FLOATING BREAKWATERS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 549, 31 August 1869, Page 2

FLOATING BREAKWATERS.

Sometime ago Captain Bevevidgc, harbormaster at Charleston, suggested that, possibly, that harbor might bo mado safe for vessels moored in it by the use of floating booms across the entrance. By all but the ignorant and incredulous, tlie idea was thought to bo worthy of some attention. .Such a contrivance has been exhibited near Port Denison, and is thus described by t!:o Sydney Herald: —

A contrivance for resisting the violence of neas at the entrance to ports and harbors was lately exhibited near to Port Denison, in the presence of a number of gentlemen officially and otherwise interested in our internal r.angation, and its chief feature makes the title of " Floating Breakwater " not inappropriate. It is a raft of transversed timbers, those on tiie upper sides lying at right angles to the set of the sea. "The idea is said to have originated is the resistance offered by large spars to heavy seas, and the shelter obtained in the smooth water on their lee. Mr John Evelyn-Liardet, of this city, is the inventor of the raft breakwater, but it is nut a new device, as he initiated it in 1851, and since then has brought it under the notice of several Governments in the Colony. The raft measures 12ft square, and is constructed of 4-inch by 6-inch timbers, four beani3 being fixed at equal intervals—transversely upon three, and and projecting 3 inches above the water sur lace. The weather was not very favorable for the exhibition, no wind stirring, and the water being nearly dead. There was, however, a_ ripple of about 12 inches rise, sufficient to indicate the mode in which the raft wards off the sea, wh'ch is arrested by contact with the first beam, and lessened as it is met successively by the i thers, so that the wafer becomes perfectly smooth on the leo side. The trial would have been much more interesting had there been a heavy sea running, so as to show whether waves breaking well over the raft would be reduced w.th equal success. Of this the inventor expressed full confidence. He proposes that for permanent use the raft should be formed of galvanized iron cylinders. The visitoi-s seemed tj be impressed with the effectiveness of the invention, as a sea barrier, leaving smooth water on its lee ; and the only difficu'ty suggested was as to the practicability of safely mooring it when constructed on a large scale. The inventor' maintained that this could be clone, without much trouble, and ho would use coir hawser for the purpose. The Minister for Works has so far favored the development of the design as to ask Mr Evelyn-Liardet for a plan and estimate of a raft on a moderately large scale, with a possiblo view 'o its use at exposed ports and harbors of refuge on our toast.