where it is to be planted.
The pit being dug, it is then put in, and the screws which bind the bottom and
the top are let go, and the box is turned over on its side, and the bottom. and top
removed, and the ball adjusted to its proper place. The earth is then filled in
opposite the centre of the case, keeping the corners clear, the fastenings at
which are now let go, and the earth all filled in round about. The sides are
then drawn up, and the earth pressed in, which finishes the operation.
With reference to excavations, drains, foundations, or pits, suppose the
drain to be six feet deep and two feet wide at top and one foot at bottom, a
frame of T iron, ten feet long and two feet wide, is then laid upon the top of
of drain. Cutters or spades are driven in by mallet screws, or any other
means most suitable. A bar of iron or wood is then placed across the handles
of the cutters, and extensors with a right and left hand screw are applied to.
each end of these, which acts upon the spades as a lever, and the frame as the
fulcrum, to compress the earth. Two tresses are then put at each side of the
drain; two beams of wood, with a hole in the centre for the screws to pass
through, are laid across them, through which the screw being passed, takes
hold of the end of the frame, and the screws are then put in motion, and the
mass raised a sufficient height to allow the drain to be formed with stones or
tiles. It being finished, the mass is lowered down, and the frame removed.
the length of itself, and the same operation is gone through, and so on. until
the whole drain is formed. The same principle is applicable to digging
formation pits or removing masses of earth.
I now proceed to describe that part of my Invention applicable to the pre-
servation of houses and other buildings while lifting or removing the same.
The earth is dug outside and inside of the house a sufficient depth to allow a
beam of wood o, o, Figure 2, Sheet 5, and Figure 3, Sheet 6, to be laid
down with iron rails attached to the upper side, thus forming a railway for a
carriage to run upon, and also forming the first part of the foundations for
bearing the weight of the whole mass. The house is then bound together
by applying upright beams p, p, or logs of wood at each corner, and along the
whole out and inside of the walls and gable, at sufficient distances from each
other, with cross bindings g, g. The binding of the logs and the house
together at the same time is done by applying screws to the inside of the logs,

page_text: which keeps the walls from falling out or in. A beam of wood r, r, the whole
length of the house, with wheels attached to the under side, is then set on to
the rails already laid, which serves as part of the carriage for the mass, and as
a bearing for the foundation of wood now required to be put under the house
for the purpose of supporting the walls, and inside of the house, it will be
necessary to get in a floor composed of logs of wood or beams of iron, suffi-
ciently strong to carry the house. To accomplish this, the safeset plan is to
commence at the centre of the side walls, and slap a hole of sufficient size to
admit of the log of wood 8, 8, Figure 3, Sheet 6, or beam of iron being put in
with ease, and the same operation is also wrought on the partitions and walls
in the inside of the house. When there is a sufficient hole made right
through from side to side, the log of wood or beam of iron is then put in, and
rests at each end on the carriage laid down. The space now formed between
the upper bed of the log and the under rail of the walls and partitions is made
up by driving in iron wedges in the manner of plug and feather, and in like
manner the slapping of the walls and partitions, and putting in logs of
wood or beams of iron, and wedging up the spaces are continued until the
whole house from end to end be undermined, and resting upon the flooring.
The floor and log of wood with the wheels underneath, already referred to, are
then bound together by bolting them, and thus form a complete carriage.
The house and carriage are then bound together by placing beams t, t,
Figure 3, Sheet 6, across the top of the house, projecting over the side walls a
sufficient length for giving strength to attach a screw rod, u, u, Figure 3,
Sheet 6, through the end, passing down and taking hold of the beam with the
wheels on which the floor rests; when a sufficient number of beams and screws
have been applied, which will vary in number according to the size of the
house and other circumstances, they are wrought up sufficiently tight to
prevent anything from giving way. Rails are then laid in such a manner as
will insure the safe propelling of the whole mass along them. The moving
power is then applied, which usually consists of block and tackle attached to
piles made fast at a convenient distance from the mass; the end of the rope is
then passed over the winches, which are securely fixed to the end of the
carriage on which the mass rests; the winches are then put in motion, which
propels the mass along the rails; as soon as it has got entirely clear of the log
of rails on which it rested, the propelling power is stopped, and these logs
removed to the front, which makes another extension of the railroad, and so on
until it arrives at its destination. It will be necessary to make up a new
foundation, the exact dimensions of the house and inside partitions; the rails
are then laid down on the out and inside of the new foundation in the same

page_text: manner as was done with the old; the propelling power is then applied, and
the mass is moved forward over the top of the new foundation and the exact
spot necessary for it to stand. The propelling power is now dispensed with,
and the wedges which were put in to secure the side walls and partitions are
then removed from off one of the centre logs, which, of course, relieves it of
its burthen; it may then be removed with ease. The space now formed between
the top of the new foundations and the under bed of the wall or partitions is
built up with sufficient solidity and in such style as the old work may require,
and then wedged up firmly, so as to insure it from giving way; the operation is
of course continued to each log until they are all removed from underneath,
and the house resting on the new foundation. The power that binds the
house to the carriage is now removed, as also that which binds the out and
inside of the walls together, which finishes the operation.
Having now described the nature of my Invention for "The Application of:
certain Mechanical Powers for Lifting, Removing, and Preserving Trees,
Houses, and other Bodies," and the manner the same is to be carried into
practical effect, I wish to observe that while I do not claim any of the parts,
portions, tools, or other adjuncts, as regards the use thereof for other purposes
than those recited as of my Invention, and not for those purposes except in so
far as they are used in combination with other parts, or with each other, nor
do I confine myself to any proportions, sizes, or description of tools or
adjuncts used for the purposes herein-before described, as tools and adjuncts
varying from those herein set forth in sizes and proportions may be used
without departing from the principle of my Invention, which I consider to be,
and I claim,
Firstly, the combinations, materials, and mechanical means for the purpose
of securely removing trees or other bodies from one place to another, without
the aid of a trench, as herein-before described, Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 1, and 1 to
15, Sheet 2.
Secondly, the combinations of materials and mechanical means with the aid
of a trench or trenches for the purpose of securely removing trees or other
bodies from one place to another, as herein-before described.
Thirdly, the combinations of materials and mechanical means for the purpose
of securely removing buildings or other bodies, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stewart McGlashan, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two.
STEWART
(L.S.)
MCGLASHEN,

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-seventh day of October,
in the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Stewart McGlashen came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.