IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BREAKWATERS AND HARBOURS.”
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Croft Greenway Thomas, of Vizagatam, Madras,
in the Empire of India, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
APPLICABLE TO BREAKWATERS AND HARBOURS.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Croft Greenway
Thomas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th August,
1881.
.
EDWARD CROFT GREENWAY THOMAS, of Vizagatam, Madras, in the Empire of
India. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BREAKWATERS AND HARBOURS.”
The object of this Invention is to stem the destructive energy of water possessed
of momentum by turning portions of it against each other, and causing such
portions to expend their force innocuously in a mutual contest, and thus the current
or wave is deprived of its power to injure and destroy shipping and harbour works,
as it will be devoid of momentum. In carrying out my Invention I adopt mainly
the following-I place in the course of the current or wave a row of obstructions,
solid or floating, meeting the current with a sharp point, like the apex of a triangle
or the bows of a vessel, and with vertical sides at such an angle or curve in plan as
to divert the cleft water right and left, and thus give it new and opposite
directions with the least possible resistance. In most cases this will be best
effected by a row of buoys of the above described form, moored just so far apart
that the water diverted from one shall meet at about mid-distance, and in full force
that diverted from the next, and the two forces thus opposed and balanced will
thenceforth pass on innocuous and comparatively calm. An alternative plan is to
construct these of solid and not floating form. In either case any suitable material
can be used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Croft Greenway Thomas in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th February 1882.
EDWARD CROFT GREENWAY THOMAS, of Vizagapatam, Madras, in the Empire of
India. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO BREAKWATERS AND HARBOURS."
The object of this Invention is to neutralize the destructive energy of water
possessed of momentum by turning portions of it against each other, and causing
such portions to expend their force innocuously in a mutual contest, and thus the
current or wave is deprived of its power to injure or destroy shipping or harbour
works, as it will be devoid of momentum.
In carrying out my Invention I adopt substantially the following arrange-
ments :----
I place in the course of the current or wave a number of vertical wedge shaped
constructions, solid or floating, meeting the current with a sharp point, like the
apex of a triangle or the bows of a vessel, and at such an angle or curve in plan as
to cleave the water and divert it right and left, and thus give it new and opposite
directions. In most cases this will be best effected by a row of buoys of the above
described form, moored just so far apart that the water diverted from one shall meet
that diverted from the next, and the two equal forces thus opposed, balanced, and
neutralized will thence pass on innocuous and comparatively calm. An alternative
plan is to make these constructions solid and not floating. In either case any
suitable material can be used.
In order that the nature of my Invention may be clearly understood, I now draw
attention to the accompanying Drawings in elucidation of it.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the general arrangement or position of buoys or
constructions for effecting the object of my Invention. Where the momentum to
be overcome is very violent, a second line of buoys within the others may be added,
as shown in dotted lines.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 show various modifications in construction which may
be employed as circumstances dictate. The various constructions are intended to
divide the waves and give the parts new and opposite directions. This effect is
shown in Fig. 1, the water after being deflected by the buoys or fixed constructions
passing on in a comparatively calm state.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
of the said Invention, and the manner in which it is to be practically applied,
I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improvements in and Applicable to
Breakwaters and Harbours," substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Croft Greenway Thomas, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
ECG THOMAS (ra)
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
21, Cockspur Street,
London, S.W.
E CG. THOMAS (LS)