The Sewerage of Sea Coast TownsAdams, Henry Charles
Science
The Sewerage of Sea Coast Towns
Adams, Henry Charles
Sewerage
The engineer is not directly concerned with the various methods
employed in constructing a sea outfall, such matters being left
to the discretion of the contractor. It may, however, be
briefly stated that the work frequently involves the erection
of temporary steel gantries, which must be very carefully
designed and solidly built if they are to escape destruction by
the heavy seas. It is amazing to observe the ease with which a
rough sea will twist into most fantastic shapes steel joists 10
in by 8in, or even larger in size. Any extra cost incurred in
strengthening the gantries is well repaid if it avoids damage,
because otherwise there is not only the expense of rebuilding
the structure to be faced, but the construction of the work
will be delayed possibly into another season.
In order to ensure that the works below water are constructed
in a substantial manner, it is absolutely necessary that the
resident engineer, at least, should be able to don a diving
dress and inspect the work personally. The particular points to
which attention must be given include the proper laying of the
pipes, so that the spigot of one is forced home into the socket
of the other, the provision and tightening up of all the bolts
required to be fixed, the proper driving of the piles and
fixing the bracing, the dredging of a clear space in the bed of
the sea in front of the outlet pipe, and other matters
dependent upon the special form of construction adopted. If a
plug is inserted in the open end of the pipes as laid, the
rising of the tide will press on the plugged end and be of
considerable assistance in pushing the pipes home; it will
therefore be necessary to re-examine the joints to see if the
bolts can be tightened up any more.
Messrs. Siebe, Gorman, and Co., the well-known makers of
submarine appliances, have fitted up at their works at
Westminster Bridge-road, London, S.E., an experimental tank, in
which engineers may make a few preliminary descents and be
instructed in the art of diving; and it is distinctly more
advantageous to acquire the knowledge in this way from experts
than to depend solely upon the guidance of the divers engaged
upon the work which the engineer desires to inspect. Only a
nominal charge of one guinea for two descents is made, which
sum, less out-of-pocket expenses, is remitted to the Benevolent
Fund of the Institution of Civil Engineers. It is generally
desirable that a complete outfit, including the air pump,
should be provided for the sole use of the resident engineer,
and special men should be told off to assist him in dressing
and to attend to his wants while he is below water. He is then
able to inspect the work while it is actually in progress, and
he will not hinder or delay the divers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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