Improved Process and Apparatus for the Protection of the Banks of Rivers, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Protection of the Banks
of Rivers, and the like.
I GIULIO SERRA ZANETTI of Castenaso near Bologna in the Kingdom of Italy,
Landowner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention has for its object to facilitate and secure the defence of river banks by.
means of apparatus formed of net work of galvanized iron wire.
This apparatus may be applied both to strengthen the banks of water courses, to
repair the damages thereof, and to turn the current by aid of breakwaters, as also to
fill up gaps, and to prevent the breaking away of the banks. The term "rivers"
includes that of mountain torrents. canals, and all such like watercourses, so that the
name of any of these may be employed indifferently as indicating the others.
According to the circumstances of the various kinds of work to be done, the force
of the current of water, the importance of the damages to be repaired, the quality and
quantity of the available materials, the apparatuses must have various forms and
composition but the fundamental principle is the same, and it consists in the
application of a woven network suitably prepared and properly applied, which by aid
of pebbles, broken stones, and straw, forms solid defences along the watercourses,
which serve to regulate the same, and to repair damage to the banks.
The form of these apparatuses, the method of preparing them, of immersing, and
of rendering them stable, are indicated by the diagrammatic figures of the drawings
attached to the present specification, the explanations of which will follow, regard
being had to the nature of the materials and their use.
Figure 1: The rudimentary network is preferably manufactured by machine in
the ordinary manner to form iron wire netting, galvanized, of suitable strength, and
proportionate to the material which is to be used for the filling of the bundles which
are formed by means of the said iron wire netting in the manner explained further
ou, care being taken that the interweaving of the iron wire be made by the simple
twisting of one wire upon the other, thus giving to the netting a great suppleness;
and enabling the apparatuses, strengthened with the said netting, to adapt them-
selves easily in case of need to all the irregular forms of the river banks or of the bed
of the river. The netting is usually strengthened by means of ribs a (Figure 2)
formed of thicker iron wire, and placed at a given distance one from the other, for
example, at say 50 centimetres apart. If this netting be bent on both sides around the
central rib, care being taken that the compartments shall form an even number,
the divisions will join well two by two, and then the two ribs may be laced together by
means of galvanized iron wire in such a manner as to formn small enclosures or
cylinders of which the shape is secured by means of round iron rings b (Figure 3)
and-the netting then takes the form of a given number of tubes placed one in contact
with the other as is shewn in Figure 4 in elevation, and Figure 5 in section. The
bottom of the said tubes, or envelopes is fastened up with galvanized iron wire if the
material intended to be filled into them is to be kept in the same, or is left open if

page_text: the said material is intended to sink down, and fill some apparatus below. The
netting may be bent with a double curvature in the manner shewn in Figure 6, care
being taken to secure by wire the successive contacts which are formed by the
folding, and to interpose in the interior the rings of round iron already described. In
this mannera more resistant apparatus is formed with a double row of envelopes (Figure 7).
The apparatus may, however, assume the shape of a parallelopipedon (Figure 8) when
a number of envelopes of rectangular section are united together. Or in an alternative
construction two metallic sides are placed parallel and cross walls are arranged succes-
sively between them. In the interior of this pattern of envelopes are placed square
or rectangular supports 61 formed of iron wire (Figure 9). The abovementioned
apparatuses, whether cylindrical envelopes, or rectangular envelopes, may be constructed
also in another manner which is fully shewn in Figures 10 and 11. For those of circular
section (see Figure 10) the netting commences upon a line marked at c: From this
line the two faces of the netting are prolonged corresponding to d and of the
drawing, and of such a length as to form each of them one half of the periphery of
the envelope... These two faces are then joined together at the point c¹, and from
that point proceed again two branches of the envelope to form the successive
facés de d³ and so forth. For the rectangular section shewn in Figure 11 a tube of
the requisite shape is forined with the walls e, then from two points f¹ f2 suitably
adjacent there are caused to branch two pieces el e² which encounter one another, and
join together at e; then from the points f3f4 there branch two other pieces et e" and
so forth. When the requirements of the case are not, however, serious it is not
necessary that the apparatus should be extremely strong. In this case the diameter
of the envelopes may be reduced, but this should not be carried too far because their
capacity is subordinated to the size of the filling material. It is sometimes better to
construct a composite apparatus, that is to say, one formed of envelopes alternated
with plain, simple, or double walls; this method is especially suitable when the filling
material is not very plentiful. These composite apparatuses may be constructed by
securing together by means of iron wire the various pieces previously prepared; but it
will be preferable to manufacture them in a continuous manner as has been explained
for the other apparatuses. If the wall interposed between the envelopes is simple as
for instance that shewn in Figure 12, it is advisable to commence by preparing the
netting for a development corresponding to the outline g-g of the first half circle.
For this the coupling is effected at h, and the simple netting is continued for the
space . When the work arrives at the point hit is prolonged with two sides of
netting, the one g¹ for the flat surface, and the other g² for the semicylindrical
surface to a length corresponding to the radius of the half circle; then another joining
is made, and the arrangement thus tontinued in the same manner up to the end.
If it be desired that the wall interposed between the envelopes should be double
as shewn in Figure 13 when the maker arrives at the point h he will construct two
sides of netting i¹ and 2 up to the point h¹ where the junction is made; he will
then continue with two pieces of netting and so forth. In the interior of the
envelopes are placed rings of semicircular form, and when the article is finished it
will take the form shewn in Figure 14, or that shewn in Figure 15 according as the
division interposed between the envelope is single or double. The bottom of the
semicircular envelope should be of from 25 to 30 centimetrés in width; the width of
the flat portion may be from 50 centimetres to one metre. It is advisable to
construct the envelopes about 25 centimetres longer than the netting in order that
they may subside a little without injuring the strength of the netting.
.
In
Most of the apparatuses of my invention, and especially those which are designed
to be placed vertically or on an inclined plane, are provided with cords attached
either to the upper horizontal edge or to the sides. One construction of cord t is
fixed along the top of the apparatus and is continued in two long outer ends.
these apparatuses it is advisable generally speaking that in regard to the face which
is applied to the bank or against another apparatus previously put in place, in
distinction to that turned towards the outside, the cord t above named should be
secured in such a way as to surround the top of the first named partition and not of

page_text: the second. In addition to the cord t there are other intermediate cords t¹ fixed at
suitable distances, as also further cords 2 placed along the lateral sides. The cords tť¹
serve to operate the apparatuses from the top of the bank, the operators being
upon roads or in vessels and sometimes the cords 2 are used in the same manner
especially that which is underneath. These side cords have, moreover for a special
object the securing of one apparatus to the neighbouring one. By causing the ends
of these cords t2 to pass within the meshes of another apparatus at suitable heights,
and drawing the same tight the two apparatuses are connected firmly and securely
together, the cord t also assists that marked 2 in the said connection. The cords t
and when the apparatuses are in their places serve to secure their stability by
attaching them to trees or to large blocks of stone suitably inserted in the soil or to
other natural or artificial attachments. When it is requisite to construct a defensive.
work which requires to have a very great resisting power the apparatuses. are not
arranged one beside another in a single row but back to back in several rows.
may take as a type of this construction the apparatus with five sacks (Figure 16).
By arranging the separate pieces back to back a wall of iron wire and of stones may
be formed of a size corresponding to the length of the apparatus. For increased
solidity it is desirable that the sacks should be reciprocally interposed, that is to say,
that those marked j of the apparatus J (Figure 17) should be interposed in the
bends of the sack of the apparatus J¹, and in like manner the sack of the
apparatus J2 should be interposed between the sacks j¹ and j³ of the apparatuses J¹ J³.
In order to obtain this security use is made of metallic cords & placed at the foot of
each sack of the apparatuses, whilst the cords 2 of the sides (see Figure 4) having
become superfluous are omitted.
We
As iron wire netting may be manufactured with great ease it is also permissible to
construct apparatuses of a shape somewhat varied, such as those represented in
Figures 18 and 19 which are designed to form defensive walls, partly with vertical
walls, and partly with sloping ones. The construction and fixing of the said
apparatuses will be easily comprehended without further explanations.
It should also not be overlooked that a simple iron wire netting may in certain
cases be sufficient to effect a good protection. Furthermore, certain apparatuses
may be constructed in proportion to their application, and adapted to the special
requirements. Such an apparatus is indicated for instance in Figure 20. A sheet K K¹
of sufficient size is provided, upon which is fixed a given number of small cross walls k
parallel the one to the other and arranged to cover the part K to rather less than
the half thereof; then the apparatus is filled with stones in proximity to the last
wall the remainder of the sheet K2 is used to cover it and the whole is sewn
together. This operation is continued until there is formed a species of mattress
such as is represented in perspective in Figure 21 and in section in Figure 22.
My apparatus may be applied in very various manners. Some of the principal'
applications are as follows:-
=
RIVER. BANK PROTECTION.
In order to repair dainages to river banks and to prevent the continuation of the
said damage in flood time a simple apparatus such as described in Figure 4 may be
made use of having its lower end formed of a solid seam of wire and provided with
wire guiding cables t¹ and similar ones for securing t2. By aid of the said cables
the apparatus is suspended whilst resting upon the damn and its exact place may be
regulated by arranging it to the bank after which the cables are attached to trunks
of trees, piles, or other natural or artificial obstacles. If a single apparatus does not
suffice others are attached one after the other, care being taken before placing each
of them to pass into the meshes of the first tube of the apparatus at suitable heights
In order to repair dainages to river banks and to prevent the continuation of the
said damage in flood time a simple apparatus such as described in Figure 4 may be
made use of having its lower end formed of a solid seam of wire and provided with
wire guiding cables t¹ and similar ones for securing t2. By aid of the said cables
the apparatus is suspended whilst resting upon the dam and its exact place may be
regulated by arranging it to the bank after which the cables are attached to trunks
of trees, piles, or other natural or artificial obstacles. If a single apparatus does not
suffice others are attached one after the other, care being taken before placing each
of them to pass into the meshes of the first tube of the apparatus at suitable heights
the metallic cable 4 of the exterior edge contiguous to the last apparatus secured in
place; so that when these cables are drawn firm a solid junction of the new apparatus
with the preceding one is effected. If the damage to the banks is too considerable
especially in the longitudinal direction and there is to be feared a very serious

page_text: excavation at the foot of the bank, it is better to make use of an apparatus such as
shown in Figure 23, the tubes of which are open at their lower end and connect to
a longitudinal cage of suitable dimensions, and which serves to prevent the apparatus
from leaning over towards the water; the cage is filled automatically by the apparatus.
For defensive works of still greater solidity use may be made of double apparatuses
such as shown in Figures 6 and 7. When it is necessary to execute repairs to the
banks of great importance and at times when the waters have subsided it is advisable
to make use of the apparatus shown in Figure 24 said apparatus being fixed upon a
cage, secured by means of piles fixed at a distance of about two metres apart, which
cage has been previously filled. In order to facilitate the natural sinking due to the
scooping out of the bottom produced by the contact of the water, a sinking which
should never be prevented by too great tension on the metallic supporting cables;
the piles may be withdrawn by means of an opening through the case for this
purpose.
In Figure 25 a system identical with that shown in Figure 24 is presented with
the only difference that the cages of this apparatus are of rectangular instead of
circular section. From the top of the apparatus the spaces which have been formed
in the tubes by the settlement of the material are filled up.
Against the somewhat inclined sides of torrents or canals. the mattress apparatus
such as shown in Figure 8 may be advantageously employed having tubes of
rectangular section and this gives the bank a finished appearance because the
apparatus resembles a training wall of about a quarter of a metre in thickness.
The metallic cables m are fixed to blocks m¹ firmly inserted in the bank, (see
Figure 26).
It is obvious that such apparatuses can only be employed when the said bank is not
subject to serious slips and when it is not too high, in such cases it would be necessary
to form at different heights some strong supporting anchorages. Whenever
circumstances permit it is advisable to employ composite apparatus such as shown
in Figures 14 and 15.
For the adjustment of the apparatuses it will be necessary to equalise the pro-
jections of the eroded parts in order to render the bank uniform. Then the apparatus
selected is placed up stream keeping the guiding cable always well stretched. It
is advisable as a rule to commence the construction above the point of the erosion
and to continue the work by means of apparatuses connected successively each one
to the preceding one. When the apparatus is once in place the filling of it is
proceeded with, as many workmen being employed as the urgency of the matter
requires, because it is possible to employ as many workmen as there are tubes in the
apparatus. If it should happen that during this operation the apparatus sinks
below the point which had been anticipated it would be necessary to place above
it a second one of suitable height and to make the tubes coincide, then the final
filling can be proceeded with.
:
Danima
Another apparatus than that shown in Figure 4 but still of the same general
construction is preferably employed in the construction of breakwaters such as shown
in Figure 27. There are first secured at suitable distances piles such as n and little.
horizontal connecting bars are fixed to the said piles. In this manner there is for:ned
a simple frame against which the apparatus A is supported. The said apparatus
itself is then fixed in place by aid of the metallic cables 2. The said cables may
be subsequently released in order to aid the free settling of the apparatus it being
borne in mind that the cables should only serve to prevent the apparatus from
leaning over towards the current.
If it be desired to execute a more solid construction a second apparatus B may be
applied at the back of the first apparatus A. In this case the apparatus A must be
attached to the frame at the points n² whilst the apparatus B remains free in the
vertical direction and is merely fixed to the bank by the metallic cable t*. It is

page_text: advisable to place in connection with breakwaters an apparatus marked C of several
metres in length so that it may cover a portion of the bank. The filling of the
apparatus is effected very easily even when the bank is very high. For this purpose
a tube D may be made use of also constructed of wire netting of fine mesh and
supported by a suitable ladder D¹ or other sloping contrivance to which the required
inclination is given. The said tube D is arranged to correspond with the openings of
the tubes of the apparatus and it serves to discharge the material into them until
they are completely filled. It is a good plan to give the tubes of the apparatus B
a sufficient length leaving a certain vacant space which can be filled when the
apparatus is settled.
рыса, пантету
1. Of the two end pieces E which are devised to serve for the protection of the
heads of the fixed dams and for the attachment of the stopping mechanism to the
dams themselves. These end pieces are made with a projecting part over the said
dams by means of wire netting and stones.
2. The middle part E¹ which is the main resisting part is formed of tubes of wire
netting filled with stones.
3. The internal part E2 which is the part turned towards the bed of the river is
designed to prevent the infiltration through the resisting part and is formed of a
heap of earth and straw protected by a metallic netting.
4. The upper external part E³ formed of earth alone to complete the dam.
As soon as the breakage occurs in the river bank it is advisable to immediately fix
the two damn heads. For this purpose there is placed for each of them a range of
piles passed along the dams both in the longitudinal direction and also on a transverse
line so that the said sets of piles comprise for a certain extent as much front piece
as side piece around the dams, the said piles are prolonged up to the full height of
the dam. Upon these rows of piles are placed the simple metallic nettings p
constructed previously with holes corresponding to the piles. These nettings p must
be of a size sufficiently great to render them able to form a solid covering of which
they constitute an external envelope and this part of the production when the work
is finished will resemble a wall, see Figure 32. The nettings are successively
connected one to another in order to obtain the height and length necessary for the
same. In order to maintain the distance between the walls it is requisite to insert
at intervals of from 4 to 5 metres transverse nettings p¹ attached to the bottom and
to the side walls. It is moreover necessary to fix at small intervals numerous wire
ropes p² between one wall and the other. The height of the dam may be fixed by the
constructing engineer before the commencement of the works.
In order to secure the gradual and progressive sinking of the cover and to prevent
the formation of bends and deformations it would be advisable to fix if the rapidity
of the current does not prevent two rows of provisional piles which hold it firmly or
even also light frames. As soon as the netting thus prepared has touched the bottom
the workman may proceed to the filling thereof by means of pebbles or of gravel
and it is obvious of course that the size of the mesh of the netting must be
proportionate to that of the filling material.
Having completed the heads of the dams the central resistant mass E¹ is then
constructed by means of the special apparatuses for the purpose formed for instance
with five tubes (Figure 16). The placing of the first apparatus is effected by
attaching to the end already constructed as many metallic cables as there
are tubes in the apparatus; in the present case for instance there will be
five; these cables are passed through each tube and the apparatus is
then put in place, the cord being kept stretched until it is completely
pressed against the head of the dam. The cords are then secured firmly and the
filling of the two first tubes towards the bed of the current is commenced. In the.

page_text: third tube a pile is introduced and it is then filled up, the said pile being fixed at
the distances indicated in the drawing. These [piles should be of such length that
they may be driven into the ground not less than three or four metres, the work of
pile driving should follow immediately that of the placing of the apparatus at the
minimum distance required so that the workmen driving the piles should not be in
the way of those working at the apparatus, and that each of the workers can operate
without interruption.
In order to secure a good construction of the dam under operation it is advisable
to employ small apparatuses formed of a single tube of rectangular or circular section
and which are applied in the same manner as the others. The length to be given
to the apparatuses will of course vary according to the height of the dam. When the
first apparatus has been put in place cords t³ (Figure 16) are passed into the tubes
of the second which is pushed down and filled as already described for the first,
and so on until having caused the work to advance from the two ends a closing of
the break is effected. The closing nevertheless can only be effected when it is
certain that the river on retaking its course will come in contact with the work at
least one half metre below the height fixed for the dam so as to avoid any overflow.
It will also be necessary to avoid causing whirlpools close to the narrow mouth but
on this subject explanations will be given further on.
In order to close the openings between the different tubes of the apparatuses with
regard to one another and also to increase the strength of the construction it is
advisable to fill the same with fine gravel and not with sand which can escape by
any small crack. As soon as a stretch of damn is formed the construction of the
closing preparation is proceeded with by causing to descend over the front thereof a
network which is folded upon itself and is laced on one side to the projections of the
dam. This network is intended to contain the water stopping material and in order
that the pressure of the water may not bring the two sides together there. is
constructed inside the said network a provisional device (Figure 28). formed of
horizontal pieces F forming a solid resistant part and against which there are
attached other pieces F¹ in a sloping direction. In this manner the solid part of the
closing device takes the form of an incline. This network can be provided in order
to assist the operation of stopping the water with a sackcloth or with an impermeable
sheet.
If the current is so rapid at the place as not to allow of the placing of men a
sloping device it will then be necessary to make use of the apparatus shown in
Figure 31. That is to say placing different stopping devices in the interior of the
network before putting it in place. The network thus arranged, the filling thereof
is commenced by throwing therein suitable materials, (see Figure 33) sucli for
instance as a mixture of straw and earth and securing the whole with branches of
willow or with wire and if possible the materials are placed along the netting,
pressing the same together if necessary in order to prevent the current from carrying
away the earth which is filled in as much as is necessary and as quickly as possible
to prevent it being carried away. Furthermore; when a certain height has been
reached even if it be below the surface of the water it will suffice to put in
chopped straw and earth above and continue until the mixture has reached the height
of the solid part of the bank.
In carrying on these works the dam may if desired be terminated at the greatest
original height and the top thereof may be arranged after the work of stopping the
infiltration of water has been effected. In this case it suffices to secure the
nettings G to the sides of the dain (Figure 28), then to cover them entirely with
well pressed straw or other material arranged so that it will prevent the earth placed
inside from escaping to the outside. The transport of the materials for the filling of
the apparatus may be effected by means of carts passing over a path H prolonged
as far as necessary. The earth for the filling can be transported from the outside as
shown at H¹.
In the construction of the tops of the dam it sometimes occurs that by reason of
the too great force of the current especially in the up-stream portion it is impossible

page_text: to fix the slopes (see Figures 30 and 32) or the pieces F F¹ (see Figure 28). In this
case the system shown in Figure 31 should be adopted.
If it
In the whole explanation which precedes it is supposed that a dam is required
in the bank of a large stream having a height of water exceeding two metres.
be in question to deal with a body of water more or less considerable the dam must
be enlarged or reduced according to the pressure which may be applied in the
aperture which is to be closed. Limiting the same at certain points even to that of
making use of the sides of the single apparatus shown in Figure 16.
In the case of breakages of the bank of little importance the apparatuses shown in
Figures 18 and 19 may be made use of or other like apparatuses which present a
resisting wall already complete with a base turned towards the bed of the watercourse.
Or one of the cominon apparatuses shown in Figure 4 may be used which fills the
whole length of the aperture (Figure 35), and is simply supported against horizontal
bars which may for instance be formed of the trunks of poplars which are easily
obtained along the side of the water course; the said trunks q are placed behind the
breakage and secured to the bank and if necessary are supported by piles q' driven
vertically. When the apparatus is once filled with solid material the work of
rendering it watertight by means of earth and straw can be effected either in front or
behind according to the circumstances.
:.
For the construction of the heads of the dams in place of covering boxes E shown in
Figures 28 and 32 it suffices to employ sometimes with an economy of time and
expense apparatuses such as shown in Figure 16 similar to those adopted for the
stoppage. The said apparatuses are rested against the front and the side of the dams so
as to cover them for the desired length. If the breakage be of great importance
especially in consequence of its considerable length and of the extent of the body of
the dam to be rebuilt, in this case if the watercourse is not very rapid in place of.
constructing the whole part solid by means of the apparatuses El resting the one against
the other as shown in Figure 28, there may with considerable saving of time and
money be constructed two apparatuses from both sides at the same time the one up
stream the other down streain in the manner hereinafter set forth with reference to
Figure 34.
From each of the two ends there are caused to proceed two strong dams M'
formed of blocks contained in a metallic netting, the said parallel dams are then joined
the one to the other by means of the third transverse dam M¹ in such a inauner as to
create an enclosure M which may be filled with earth or other material in order to:be
able to resist the internal pressure of the dams against the metallic nettings. These
nettings are provided with transverse metallic cables which are secured to another'
strong longitudinal cable. When the two enclosures the one up stream and the other
don are terminated, the part which separates them and which must be as
short as possible is closed by means of successive apparatuses one in contact with the
other in the manger set forth above.
It is not necessary in the use of these apparatuses in this case to have the piles
driven in consequence of the small width of the work. The piles, though not
absolutely indispensable are better employed in the construction of enclosures M².
A point of great importance and one to which I have already alluded is that which
relates to the work of closing the last space of the break where the water is forced to
flow through the aperture continually more reduced and has consequently acquired a
considerable force and tends to create deep excavations at the botton upon which the
dam inust be built under considerable risk of failure.
To prevent these damages, after having firstly approximately determined the point
for the closing of the break the work should be commenced by placing firstly the
jetty M³ by means of rudimentary apparatuses such as single tube ones placed one
against the other forming thus a solid platform upon which the actual closing apparatus
is then placed. The platform in question must have a size proportionate to the
importance of the stream to be closed. It would be advisable in any case that it
should occupy a space at least double the width of the dam.
The placing and the
filling of the apparatuses of the platform is conveniently effected by means of boats
or of temporary.bridges.

page_text: MEANS FOR PREVENTING CAVITIES.
My apparatuses serve also to prevent the formation of cavities by the effect of falling
water (see Figures 36 and 37) or by the erosion of the river bed along the bank and
especially close to supporting walls which greatly injures their stability. In a flow of
water for example over a dam or other work of any kind transverse to the river in
order to prevent the formation of cavities the work may be effected in two manners,;
according to the nature of the materials acted on by the current.
If it be a question of a pebbly bed the construction proceeds as follows with reference
to Figure 36.
Let R represent the dam. There is attached to it at its base a netting of
galvanised iron wire of considerable strength and large mesh which is placed upon the
bottom, there is then driven in front of the dam and to a considerable distance some
piles having a length of 6 to 8 metres according to the more or less resistant nature
of the ground; to the ends of these piles a very strong metallic cable is attached ;
to this cable is attached the other end of the netting, care being taken to give to
the same a sufficient size that it may spread freely upon the bottom of the river. In
this manner an immense receptacle is constructed which must be filled with pebbles.
of a size considerably greater than those of the pebbles carried by the current.
aforesaid piles should not project more than one metre from the bottom of the river.
With this system provision against the shock of the moving stones may be made and
economy may be realised in the construction of the dams which may be formed of
stones and of metallic netting. In a watercourse which only carries small fragments.
of rock it suffices to form a protecting envelope or mattress of 25 centimetres thickness:
such as that shown in Figures 21 and 22, The said apparatus is attached to the base
of the dam R' Figure 37 and simply placed upon the bottom rendered approximately
level and preferably covered at its surface with clay mixed with a little straw. The
length of the said apparatus will be determined in proportion to the extent of the
water course.
The
In order to prevent cavities and erosions which are formed along the banks and
especially close to the supporting walls (see Figure 38) it suffices to fix to the walls
themselves some hooks at the height of the bed of the torrent and after having filled
up and equalised the cavity with earth and saund covered with a thin coating of clay
to place over it the apparatuses shown in Figures 21 and 22 which are secured to the
said hooks (see Figure 39). The size of the protecting device is proportionate to
the depth of the cavity at flood time and to the range of the river. If the cavity is
produced at a point where there is no training wall it is necessary firstly to ensure
the safety of the bank by the use of my system as already explained, or by other
means and then the protection of the cavity is effected by attaching the mantle to
the defending wall of the bank. If it be a question of a cavity in a watercourse which
cannot be altered the following method is adopted :-
Let T Figure 41 represent the wall or the work against which the cavity is formed.
By means of the large boats T the apparatus U is caused to descend to a distance
equal to the width which is to be given to the covering of the bottom. From the
said boats the apparatus is lowered little by little and in accordance as this work is
effected the boats approach each other so that the apparatus folds and adapts itself to
the bottom and against the wall, as shown in Figure 42. In case of need the
apparatus may be lengthened so that when the work is finished there may be a portion
projecting from the water. The end of this projecting portion may be attached to
hooks or held fast secured to the wall. If the importance of the cavity requires, a
second apparatus may be superposed on top of the first and so on.
Finally, the defence against the erosions of the bed of a river or canal may be
required in cases where it is necessary to take a water outlet for the purpose of
formning new beds. The very considerable flow which is created in the cutting of the
dam and its neighbourhood tends to uncover and erode the bottom. In order
to prevent these injuries the bottom of the stream is covered both up stream and
down stream of the cutting with the usual envelope shaped as shewn in Figure 21,

page_text: and the bank is protected by means of pressed straw covered and protected by a
single net of large mesh such as shown in Figure 40. This netting is attached below
to the apparatus at the bottom and above it is fixed by means of metallic cables
attached to piles driven into the earth upon the bank at equal distances the one from
the other. The straw should be pressed down in the form of regular blocks and must
have the thickness which is to be given to the lining; the bundles of straw are fixed
in their places by attaching them to the netting which covers them. For the
protection of the edges where is requisite a greater solidity and more durability,
instead of straw covering apparatuses may be made use of such as that shown in
Figure 4 which is attached to the mattress at the bottom.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for the protection of rivers, canals and the like constructed with
galvanized wire netting in the form of envelopes of circular or rectangular, or
semicircular section, placed one adjacent to the other or supported by a flat simple or
double wall of the said netting or reinforced by two alternate ranges of sacks which
are secured together below, provided in the interior with circular, semicircular, or
rectangular rings, devised to give and to keep in the sacks themselves the requisite
shape all substantially as and for the purposes described and shown in the accompanying
drawing.
2. In apparatuses for the defence of the banks of rivers, canals and the like set forth
in Claim 1 the joining of sacks opened at the bottom and delivering into receptacles
formed of galvanized wire secured by means of piles driven into the bed of the
watercourse.
3. In apparatus for the defence of the beds of rivers, canals and the like such as set
forth in Claims 1 and 2 the construction of the said apparatuses at the place of their
employment by making use of flat sheets of netting already prepared, placing the
same together in a suitable manner and with transverse walls, and securing the erecting
points and also the points of connection to the piles in such a manner as to construct
them as cells or receptacles or mattresses of metal and stone all substantially as above
described and shown in the drawings.
4. In apparatuses for the defence of the beds of rivers, canals and other like water-
courses claimed in Claims 1 and 2 the combination with galvanized metallic cables fixed
at their upper ends along the vertical sides and at the base, having for their object the
connection of the apparatuses the one to the other whether one following the other or
one back to back with the other, as also the arrangement for the placing of the
apparatuses and for fixing them to the edge of the dam substantially as described and
shown in the drawings.
5. In apparatuses for the defence of the banks of rivers canals and the like claimed
in Claims 1 and 2 the union of the parts of parallelopipedon or cylindrical shape with
other of the form of prisms or of truncated cones resembling in form walls which
have a vertical part and a sloping base, substantially as above described and shown in
the drawings.
6. In apparatuses for the defence of the channels of rivers canals and the like
claimed in Claims 1 and 2 the application for breakwaters substantially as therein-
before described and shown in the drawings.
7. In the apparatuses for the defence of banks of rivers, canals and the like claimed
in Claims 1 and 2 the application to the closing of breakages by means of the
construction of simple or double dykes or dams constructed partially of an enclosing
wall with inner filling, with the use of netting placed at an angle by means of slopes
or of little provisional adjusting slopes and of piles and by means of a breakwater
of rudimentary apparatuses at the point where is constructed the last part of the
filling in order to reinforce the bank, the whole substantially as described and shown
in the drawings.
8. In apparatuses for the defence of the banks of rivers, canals and the like the

page_text: application to the repairing of the cavities formed by the falls of water of the ordinary
current, or of a current caused by a cutting artificially made in such manner as to fill
them up by means of a simple sheet or of mattress apparatuses spread at the bottom of
the watercourse and secured to piles in the bank or to the walls all substantially as
above described and shown in the drawings.
ted this 21st day of July 1897.
WP. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.