Improvements in the Construction or Formation of Canals and other like Navigable Inland Watercourses, and in the Means Employed for Hauling or Towing Vessels along or through the same.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in the Construction or Formation of Canals and
other like Navigable Inland Watercourses, and in the Means
Employed for Hauling or Towing Vessels along or through
the same.
PRUYIDIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
I, WILLIAM NELSON HUTCHINSON of Wellesbourne, Bideford in the County
of Devon, General in Her Majesty's Army, do hereby declare the nature of the
said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR FORMATION OF
CANALS, AND OTHER LIKE NAVIGABLE :INLAND WATERCOURSES, AND IN THE MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR HAULING OR TOWING VESSELS ALONG OR THROUGH THE SAME
to be as follows:-
=
נג
My said Invention has for one of its objects to construct a Canal or other like
watercourse with two separate and distinct water-ways or passages through which
Vessels may pass or be hauled in opposite directions, in such a manner that the
chance of collisions occurring between passing Vessels is rendered impossible, and
to obviate the delay which at present occurs in existing Canals by reason of one
Vessel having to be "shunted" into a Siding, or to "lay by in order to allow
another Vessel to pass in safety.
And further to provide means of safely and expeditiously hauling, or towing,
Vessels through such Canal or watercourse and whereby it is rendered almost (if
not entirely) unnecessary for the Vessels being hauled or towed to be steered or
guided in such a manner that the haulage of the Vessels is effected entirely from
the centre of the Canal or watercourse, whereby the banks of the Canal are left
quite free so as to enable docks, basins, wharves, and such like, to be constructed
therein and thereon, thus couverting both sides of the Canal or water-course for the
whole of its length into particularly available advantageous and valuable sites for
the erection of Manufactaries, and works of all kinds, and thereby providing the
Canal or water-course with a very great source of revenue without in any way
interfering with it as a water-way.
1
In effecting the objects of my Invention I form a continuous line of piles,
columns, piers or arches through or along the centre (mid-channel) of the Canal;
and connect such piles columns piers or arches by means of girders beams or spårs
so as to form a viaduct or bridge along the centre of the Canal or watercourse, thus
dividing the Canal into two separate water-ways or "tracks" of equal width i.e. a
"homeward bound" and an "outward bound" passage respectively.
It is obvious that if the Canal were being constructed through ground of a very
hard, or rocky, nature that the cutting might be made so as to leave portions of the
natural material' standing thereby saving expense in constructing arches piers &c as
above mentioned as well as a saving in the cost of excavation.
At various places, or points, along the above mentioned central Viaduct, or
bridge, i.e. when considered necessary during its construction, or found expedient at

page_text: "
any time thereafter, portions of the said Viaduct, or bridge, would be so constructed
(or re-constructed) as to allow of its being opened raised or otherwise rendered
capable of permitting vessels being transferred from, or enabled to get into, the
"outward bound" passage from the "homeward bound passage, and vice versa
without the necessity of such Vessels be compelled to traverse the whole length of
the Canal in order to get into the opposite passage, or water-way from which it
was already in.
The above mentioned viaduct, or bridge, supports a double line of railway, on
which Locomotives run for the purpose (and in the manner to be presently
described) of towing Vessels along, or through, the water-ways of the Canal. The
Locomotives employed would, by preference be made unusually long and of very
narrow gauge, and from the under, or any, part of the Locomotives, a strut (as light
.as possible compatible with the strength required and (if necessary) of adjustable
strength) projects at right angles to the Locomotive's length with a slight inclina-
tion upwards (or at any convenient angle or inclination) and is supported in that
position by resting on the arms of the axle of a wide friction wheel which rolls or
runs on a rod fixed to, and about 6 or 7 feet from the before mentioned Viaduct or
bridge, or it may be supported in any other suitable manner.
One end of the towing rope, or wire (preferably made of a slightly yielding
material) is attached to the extremity or other part of this projecting strut and the
other end to the mast or other suitable part, of the Vessel to be hauled. By the
above means the haulage of a Vessel through the Canal would be nearly always in
.a vertical plane of its keel, and in the exact course the Vessel should pursue, thus
dispensing to a great extent and probably entirely with the careful and difficult
steering necessary when Vessels are hauled in the ordinary manner.
Instead of towing or hauling by means of the above mentioned strut, a very long
towing rope or wire and a suitable arrangement of wheels might be substituted but
this method is not preferred for obvious reasons.
In order to reduce the tendency of the bow of the Locomotive to "slew" out-
wards and its stern inwards and the liability of the locomotive to leave the rails in
consequence of the drag of the towing rope when a Vessel is being hauled I fix to
each end of the. Locomotive a bar which projects a suitable distance and runs
parallel with the line of rails. At the extremity or other convenient part of each
of these two bars I place a horizontal wheel, which wheel bears against the inside
of the web of the inner rail and the inside of the web of the outer rail respectively.
These rails are preferably somewhat higher than is usual to give space to receive
the horizontal wheels, and have a broad tread projecting inwards and forming
a guard to prevent the abovementioned wheels from springing above the rails. As
a further security a vertical wheel supports and retains the bar in position.
Means are provided at the end of the railway for enabling the Locomotives to be
shifted from one line to the other.
Instead of employing Locomotives for the purpose of hauling as hereinbefore
described the towage or haulage might be effected by means of travelling endless
wire ropes provided with suitable arrangements of friction wheels and clips fitted to
travelling platforms or trucks for holding the towing gear, and with means for
preventing the platforms or trucks being canted over. This arrangement would be
worked by stationary engines situate at convenient distances along the route.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details
for effecting the objects of my Invention above described as it is obvious they may
be varied in many ways.

page_text: I WILLIAM NELSON HUTCHINSON of Wellesbourne Bideford in the County of
Devon General in Her Majesty's Army do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR FORMATION OF CANALS
AND OTHER. LIKE NAVIGABLE INLAND WATERCOURSES; AND IN THE MEANS
EMPLOYED FOR HAULING OR TOWING VESSELS ALONG' OR THROUGH THE SAME
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
<<
"
My said Invention has for its objects to construct along the centre or near the
centre of a Canal or other like watercourse a viaduct or way" dividing it into
two separate and distinct waterways or passages through which vessels may pass or
be hauled in opposite directions in such a manner that the chance of collisions
occurring between passing Vessels is rendered impossible.
•
And along the top of that Viaduct or "way" to provide means of safely and
expeditiously hauling, or towing, Vessels through such Canal or watercourse
whereby it is rendered almost (if not entirely) unnecessary for the Vessels being
hauled or towed to be steered or guided in such a manner that the haulage of the
Vessels is effected entirely from the centre of the Canal or watercourse whereby
the Banks of the Canal are left quite free.so as to enable docks, basins, wharves
and such like to be constructed therein, and thereon thus converting both sides of
the Canal or watercourse for the whole of its length into particularly available
advantageous and valuable sites for the erection of Manufactories and works of all
kinds and thereby providing the Canal or watercourse with a very great source of
revenue without in any way interfering with it as a waterway.
In effecting the objects of my Invention I form a continuous line of piles,
columns piers or arches through or along the centre (mid channel) of the canal, and
connect such piles, columns piers or arches by means of girders beams or spars so
as to form a viaduct or bridge along the centre of the Canal or watercourse thus
dividing the Canal into two separate waterways or "tracks" of equal width 2,e
"homeward bound" and an "outward bound" passage respectively.
&
It is obvious that if the Canal were being constructed through ground of a very,
hard or rocky nature that the cutting might be made so as to leave portions of the
natural material standing thereby saving expense in constructing arches piers &c &c
as above mentioned as well as a saving in the cost of excavation.
'
At various places, or points, along the "above mentioned central viaduct or
bridge że when considered necessary during its construction, or found.expedient at
any time thereafter, portions of the said viaduct or bridge would be so constructed
(or reconstructed) as to allow of its being opened raised or otherwise rendered
capable of permitting vessels being transferred from or enabled to get into the
outward bound" passage from the "homeward bound" passage and vice versa
-
"

page_text: without the necessity of such vessels being compelled to traverse the whole length
of the Canal in order to get into the opposite passage or waterway from which
they were already in.
The above mentioned viaduct or bridge supports a double line of Railway on
which Locomotives run for the purpose (and in the manner to be presently described)
of towing Vessels along or through the waterways of the Canal. The Locomotives
employed would be by preference made unusually long and of very narrow gauge
and from the under or any part, of the Locomotives, a strut (as light as possible
compatible with the strength required) projects at any suitable angle and is
supported in any convenient way.
This strut or lever arm has a rope or chain (of any suitable material) attached to
it and the other end of the rope or chain is fastened to the ship.or vessel or Boat
that has to be towed.
The Locomotives may be made sufficiently heavy to have traction power of their
own weight to haul à vessel át sufficient speed or the wheels (one two or more) may
be cogged and the teeth gear in with like teeth in the side of the Rails, or on the
top. Or a special rail may be provided with teeth apart from the carrying rails.
Or the Locomotives may have gripping wheels horizontal or otherwise which may
press against the supporting Rails or by preference against a central rail. This last
method is the preferable one because the weight of the Locomotive can be lessened
the side strains can be provided for and the grip necessary to haul any ship can be
adjusted easily and quickly.
.
•
Instead of using a strut or Lever arm to pull the hauling rope or chain it may be.
convenient to fasten one end of the hauling rope to the Locomotive and the other
end to the Vessel in which case I put an adjustable spar or rod (of any suitable
material and size) from the Bow of the ship to the Railway one end being fastened
to the ship and the other end (or near the end) to a small trolley running on the
same line of rails as the Locomotive and hauled by it. By this means the Bow
end of the ship is hauled in a line exactly parallel to the central Railway. If it is.
found necessary or advisable I put another small trolley on the rails to be hauled
opposite to the stern of the ship and I keep the stern of the ship in the same line i,e
parallel with the Railway by means of a spar or rod as described in connection with
the Bow of the ship. By this means any vessel. passing through the Canal is held
securely so that she cannot come in contact with the central "way" or with the
Banks and by travelling in a perfectly straight line she makes a minimum of wave
wash and offers a minimum of resistance, to the hauling power.
Means are provided at the end of the Railway and at any places where necessary
for the Locomotives and Trolleys to get from one line of Railway to the to the
other. Instead of employing Locomotives for the purpose of hauling as herein before
described travelling endless ropes or chains (made of any suitable material) may be
used to pull travelling platforins, Trucks Bogies or Trolleys along the lines of rail
and these may perform the hauling in the same manner as hereinbefore described i,e
one Trolley (or vehicle) may have the hauling rope or chain attached to it or it may
carry the hauling strut or lever arm. A second Trolley (or vehicle) may carry one
end of the adjustable rod which holds the bow end of the ship in position and
a third may be used to hold the stern end of the ship in position as hereinbefore
described.
°
The endless ropes or chains may be of any suitable length and are worked by a
Stationary Engine. Where it is necessary to work more than one rope (the rope
pulls the Trolleys in one direction on one line of Rails and the reverse way on the
other line) one Engine may be used to work two ropes from the station where the
two meet. The length of rope and its thickness depend on the size of ships to
be hauled and the speed they have to go. Where two rope systems meet it is
preferable that the Trolleys (or vehicles) used should pass from. one system to the
other so I provide the hauling Trolley with suitable gripping machinery or gearing.
in order that the man in charge may drop the rope when he gets to the end of

page_text: a system and pick up the rope of the next system. There are several methods
of doing this.
I provide at each junction of two systems a small length of endless chain reaching
a short distance along each system and travelling at the same pace as the main
ropes or chains and so arranged that they lay hold of the hauling Trolleys before
they leave one.system and carry them a sufficient distance onto the next system for
the man in charge to have got well hold of the main rope.
* The hauling power may be used when necessary or desirable for dredging purposes
or to haul a plough for the purpose of deepening any part of the canal where the
bottom is sufficiently soft.
'
The Stationary Engines used to drive the endless ropes or chains may be driven
by steam power from Boilers at each station or they may be driven by Hydraulic or
other suitable power which may be generated at any spot where most convenient.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 represents a cross section of a ship canal
with a double waterway c and the central rail or rope way between the two.
D is a cross section of the wrought Iron continuous Bridge girders which support
the Railway.
These rest on the cross supports E and they are supported by the Iron columns F.
These columns are shown with a considerable batter in order to give a maximum
of resistance to any side strains which may be brought against any part of this
central structure.
The application of the endless rope is shown by the dotted lines G which show
the rope taken under the Canal to the bank where the Driving Engines are
placed.
The strut or spar which may be used for keeping the Bow, and, or, stern of a ship
in a line parallel with the Railway is shown in lines H. On the top of the girders
is shown a couple of Trucks or Trolleys or vehicles I¹ used for carrying one end of
the spar. The dotted lines J show the outline of a Locomotive in case Locomotives
are used instead of Stationary Engines and Travelling ropes.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the Canal. I is the Trolley or
vehicle gripping and being hauled by the endless rope it is hauling the ship A by
means of the rope K and the struts or spars H which hold the ship parallel to the
Railway are carried by the Trolleys I¹ I. F. F. are the ordinary supporting
columns and L L are the double or junction supporting columns where two systems
meet and the ropes are taken to the Canal Bank to the Engine House whence they
are driven as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 3 represents a plan of Figure 2 but instead of the ships being hauled by
means of endless ropes or chains and Trolleys as in Figure 2. they are hauled by
Locomotives Ship A is hauled by a Locomotive M which has its hauling rope N
fastened to a long spar H fixed to the Locomotive. The ship may or may not be
kept in position as shown in ship B. Ship B is hauled by a rope N direct from the
Locomotive M and it is kept in a line parallel to the Railway O by means of the
struts or spars H which are carried by the Trolley R. These spar Trolleys are
hauled by the Locomotive so as to keep them at fixed distances by the rope from
the Locomotive as shown with its carriers P.
Figure 4 is a plan showing seven junctions i,e six systems of endless rope G and
the ends of two other systems. The Engine houses Q Q. The direction the ropes
take from the Central Railway to the Engine Houses are shown by the arrowa
Two ships are shown at each junction one in either waterway. The hauling
Trolleys II and spar carrying Trolleys R and spars H are also shown. At each
junction is also the small length of endless chain which takes the hauling Trolleys
from one system to another and is driven by gearing from the main rope pulleys.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
'I claim is
The forming of a continuous viaduct, or way, along the centre or near the centre
of a canal or river, for the purpose of supporting or carrying
a-A double line of Railway on which run Locomotives, or,
b A double line of Railway to carry Trolleys or vehicles and a rope way to
carry a system or systems of Ropes for the purpose of hauling ships. or Boats in
either direction along the double waterway substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described.