EXCAVATING OR DIGGING EARTH, AND FOR
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Joseph Curtis, of 23, Birchin Lane,
in the City of London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
for the Invention of "EXCAVATING OR DIGGING EARTH, AND FOR
Sealed the 23d March 1853, and dated the 21st January 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Josephi
Curtis at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st January 1858.
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH CURTIS, of 23, Birchin Lane, in the City of
London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "EXCAVATING OR DIGGING EARTH,
AND FOR CARRYING AND DELIVERING THE SOn," to be as follows:-
The purpose to which this machine will be principally employed will
be in forming the cuttings and excavations for railways and other roads,
docks, harbours, &c. The machine will be worked by steam. The
boiler, like a locomotive boiler, will be mounted on a suitable frame; and
the engines will give motion to picks, formed like the stampers of an
A

page_text: ore-crushing mill, but the ends will be formed with points, or shaped
like gouges, or in other suitable forms, to cut or break up the soil:
then, as the machine is gradually dragged forwards by a chain coiling
round a barrel, worked by the machinery, somewhat like a dredging
machine, or by other means, the loosened soil will be taken up by
means of a series of buckets, like a dredging machine, and the soil
lifted up will be delivered by means of a shoot on to the bank or into
a cart or truck; or by means of a series of trays, forming an endless
band, working at right angles with the lifting buckets, the soil may be
delivered either a few yards from the machine or one hundred yards,
more or less, either up hill or on a level; also light trucks running
upon a suitable frame of rails can be used for the same purpose, and
for a longer distance. This apparatus may be made to work in a line
parallel with the machine, if so found necessary. The whole of these
operations I purpose working by the power of the locomotive engine.
The frame of the machine will be supported on broad wheels or rollers
running upon planks or timbers so as to sustain the great weight of
the apparatus over the ground.
This apparatus may be employed in digging for gold or other purpose,
and for delivering the soil at the washing place; or the washing tables,
or apparatus for extracting the gold, may be connected with the machine
and be carried along with it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Joseph Curtis, in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 21st July 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM JOSEPH CURTIS, of 23, Birchin Lane, in the City of London,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Joseph Curtis, Her special

page_text: licence that I, the said William Joseph Curtis, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Joseph Curtis, my executors, 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 "EXCAVATING OR DIGGING EARTH, AND FOR CARRYING OR
DELIVERING THE SOIL," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Joseph Curtis, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, 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 Joseph Curtis, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the drawings
hereto annexed, that is to say:
No. 1. The first modification of my Invention is shown in Plates 1, 2, 3;
in which Figure 1, Plate 1, is a side elevation; Figure 1, Plate 2, an end
elevation; and Figure 1, Plate 3, a plan of a machine for excavating a
canal or a cutting for a road or railroad. The same letters refer to
corresponding parts in each drawing. A, A, is a powerful frame,
supported upon the wheels E, E, E, which run upon a rail fixed to the
wide and strong planks or timbers 9, 9, placed upon the ground, whereby
the great weight of the machine is sustained, and the machine is easily
moved along the rails or planks by the means to be hereafter described.
B, B, is an upper traversing frame, supported upon the wheels D, D,
running upon the rails fixed to the timbers C, C, traversing the length
crosswise of the lower frame A; and by means of the wheels a, b, c,
connected with the bearing wheels D, D, the frame is easily traversed
across the lower frame A, A, at will. H, is a steam boiler, similar to a
locomotive boiler, in which the engines I, I, are fixed in the usual way,

page_text: (of course, any other form of engine and boiler adapted for the purpose
may be employed,) which work the main crank shaft K. Upon this shaft
the wheel L', is hung, shown in the plan, which works into the wheels
M, fixed on the cam shaft which carries the cams n, n, which lift the
picks O, the lower end 2, of which are formed with points like pick axes,
or crow bars, or other suitable shape, which break up the hard ground.
Q, Q, are two bevil wheels, which drive the shaft S. Upon this shaft are
hung the bevil pinions 13, 13, which work into the wheel 14. A clutch
being placed in the usual way upon the shaft S, between the pinions,
the wheel 14, is turned in the right direction or thrown out of gear,
whatever may
be the moving direction of the shaft S. The wheel T,
fixed on the same shaft as the bevil wheel 14, drives the wheel U, fixed
on the shaft carrying the poligons upon which the chain of dredging
buckets works. As seen in each of the plates, the dredging buckets are
formed in four separate chains, and any number of chains may be made
to work round the same polygonal or other drum. Cams or snugs are
formed upon the drums, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, Plate 1, which
work like teeth into the chains, and thus keep the chains in their place
laterally, as well as assist the action of the drums in lifting the load. X,
is the suspending chain or tackle of pulleys by which the ladder of
buckets is raised or let down into the ground; the chain or fall coils
round the barrel Y, worked by the wheel z, which wheel is worked by
the wheel Z, hung upon the fly-wheel shaft. 2, is the wheel hung on
the main shaft, driving the wheel 1, hung upon the fly-wheel shaft,
which gives a rapid motion to the fly wheel 3. 4, is a wheel working
into the wheel L, hung on the main crank shaft, which, by means of
the intermediate wheels 5, and 6, works the wheels 7, hung upon the
lying shaft f, which traverses the cross length of the frame A, A;
whereby, in whatever position the traversing frame may be, by means
of the pinion 8, the wheels 9 and 10, hung upon the spindle carrying
the drums 11, and 12, are turned round, and the ropes 22, and 23, are
coiled round the drums, and the entire machine is drawn forwards or
backwards, as may be required. 15, is a parabolic drum fixed on the
end of the shaft S, upon which the rope 21, works, which, in like
manner, working round the parabolic drum 16, upon the shaft of which

page_text: a drum 17, is hung, around which passes the web or chain of trays or
buckets 18, which receive and deliver the soil. A pulley or rigger 24,
shown in the Plates 2, and 3, serves as a tightening pulley to keep the
rope 21, tight, and to carry it from the parabolic drum 16, to the driving
drum 15. The end pulley or drum 31, may be fixed in a frame, and
made to extend by means of a screw or other suitable apparatus, so as
to tighten the web or band of trays or buckets. 18, 19, are the rollers
which carry the chain of trays or buckets; 20, is the frame in which
the chain of buckets or trays works; 22, and 23, are the ropes con-
nected with the drums 11, and 12, the ends of which being fixed to a
post or anchor or other immoveable object, when coiling round the
barrels, the machine is drawn towards the fixed object, and thus any
movement forwards or backwards is effected. The drums run loose upon
their axles, and thus either a progressive motion is given to the machine,
or it can be made to stand still by the drums being thrown out of gear.
The chains or belt upon which the buckets or trays are fixed may be
made either like a pitched chain in common use, working round a
polygon or cam wheel, or it may be formed of a flat wire rope, or web
of strong cloth or gutta percha, or in other suitable manner. A tight-
ening frame, governed by a screw or other suitable means, is provided, so
as to keep the web of the trays or buckets tight, so that the train may
be worked by the friction of the barrel 17; and where the lead is so
long that this method will not suffice to work the web, then the rope 21,
passing over all the train of buckets, and passing round the drums at
each end of the frame, resting in guides or notches, or in the trays or
buckets, as shewn in Figures 4, 5, 6, Plate 1, a very long lead may be
worked without difficulty; also a train of waggons in a suitable frame
may be substituted for the train of buckets, as shewn in Figures 2, and 3,
Plate 1; Figure 2, being a side view, and Figure 3, an end view of
such a train of trucks or waggons; 20, being the framing in which the
train works; 18, the trucks or waggons; 15, the driving parabolic
drum around which the rope 21, works. e, e, are two sheaves, which
guide the rope 21, from the waggons to the drum 15. Upon each
waggon a species of notch or fingers a, radiating from one or both
axles, is provided, in which the driving rope 21, falls, and knots or stops

page_text: being formed upon the rope at intervals, the rope may run through the
notch till the knot or stop catches it, when the waggons will be drawn
along at each end of the frame discs. a, a, hung upon the shafts d, d,
are placed coinciding with the space within the wheels of the waggons;
also circular arcs c, c', coinciding with the external distance between
the wheels, and the pulleys or sheaves b, 61, hung on the shafts d, d',
coinciding with the distance within the axles, around which the rope 21,
passes. When the loaded waggons arrive at the end of the frame, as
shewn, they turn over, discharge their contents, and return bottom
upwards, turn over at the other end of the frame, are dragged towards
the drum 15; the rope and knot or stop, after passing the pulley e¹, is
withdrawn from the notch of the waggons; when it stops under the
delivering shoot of the machine the succeeding waggon pushes it further,
and this second waggon is also pushed forward by the succeeding
waggons there, when a knot or stop in the ropes, after passing the
sheave or pulley e, enters a notch a, of the loaded waggon it is carried
forward, discharged, returns bottom upwards, and then returns to the
shoot of the machine, as before described. This apparatus may be em-
ployed not only at right angles with the machine, but in the line of the
machine itself, and for considerable length of lead.
The principle of this machine consists in a series of picks like
stampers breaking up the soil, and a train of buckets following, lifting
up the loose earth, discharges it into a series of buckets, trays, or waggons
working horizontally or at an angle, by which the excavated soil is
carried to embankment, or discharged at any convenient point from the
spot whence it was taken up, as may be perceived by inspection of the
drawings. Any number of picks may be employed to cover any width of
cut, and the buckets are so arranged that they take the ground and
discharge in succession; thus any width of ground may be dredged,
although the buckets be narrow, which overlopping or covering each
other, a clean trench is made.
Figure 2, Plate 2, is a side elevation, and Figure 3, a front view of the
delivering trays or buckets. In this case, supposing that an embankment
is-formed, piles 25, are driven at intervals into the bank, upon which
are fixed rails 26, upon which the roller 27, sustaining the end of the

page_text: frame 20, runs: then the soil being discharged as the web of buckets
passes round the drum, as shown, the soil is delivered means of the
inclined board or shoot 29, at any point within the cross section of the
embankment. By means of the suspending chains 30: the angle of the
board or shoot is adjusted. The range or circle formed by the end of
the board is denoted by the dotted circular line 31.
Figure 4, Plate 2, shows a side view of the trays or buckets, in
which instance the inner edge of the one tray or bucket overlaps that
of the contiguous one, so that when under the discharging shoot of the
great buckets no soil will pass between the buckets and be lost.
An intermediate support or prop is placed between the bearing wheels
upon which the machine rests, at about 25 feet from the supporting
wheels and from each other; because, the weight of the frame and
machinery being very great, without such support it would be difficult
to sustain the weights of the apparatus. These supports run upon
planks, or planks and rails, placed in the track of the machine, which
must be moved as the machine traverses the canal or cutting; thus
two being placed within a few feet of each other, when one is required
to be removed the other is brought down by the screw upon the plank
or rail, and thus solidity is imparted to the main frame A. Figure 4,
Plate 2, is a front view; Figure 2, Plate 3, a side view; and Figure 3,
a plan of this support, which consists of a wheel or roller 32, running
upon the plank and rail, as shown, which roller or wheel is supported
in a strong frame 33, suitably sustained in guides in the frame A; the
screw 34, working in the nut or block 85, secured to the main framing
of A, when the prop or support is screwed down by means of the
block 34, fastened to the framing carrying the roller, the frame and
wheel are forced down upon the plank, and thus assist in carrying the
weight of th apparatus.
As shown in the Plan, Plate 3, ropes in connection with the drums
11, and 12, pass along the machine and over sheaves or pulleys, so
that the machine may be governed from as many points as may be
desirable; and the same arrangement is applied to the delivering frame of
trays or buckets, so that the delivering frame, whatever its length, may
be made to keep pace or register with the machine; but every separate

page_text: rope should be connected with a separate drum, which, being con-
nected with its axle or shaft by means of a clutch, may be thrown in
or out of gear at will, so that any separate rope may be tightened or
adjusted alone. The two drums turning round in opposite directions, the
machine can be advanced or backed without reference to any other
part of the machine. The section and dotted lines in Plate 2, indicate
the cross section of a canal or cutting. In some cases this form of
construction will be found advantageous in the excavation of docks or
other like works when the distance from bank to bank would not be so
great as to make the spanning frame too cumbersome. In such cases,
it may be advisable not only to employ the subsidiary sustaining props
or supports described and shown, but to drive lines of piles upon which
the spanning frame and soil-delivering apparatus may be supported and
governed.
No. 2. Another modification of my Invention is shown in Plate 4;
Figure 1, being a side elevation; Figure 2, a front clevation; and
Figure 8, a plan of a machine for cutting a drain or trench in the
ground. A, is a steam-engine, upon wheels similar to those in common
use for agricultural and other purposes. x, a, are the hind wheels of
the engine, to which are attached the ratchet or cog wheels B, b, b.
C, is an upright lever, working on a centre fixed to the boiler, and the
upper end connected with the cross head of the engine on one side; and
the corresponding lever C, on the other side of the boiler, is connected
by a link with a crank pin in the fly wheel, whereby a rocking motion
is produced by the action of the engine. By means of links D, D',
motion is given to the radial rods e, e, working on the centre axles of
the wheels a, or on a pivot above the axis, the upper end performing
arches of circles corresponding with the circumference of the ratchet
wheels B, b, b. The palls or rachets f, f, fall or take into the teeth of the
ratchet wheels, and a slow progressive movement is given to the wheels,
and engine and machine, to which it is attached. For backing the engine,
the palls take on the opposite side of the radial rods, and the machine
will be backed without reversing the engines; also in some cases I employ
an apparatus fixed in front of the boiler, like a crab or crane barrel,
which, by means of a wheel fixed on the barrel shaft, working into a

page_text: pinion on the crank or shaft working into a pinion on the erank shaft, one
end of a rope is fixed to the barrel, the other end to some fixed
object in advance, so that when the rope is drawn in by being
coiled round the barrel, the engine and machine is dragged for-
ward. 9, is a bevil pinion working into the wheel h, fixed on the
lying shaft i, connected, by means of the universal joint K, with the
cam shaft I, upon which the lifting cams o, o, o, are hung. p, p, arc
vertical bars or picks, lifted by the cams acting upon stops or studs 8, s,
fixed to the picks, in the same way as ordinary stampers: the lower
end of the picks are formed with points, or chisel shaped, or like gouges,
or in other suitable modes adapted for the various kinds of soil to be
operated upon. By the action of the picks, the ground is broken up. In
this instance, the machine is supposed to be applied to the excavation
of a trench in the public highway. The first or leading series of picks
digs about eight inches into the hard or macadamized surface; the
scoop or shovel q, follows, somewhat like a ploughshare, but is formed
with sides like a box, which, being firmly fixed to the lower cross
timbers of the machine framing, as the machine is dragged forward,
takes up the loosened soil, and discharges it on one side of the trench;
then the following series of picks dig down about sixteen inches into
the softer soil, and the scoop or shovel 7, following, as in the former
instance, discharges the soil on the opposite side of the trench, leaving
a clean trench or drain. If it be found desirable, any number of series
of picks and shovels may be employed, so as to reduce the depth to
which the picks dig, or to increase the depth of the trench. The picks
are guided by perforated iron plates v, v, shown clearly in the Plan, by
which it will be seen that every portion of surface to be broken up
will be operated upon by the picks. The machine is supported on
wheels w, w, w, w, the front wheels working on a pivot, like a waggon,
connected by the drag link t, to the engine. The universal joint k, is
provided to allow for the varying positions in which the machine and
engine will assume as they pass along the ground together.
Figures 4, and 5, are enlarged views of the lower end of the picks,
which could not be shown on the small scale of the former Figures. These
are formed with joints, as shown, similar to that employed.for a common

page_text: vice, or a rule joint. a, a, is the double joint; p, the upper single joint,
which are connected by means of the pin 6; then the spring d, acting
upon the tail c, of the upper joint, causes the lower joint to shut hard
against the knee or face of the upper one, and to form a straight line
with it; then, when the bar is let fall by the cam, it strikes the soil with
the same force and solidity as if it had been an unbroken bar; but, as
the machine is in motion during the short space of time the pick is in
the ground, the joint gives way, and the lower joint assumes the posi-
tions denoted by the dotted line in Figure 4; and when the cam lifts
the pick, the spring d, acting on the tail c, causes the joint to assume
a straight line with the superior end of the bar, as has been described.
This provision is essential when the speed of the machine is, as is sup-
posed in this instance, about three feet in a minute over the ground,
and the trench narrow and deep; but if the machine, as in that described
for a canal or railway, has a slow motion forwards, and makes a wide
and shallow cut, then the picks do not require this joint. This appa-
ratus may be employed in making the drains and forming public or
other roads or other reads; the soil may be delivered from the drains
upon the road, by the soil delivered from the shovels 9, q¹¹, being re-
ceived upon a web of cloth or other material, working at right angles
with the excavating machine, which apparatus being governed in its
traversing movements by the usual machinery adapted for that purpose,
the road could be thus soiled or round-ridged with facility.
No. 3. Another modification of my Invention is shown in Plate 5; in
which Figure 1, is the side elevation; Figure 2, plan; and Figure 3,
a front view of a machine for filling in the trench cut by the machine
described under Number 2. A, is the framing of the machine; B, the
cross timbers which carry the cam shaft C; D, D', are the lifting cams
of the stampers e, e¹; F, is a roller or wheel, supporting the greater
portion of the weight of the machine, and which runs in the trench,
and thus rolls or consolidates the soil previously rammed by the
stampers e; G, is a cog wheel, fixed upon the axle of the roller F, work;
ing into the wheel H, upon the shaft of which is hung the bevil wheel
K, working into the bevil wheel I, fixed upon the cam shaft C, which
turns it round; and by means of the cams D, D¹, the stampers e, e', are

page_text: lifted up. L, is a roller, slightly hollowed, as shown, which, following
the hinder stampers, serves to roll the upper surface of the road, and
also running when not in work upon the outer rings, these latter act as
wheels; and thus horses being attached to the frame N, in which the
roller L, works, which is furnished with the pin or pivot o, the machine
is guided with the same facility as a common waggon over the road.
M, M, are scrapers, which scrape or divert the loose soil into the
trench. The machine is supposed to be attached to the excavator
described under Number 2; but it may be made to form a part of the
same machine, the shaft C, being connected with the shaft b, of the
former described machine; or it may be worked by a separate engine.
In either of these two last cases, the wheels G, H, I, K, would be dis-
pensed with; and it may be found desirable in some cases to support
the machine upon wheels in the mode shown in Plate 4, using the
stampers only, and a roller similar to L. Studs are fixed upon the cir-
cumference of the roller Y, in order to increase its adhesion to the
ground, as by means of the friction it will be made to work the
stampers, the weight of which is very considerable. The scrapers M, M',
are attached to the cross timbers of the machine by iron straps or other
fastening.
The operation of this machine is evident. The machine being dragged
forwards, as before described, the scraper M, fills in the subsoil taken
out of the trench; this is rammed by the stampers e; then the
roller Y, follows, further consolidating the soil; then the scraper M³,
follows, filling in the hard stuff, which is rammed by the stampers e';
and the road is rolled into its proper form by the roller L. This
apparatus may be likewise advantageously employed in ramming,
rolling, and consolidating roads; in such case the stampers would
require merely to be increased in number and width, somewhat after
the mode described and shown under Number 1. Thus, the machine
having a slow movement forwards, and supported upon wheels, like the
machine described under Number 2, the road would be formed rapidly
and perfectly.
No. 4. Another modification of my Invention is shown in Plate 6,
which is a machine for excavating a dock, or other work, in the water.

page_text: A, is a dredging machine of the usual construction (requiring no par-
ticular description), floating in the water, connected with a vessel, punt,
or raft, on which the apparatus for delivering the soil is sustained,
which apparatus may be similar to that already described under
Number 1, and shewn in Plate 1. In this instance the apparatus is
worked by an independent engine C, placed in the vessel, punt, or
raft, carrying the delivering soil apparatus. The train of wheels work
connecting the apparatus with the engine C, is clearly shown in
Figures 1, and 2. The soil is delivered upon the land by means of the
end of the delivering apparatus being connected with the traversing
frame c, which runs by means of its supporting wheels on the track
formed by the timbers supported upon piles driven into the ground, as
shewn. The two delivering shoots f,f', are provided in order to deliver
the soil within a certain distance upon the bank, from the point at
which it is discharged from the web of trays, or buckets, or waggons.
At the intersection x, of the angles, a flap or board is provided, the axis
of which is the intersection of the two shoots. When thrown on the one
side, the soil is discharged along f, and when thrown on the other side
the soil is discharged along f¹. At certain distances along each shoot
flaps 1, 2, 3, 4, are provided, which, when opened, the soil falls through,
and may thus be made to cover the entire cross section of the embank-
ment. The rising framing g, of the delivering apparatus is connected
with the floating frame by means of a pivot or joint at W, so as to
compensate for the rise and fall of the tide; the other or seaward end
of the vessel, punt, or raft, is connected with the floating frame K,
along which it is made to move as the work of excavation proceeds.
b, b, are piles driven into the ground, which keep the frame K, in its
place. Sufficient space is left for the floating frame to work by the
clongation of the line formed the frame g, as it rises and falls by
the action of the tide. The axle of the frame g, and that of the dis-
charging drum of the delivering apparatus are in the same line as
shewn. When the dredging machine has completed one cut or furrow
it is drawn back by the rope i, fixed to the floating frame K, being
coiled round the barrel h; at the same time, or previously, a side
movement, equal to the breadth of a new cut or furrow, is given to the

page_text: vessel, punt, or raft, by means of one of the ropes coiling round the
drums u, u', connected with the engine C; then a corresponding move-
ment being given to the traversing apparatus by means of the hand
motion y, or by ropes acted upon by the engine, as before described, and
then the dredging engine resumes its work. In some cases the dredging
apparatus may be made double, so as to work backwards and for-
wards; or a species of scraper being placed in front of the excavating
buckets, the buckets will fill, although the machine is warped back-
wards. In some cases, where the ground is so hard that it cannot be
excavated by the dredging buckets alone, I employ picks, as described
under No. 1, in advance, and in connexion with the dredging buckets;
and in order to compensate for the action upon the machinery, caused by
the roll or swell of the water, the lower ends of the bars or beams
forming the picks are made with double joints, as shown in Plate 5,
to be hereafter described; also, in some cases, the picks connected with
the dredging buckets are placed on either or both sides of the dredging
buckets, and the dredging engine warped sideways to and fro; thus
with a single ladder of buckets working in both directions, the dredging
engine and vessel, punt, or raft containing the delivering apparatus, are
connected by the hook and ledge shown in Figure 3; the ledge running
the whole length of the vessel, punt, or raft, so that the dredging and
delivering apparatus are kept in connexion throughout the progress of
the dredging engine to and from the bank. The form of picks adapted
for this machine are shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, of Plate 5; Figure 4,
being a side view, and Figure 5, a front view of a pick. A, is the
timber or guide in which the pick works; B, the lifting cams; C, the
lifting block, in which the wedge d, taking into the ratchet e, is con-
fined. G, are joints, as before described under No. 2; but in this
case are double, and placed at right angles to each other, thus forming
a kind of universal joint, so that it gives way, when in the ground, in
every direction; but when withdrawn it forms a straight bar, and
strikes the ground with the solidity of an unbroken bar. The action
of this pick is that the lifting block, instead of being fixed to the bar,
slides loose upon it, and when disengaged from the cams falls inde-
pendently of the bar, and rests upon the stop or timber A, as shown

page_text: by the dotted lines, the wedged block falling back by its weight beyond
the range of the ratchets e; so that, supposing the vessel to roll or pitch,
or to rise or fall, and the pick resting upon the ground, the loose block
will always be in a proper position for a new lift from the cams; also,
supposing the pick to encounter any obstacle, such as a stone or rock,
it will, by this method, always have the effect of the full fall to be
produced by the action of the cam. When the cams takes the wedge,
it forces it upwards until it reaches one of the ratchets, when the pick
is lifted, and the pick is discharged in the usual way by the revolution
of the cams. And, supposing, by the swell of the sea, the vessel should
rise during the fall of the pick, the block e, resting upon the stop a,
would leave the pick free to descend any requisite depth; and, in like
manner, if the vessel sunk by the action of the tide or swell, no adjust-
ment would be necessary to accommodate the pick and cam to the
altered circumstances of the case, but the apparatus will be in all cases
self-adjusting.
Another mode of forming the loose block is shown in Figure 6,
and 7; Figure 6, being a side view, and Figure 7, a front view of
the apparatus. In this case the wedge is substituted by the catch d
working on a pin in the loose block. When the cam comes in contact
with the tail of the catch, it causes it to lock into a ratch of the pick,
and the pick is thus lifted and discharged by the revolving cam; the
pick falls; the catch throws itself out of gear by the tail being heavier
than the point, or depressed by a spring, the block resting upon the
frame or stop a, as before described; thus, when the cam takes the
tail of the catch, it locks with a ratch of the pick, as before described.
Another mode of forming the loose block is shewn in Figure 8,
and 9; Figure 8, being a side view, and Figure 9, a front view. In
this case the block is lifted by the cam, taking upon a stud or studs
upon the loose block, and the catch d, being brought into contact with
the ratchets e, by a spring or other means; then the pick is discharged
by the tail of the catch acting on its ascent against a stop, or fixed
part of the framing, and the catch withdrawn from contact with the
ratchet, when the pick falls; then, a short interval afterwards, the loose
block is released from the cam, when it falls, and, being stopped by the
-

page_text: block A, is lifted as the cam comes round. In this case, supposing the
vessel to sink before the cam takes the block, the catch would take so
many ratchets as was due to the fall of the vessel; then, supposing the
vessel to rise before the cam took the block, the pick would have been
raised a certain distance by the rise of the vessel, in order to com-
pensate for the rise and fall of the tide upon the actions of the dredg-
ing apparatus. The end of the fall of pulleys, by which the ladder of
buckets is sustained, is fastened to a barrel or crab Z, which is con-
nected with the dredging engine by the train of wheel work shown in
Figure 5. Thus, when the tide is rising, the chain or fall is gradually
let out, and the buckets lowered; and, as the tide falls, the chain or
fall is gradually drawn in, and the ladder raised; and by this apparatus
being timed with the tide, which it can approximately be made to do
by the riggers, the buckets may be made always to excavate a hori-
zontal line, however the tide may vary. It is necessary, however, that
a means of observation should be provided whereby the engineer may
ascertain that the compensating apparatus works correctly; and this is
done by means of the vertical staff o, which is connected by a joint or
pin with the lower end, and as near as practicable with the tumbler or
polygon wheel around which the dredging buckets work this staff is
kept in a vertical position, like a float, by means of the weight hung
below the point of suspension; then two horizontal or level sights, or an
ordinary levelling instrument, being fixed upon the staff, which, if
found convenient, may be made to slide along the rod for the purposes
of adjustment,) a man looking across these sights, or through the
levelling instrument, and observing that the sights coincide with some
predetermined mark on a pile l, l', or other object, will be able to
observe if the apparatus works correctly. If the sight on the float is
higher than the mark, the ladder must be let down; if lower, the ladder
must be raised; and any change may be then made in the speed of the
compensating gearing found necessary, coinciding with a mark fixed on a
pile as at b, b. If the sight as above the mark, the buckets must be let down
lower; and if the sight is below the mark, the buckets must be lifted. Then
the guiding mark being lowered as the work is deepened, the opera-
tion will be enabled to excavate the work with all requisite precision

page_text: and accuracy. Figure 4, is an enlarged view of the apparatus for warping
the dredging machine, shown also clearly on a small scale in Figure 1,
and 2; as is also that of the compensating apparatus for the buckets.
No. 5. Another modification of my Invention is shown in Plate 7; in
which Figure 1, is an clevation; Figure 2, plan of machine to excavate
soft land not requiring the aid of the picks; Figures 3, 4, 5, show
parts of the apparatus on a larger scale, which will be more particularly
described hereafter. A, is a boiler similar to that of a locomotive,
fixed upon a traversing frame, running upon rails C, laid on timbers
built upon piles, similar in the general arrangements to that before
described under No. 34. D, are the engines which drive the machinery;
E, a wheel fixed on the crank shaft, driving the wheels F, and G.
Upon the axis of G, is hung the barrel H, around which the rope P,
attached to the plough, coils; and by means of the bevil wheels W, hung
on the horizontal shaft of F, and the vertical shaft of the drum or
polygon J, the drum or polygon is worked, around which passes the
web or train of trays or buckets, and forming the apparatus for carrying
and delivering the soil. L, is the framing of the delivering apparatus,
supported over the ground by the rollers or broad wheels m, m. A
similar roller or wheel n, is supplied to the hanging frame from the
traversing frame, running upon the ground or on a plank or rail along
the edge of the cut or bank. O, is the plough, which will be more
particularly described and shown under Figures 3, 4, 5. The plough
is drawn to and fro by means of the ropes p, p, connected with the
machinery at either end of the ground. The plough is governed by the
steering apparatus v. A man sits upon the plough, and guides the
plough by means of the wheel, which will be more particularly described
hereafter. Q, are barrels, around which coil the rope S, which are
employed to give a lateral movement to the apparatus; these ropes pass
over sheaves or pulleys to other sheaves U, placed upon vertical stan-
dards, fixed to the framing L, of the soil delivering apparatus, one end
of each rope being fixed to some immoveable object, when the ropes
are drawn in by the machine. The framing L, and plough and appa-
ratus, are dragged sideways, so that the plough, assisted by the man
guiding the plough, may take a new cut or furrow. R, are the wheels

page_text: driving the barrels Q, a separate barrel being provided for each rope;
and one set of ropes coiling to the right and the other to the left hand.
Each separate point of the frame L, may be governed or adjusted, not
only to keep it straight, but also to enable the plough to perform curves
in its course. The plough is connected with and supported at the
centre by the framing L, by means of the wheels F, F, shown clearly
in the large Figures. The connexion between the horizontal framing
L, and the hanging framing depending from the traversing frame,
which the delivering frame apparatus passes over, is formed by means
of supplemental pieces or timbers v, v', which are adjusted as the cutting
deepens; thus making an entire frame. The web or train is supported
on wheels or rollers, somewhat similar to those before described; but
in this instance the trays or buckets work side by side, and of course in
opposite directions, as shown by the arrows, whereby the apparatus is
kept low and more portable than in the apparatus before described under
Nos. 1, and 2; but that apparatus may be used, if found desirable; but, in
that case, the soil would require to be lifted higher than in the apparatus
described, and shown in Plate 7. As will be seen by inspection of the
Figures in this plate, the plough is formed double at each end, in order
that it may plough backwards and forwards, or whether it works in the
direction shown by the arrow Z, or in the reverse direction; thus, all
loss of time from turning the plough is avoided; and of course a single
plough may be used, if desired. It will be seen that the engines,
traversing frames, and apparatus at either end, are duplicates of each
other; therefore, the description given applies equally to both of them.
Figure 3, is an enlarged side view of the plough and delivering appa-
ratus; Figure 4, a plan, and Figure 5, an end or front view. A, is
the framing of the plough; B, the front supporting wheels, which may
be made adjustable in the same way as the wheels of a common plough.
c, c', are the coulters, which are double, as in some common ploughs.
D, is the plough share and shovel which receives and lifts the soil,
which, rising (as the plough is drawn forwards) along the inclined
bottom a, is at length discharged at E, into the trays or buckets K. A
shield H, is provided, supported or sustained from the beam G, which
covers the
space between the trays or buckets; and thus the two buckets

page_text: are charged with the soil, and no loss takes place between them at the
centre. The plough is sustained by the wheels F, F, by which also the
plough and frame L, are kept in contact. The buckets or trays K,
may be either square or as drawn, which shape facilitates the discharge
of the soil when the buckets pass round the drum or polygon J. The
web or chain connecting the trays or buckets may be made, as before
described, of a wire rope or pitched chain, and formed, if found neces-
sary, with a rule joint, so that the chain may be as inflexible as possible
when carrying its load; and the projections may take into recesses in
the drum or polygon, so that a long lead may be worked, or the buckets
themselves, being placed at regular intervals, studs or projections
upon the drum I, may pass or enter between them; and thus the same
object may be attained of a powerful hold by the drum upon the train.
At the point where the line of buckets diverge, a few feet before reaching
the drum, as seen in Figure 2, the buckets pass over inclined rollers,
which gradually change the buckets from a horizontal to a vertical
position; in which position they pass half round the drum, and then
again resume their horizontal positions, and descend to the plough again.
The lower edge of the drum J, is formed with a flange or ledge, upon
which the angular side of the buckets rest as they pass round the drum.
It will be thus clear, as shown in Figure 1, that the soil will be dis-
charged at the embankment, as indicated in the drawing, for the
purpose of extending the width of the embankment after a certain
space has been made. Another row of piles may be driven behind
the former, and the machine transferred thus to a new track; or another
range of trays, worked in the manner described under No. 1, may be
provided, and the soil carried to a considerable distance from the point
whence it was taken up. As before described, a man sits upon the
plough, and steers it by means of the steering wheel Q, like an ordinary
tiller. Upon the axis of this wheel is fixed the pinion O, working into
the wheel N. Upon the axle P, of this wheel is fixed the two small
barrels J, to which are fixed, in opposite directions, the ends of the
double drag rope P, P. Thus, when, by means of the wheel Q, the
barrels J, are made to turn, the corresponding ropes a, a, and y, y, on
cither side of the ploughs, are shortened or lengthened, and the plough

page_text: is canted or slewed round, and thus either driven into the land or off,
as may be required.
The mode of operation is as follows:-Supposing the requisite ad-
justment of the frame L, to have been made, the ploughman and
plough is drawn by one engine, whilst the other throws off the trailing-
rope; and, as the plough proceeds, the traversing frame is made to
move a distance equal to the breadth of the next furrow, and by means
of the ropes the delivery frame is moved in like manner; then when the
plough has completed its furrow or journey, the man transfers himself
to the opposite side of the plough. The engine at the opposite end of
the ground then draws in the trailing rope; the other rope is let loose;
then the man, by means of the steering apparatus, directs the plough
into a new furrow; at the same time the traversing frame, that
had formerly remained stationary, during the progress of the plough
towards it, is moved the breadth of another furrow, moving, by means
of the ropes attached to it, its half of the delivering frame and appa-
ratus; and the plough then takes another furrow and journey to the
other end of the field or work. These details of management may
be varied as found necessary. Sometimes it may be desirable for
the traversing frame to be wound so that it takes its lateral movement
as the plough approaches it; but, generally, the details described will
be found the best, as the pressure against the flanges of the sup-
porting wheels of the traversing frame will be very considerable, by
reason of the force required to drag the plough through the land.
The velocity of the buckets, or trays, or waggons ought to be slower
than the plough, so that the soil may be favourably received upon the
buckets or waggons. A signal, somewhat similar to a railway signal or
disc, moving on a centre bar or post, or with vanes, must be used, so
that the engineers may understand each other, and the ploughman
likewise.
The soil-delivering apparatus, described and shewn, may be in some
cases advantageously used for delivering the soil when the excavation is
made by hand labour; the navigators working in line. The apparatus
may keep pace with them; and instead of loading the soil into whicel-
barrows, the men may pitch the soil into the buckets or waggons as

page_text: they pass in constant motion, and by this means the soil may be carried
to embankment, whether worked by steam, or horse, or other power.
1. I claim as my Invention, the machinery and apparatus described
under No. 1, and shown in Plates 1, 2, 3; the employments of picks,
in combination with dredging buckets or other equivalent machinery
worked by steam, working upon a traversing frame, which frame moves
or works upon a cross frame, having a movement at right angles with
the traversing frame. Also, I claim as my Invention, the combination
of machinery and apparatus, of trays and buckets, or waggons or trucks,
as described and shown, for delivering the soil from the excavating
machine to a distance from the machine itself, whether at right angles
or in the direction of the machine.
2. I claim as my Invention, the machinery and apparatus described
under No. 2, and shown in Plate 4; the employment of picks and
shovels and soil delivering apparatus, worked by steam, as described
and shewn, for cutting trenches or drains, and for making roads.
3. I claim as my Invention, the machinery and apparatus described
under No. 3, and shown in Plate 5; the employment of stampers
and rollers, either jointly or separately, as described and shown, worked
by steam, for filling-in, ramming, and rolling (jointly or severally)
public roads or other grounds.
4. I claim as my Invention, the machinery and apparatus described
under No. 4, and shown in Plates 5, and 6; the employment of a
dredging engine in combination with the soil delivering apparatus,
described and shown, for excavating and delivering the soil from a
dock or other work. I claim, likewise, the floating indicator, as
described and shown; likewise, I claim the employment of picks in
combination with a dredging engine in the same vessel. I claim, like-
wise, the mode of forming such picks, as described and shown, whether
in the same or in a separate vessel from the dredging engine.
5. I claim as my Invention, the machinery and apparatus described
under No. 5, and shown in Plate 7, for excavating land by means of a
plough, in combination with the apparatus for delivering the soil, as
described and shown. I claim also the quadruple plough, as described
and shown; also, the soil delivering apparatus, described and shown,

page_text: whether worked by steam or other power, when the excavation is per-
formed by hard labour.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Joseph Curtis, have here-
tofore set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
W. J. CURTIS. (L.S.)