John Smeaton and John Rennie (the elder). (original) (raw)
CONTENTS.
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INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS.
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SHIPPING AND HARBOURS.
Commercial and maritime greatness of England comparatively modern�Commerce conducted by foreigners�English adventurers�Supremacy of the Dutch�English and foreign piracy�English harbours�The Cob at Lyme Regis�Dover�Yarmouth�Docks at Liverpool�Docks on the Thames�The Thames the silent highway�Travelling by sea�Passage by ferries.
BEACONS AND LIGHTHOUSES.
Origin of lighthouses�Island of Pharos�Roman lighthouses at Boulogne and Dover�Whitby--The Saxon shore�Norse lighthouses�Flamborough�Pitch-pots on the south coast�Lights at Winchelsea�Dungeness�St. Catherine's Lighthouse�Lights by coal fires�The Trinity House�Jobbing of Lighthouses�Smalls Rock, Bristol�The Skerries�Eddystone�Rye and Arundel Lights�False Lights�The Tour de Cordovan.
OLD BRIDGES.
Old fords�Necessity for bridges�Ancient British bridges on Dartmoor�Roman bridges�Early English bridges�St. Swithin's, at Winchester�Croyland Bridge�Bow Bridge�Order of Brothers of the Norwich, Bridge�Bridge &c.�Rochester Bridges built by the early Churchmen at Burton, Norwich, Wade, &c.�Rochester Bridge�Wakefield Bridge�Monmouth Bridge�Llanrwst Bridge.
OLD LONDON BRIDGE.
Thames Ferry, between London and Southwark�John Overy and St. Mary Overy�The first London Bridge of wood�Rebuilt of stone�The foundations�Time occupied in the building�Description of the old bridge�The piers, roadway, and street�A second bridge on the Thames opposed�Westminster Bridge built by Labelye�Blackfriars Bridge�The Mylnes, engineers.
WILLIAM EDWARDS, BRIDGE BUILDER.
Memoir of William Edwards�His early life�Learns drystone wall-building�Self- education�Builds iron forges�Studies the ruins of Caerphilly Castle�His three successive bridges over the Taff�Pont-y-Prydd�His other bridges�His character�His sons also bridge builders.
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LIFE OF JOHN SMEATON.
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SMEATON'S BOYHOOD AND EDUCATION.
John Smeaton's birth and education�Leeds at the beginning of last century�Road communications of the neighbourhood�Austhorpe Lodge�Smeaton's mechanical amusements�Leeds Grammar-school�Smeaton's workshop�Hindley's account of his boyish occupations.
SMEATON LEARNS THE TRADE OF MATHEMATICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER.
Placed in an attorney's office�Attends the Law Courts in Westminster Hall�Learns the trade of mathematical instrument maker�Attends meetings of the Royal Society�His mechanical contrivances and inventions�His paper on the Natural Powers of Wind and Water to Turn Mills�An indefatigable student�Turns his attention to civil engineering�His tour in Holland.
THE EDDYSTONE ROCK�WINSTANLEY'S AND RUDYERD'S LIGHTHOUSES.
Dangers of the Eddystone Rock�Necessity for a lighthouse�Henry Winstanley�His eccentricities�Designs and erects the first lighthouse on the Eddystone�Is washed away in a storm�John Rudyerd�Builds the second lighthouse�Is destroyed by fire�Mr. Smeaton applied to for a design.
CHAPTER IV.
SMEATON'S LIGHTHOUSE ON THE EDDYSTONE.
Lord Macclesfield's recommendation of Smeaton as engineer of the new lighthouse on the Eddystone�His investigation of the subject�Decides that it must be built of stone�The design�His journey to Plymouth�His visits to the rock�Makes a model of the proposed building�Mr. Jessup appointed resident engineer, and the excavations commenced�Dangers of the work�Smeaton narrowly escapes shipwreck�Progress of the work�Smeaton's courage�His carefulness as to details�Smeaton on the Hoe�The lighthouse finished and the light exhibited�Its uses�The lights in the English Channel.
CHAPTER V.
MR. SMEATON'S EMPLOYMENT AS A CIVIL ENGINEER.
Smeaton appointed receiver for the Derwentwater estates�The roads and commerce of England�General want of capital�Smeaton extensively employed as an engineer�Improvement of navigations�Calder Navigation�His Report on the drainage of the Lincoln and Cambridge Fens�Various drainage works�Repairs London Bridge�Designs pumpin�engines�Erects bridge at Perth�Constructs Forth and Clyde Canal�Erects bridge at Coldstream�Designs improvements for the Carron Works�Banff Bridge�Hexham Bridge�St. Ives Harbour�Ramsgate Harbour�Use of the Diving-bell�Eyemouth Harbour�Mills and machinery erected by Smeaton�His improvements in Newcomen's steam-engine.
CHAPTER VI.
SMEATON'S PRIVATE LIFE�DEATH AND CHARACTER.
Smeaton's home at Austhorpe�His study and workshop�His blacksmith�Papers contributed to Royal Society�His tools�His lathe�His mechanical ingenuity and skill�His visits to London�Engineers' first club�His views of money�Refuses an engagement to serve the Empress of Russia�Determines to publish an account of his works�His opinion of literary composition�His manners--Anecdote of Smeaton and the Duchess of Queensberry�His domestic character�His benevolence�Recognition of his eminent intellectual ability�His great industry�Failure of his health�Death.
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LIFE OF JOHN RENNIE.
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CHAPTER I.
RENNIE'S BOYHOOD AND EDUCATION.
Rennie born at Phantassie, East Lothian�Scotland at the middle of last century�The roads�State of agriculture in the Lothians�The population�Their poverty and want of spirit�Engineering and architecture�Old bridges�The mechanical arts at the lowest ebb�The art of teaching�Grammar and parish-schools�Rennie's early education�His mechanical habits�His education under Andrew Meikle�Dunbar Grammar School.
CHAPTER II.
RENNIE'S MASTER-ANDREW MEIKLE.
Fletcher of Saltoun introduces barley-mills and fanners into Scotland�James Meikle�Popular prejudice against "artificial wind"�Andrew Meikle, millwright�Progress of agricultural improvement in East Lothian�Mr. Cockburn of Ormiston�Meikle's mills�Clumsy methods employed in thrashing grain�Various attempts made to invent a thrashing-mill�Mr. Kinloch's models�Andrew Meikle's invention of the thrashing-machine-His improvements in windmills�Drainage of Kincardine Moss�Meikle's mechanical ingenuity�His death.
CHAPTER III.
RENNIE BEGINS BUSINESS AS MILLWRIGHT AND ENGINEER.
Rennie frequents Andrew Meikle's workshop�Begins business as a millwright�Prepares designs and estimates�Attends the University of Edinburgh�Dr. Robison�Rennie's studies and amusements�Mills erected by him in Scotland�Tour in England�Visits James Watt at Birmingham�Rennie builds his first bridge near Edinburgh�Removes to Birmingham�Is engaged to superintend the erection of the Albion Mills, Southwark.
CHAPTER IV.
THE ALBION MILLS�MR. RENNIE AS ENGINEER.
London in 1785�Coaches and turnpike roads�Trade�The shipping of the Thames�Erection of the Albion Mills�The first employment of the steam-engine in driving mill machinery�Rennie's extensive use of ironwork in their erection�The Albion Mills destroyed by fire�Rennie's employment on similar works�Earl Stanhope and steam navigation�Rennie undertakes works of civil engineering�Constructs the Kennet and Avon Canal�The Rochdale Canal�The Lancaster Canal�Various canal works�The Royal Canal, Ireland.
CHAPTER V.
MR. RENNIE'S DRAINAGE OF THE LINCOLN AND CAMBRIDGE FENS.
Recommends the employment of the steam-engine in Fen drainage�Drowned state of the Lincoln Fens�Arthur Young's account of them�The East Fen�Sir Joseph Banks resolves upon their drainage�Mr. Rennie employed to devise a plan for draining Wildmore Fen�His comprehensive view of the subject of Fen drainage�His catchwater system�His report�The works executed�Great Hobhole Drain�Effects of the drainage on agriculture�His proposed improvement of the Witham at Boston�Reports on the drainage of the Great Level�Eau Brink Cut�Characteristics of Fen scenery.
CHAPTER VI.
MR. RENNIE'S BRIDGES.
Dr. Robison visits Rennie in London�Theory and practice in bridge-building�Early designs of bridges�Designs Kelso Bridge�Musselburgh Bridge�Projected cast-iron bridge over the Menai Straits�Boston Bridge�Rennie's various designs of bridges--Waterloo Bridge�Its distinctive features�Foundation of the piers�The centering�Mode of fixing the centres�The bridge road�Completion of the work�Southwark Bridge�The iron-work�Details of construction�Characteristics of the bridge.
CHAPTER VII.
THE BELL ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.
Dangers of the Bell Rock�Scotch lighthouses�Plans of a lighthouse on the Bell Rock proposed�Rennie requested to report�His recommendations adopted�Appointed engineer�Prepares detailed plans of the lighthouse�The excavations commenced�Dangers of the work described by Mr. Stevenson, resident engineer�Rennie's visits to the rock�Recommends modifications in the plans, which are adopted�The lighthouse finished�Mr. Rennie's claims as chief engineer vindicated.
CHAPTER VIII.
MR. RENNIE'S DOCKS AND HARBOURS.
Growth of the Trade of London�Pirates and plunderers on the Thames�Necessity for docks William Jessup, C.E.�Rennie's London Docks�Construction of the lock entrances�Arrangement of the working details�The East India Docks�Improved methods of working�Report on Wick Harbour�The River Clyde�Grimsby Docks�Invention of hollow quay walls�Holyhead Harbour�Hull Harbour and Docks�Invention of the dredging-machine�Leith Docks�Various harbour works�Rennie's principles of harbour construction�Ramsgate Harbour�Improvement of the Diving-bell.
CHAPTER IX.
MR. RENNIE'S WAR DOCKS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT WORKS.
Rennie extensively employed by Government�Defences of the coast�Defensive Works on the river Lea�The Hythe Military Canal constructed after his designs�Fulton's Torpedo�Report on the Government dockyards�Recommends extensive improvements and concentration of dockyard machinery�Plymouth, Portsmouth, Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham�His plan of a naval arsenal at Northfleet�Sheerness dockyard works�Construction of the great dockyard wall�Design of Medway improvement.
CHAPTER X.
PLYMOUTH BREAKWATER.
Plymouth Sound�Plans for its protection from southerly winds�Mr. Rennie's report thereon�His plan of a breakwater adopted�The works commenced�Methods employed�Effects of storms�Modifications of the plan�The works completed by Sir John Rennie�Uses of the breakwater.
CHAPTER XI.
MR. RENNIE'S LAST WORKS-HIS DEATH AND CHARACTER.
Rennie's extensive and various employment as civil and mechanical engineer�Advises the introduction of steam-power into the Royal Navy�The 'Comet' built�New London Bridge, his last great design�His private life�Failure of health�Short continental tour�His close application�Death�His portrait�Habits�Conscientiousness�Truthfulness�Anecdote of his handiness as a mechanic�Love of old books�Solidity of his structures�Conclusion.
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| | PAGE | | PAGE | | | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | Ancient manner of constructing Piers | 13. | Smeaton's Lathe | 195. | | Yarmouth Old Pier | 16. | Smeaton's Burial-place, Whitkirk | 209. | | Pharos, Dover Castle | 33. | Monumental Tablet in Whitkirk | 213. | | Old English Beacon | 39. | Map of Rennie's Native District | 217. | | Tour de Cordovan | 45. | Rennie's Birthplace, Phantassie | 229. | | Ancient Bridge on Dartmoor | 49. | Houston Mill | 238. | | Croyland Bridge | 56. | Portrait of Andrew Meikle | 245. | | Old Bow Bridge | 59. | Rennie's first Bridge | 259. | | Wakefield Bridge and Chantry | 64. | The Albion Mills | 268. | | Monmouth Bridge | 66. | Locks on the Rochdale Canal | 277. | | Llanrwst Bridge | 67. | Lune Aqueduct, Lancaster | 280. | | Old London Bridge, 1559 | 73. | Map of the Lincolnshire Fens before their Drainage by Rennie | 288. | | Old London Bridge, 1662 | 76. | Plan of Eau Brink Cut | 304. | | Portrait of William Edwards | 87. | Kelso Bridge | 310. | | Caerphilly Castle | 90. | Musselburgh Bridge | 311. | | Pont-y-Prydd | 93. | Boston Bridge | 314. | | Eddystone Lighthouse | 100. | Section of Waterloo Bridge | 319. | | Map of Smeaton's Native District | 102. | Centering of Waterloo Bridge | 321. | | View of Leeds, early in the century | 104. | Waterloo Bridge (Skelton's) | 326. | | Whitkirk, near Leeds | 108. | Southwark Bridge | 329. | | Map of coast of Devon and Cornwall | 115. | Waterloo Bridge (Leitch's) | 334. | | Winstanley's Lighthouse (Eddystone) | 118. | Section of Bell Rock Lighthouse | 345. | | Rudyerd's Lighthouse (Eddystone) | 124. | View of Bell Rock Lighthouse | 349. | | Section of Smeaton's Lighthouse | 140. | Portrait of William Jessop | 359. | | Plan of the 46th course | 145. | Plan of London Docks | 360. | | Progress of the works to the 15th course | 147. | Plan of East and West India Docks | 364. | | Smeaton on the Hoe | 149. | Plan of Holyhead Harbour | 372. | | Light at the Nore | 158. | View of Holyhead Harbour | 373. | | Old London Bridge, before the alteration of 1758 | 166. | Method of using the Diving-Bell | 386. | | Old London Bridge, after the alteration | 167. | Plan of proposed Docks at Northfleet | 400. | | Coldstream Bridge | 172. | Plan of Sheerness Docks | 403. | | Banff Bridge | 175. | Plan of Medway Improvement | 408. | | Plan of St Ives Harbour | 179. | Map of Plymouth Sound | 411. | | View of St Ives Harbour | 180. | Plymouth Breakwater from Mount Edgcombe | 415. | | Map of Ramsgate and Harbour | 182. | Near View of Plymouth Breakwater | 422. | | View of Ramsgate Harbour | 183. | Section of the Breakwater | 424. | | Plan of Eyemouth Harbour | 188. | Portrait of Captain Huddart | 428. | | View of Eyemouth Harbour | 189. | View of New London Bridge | 436. | | Smeaton's House at Austhorpe | 192. | Section of Bridge | 437. |
| | PAGE | | PAGE | | | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | | John Smeaton F.R.S., Civil Engineer. | Title | The Rochdale Canal. | 278. | | The Cob at Lyme Regis. | 14. | The Wyre Aqueduct. | 279. | | London Docks, 1845. | 21. | The Lune Aquaduct. | 281. | | The Pharos of Alexandria. | 31. | Wildmoor Fen. | 285. | | The Pharos at Dover Castle. | 33. | Blankney Fen. | 286. | | Cordouan lighthouse. | 46. | Sir Joseph Banks. | 289. | | Clapper Bridge at Postbridge, Dartmoor. | 49. | Anton's Gowt. | 295. | | Trinity Bridge, Crowland. | 57. | Hobhole Drain. | 296. | | Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale. | 60. | Metheringham Fen. | 305. | | Wakefield Bridge and the Chantry Chapel. | 64. | Rennie's London Bridge (Arizona). | 306. | | Pont Fawr, Llanrwst. | 68. | Musselburgh Bridge. | 312. | | Old London Bridge. | 69. | Rennie's Waterloo Bridge. | 326. | | Westminster Bridge around 1750. | 82. | Sectional view of Southwark Bridge. | 327. | | Blackfriars Bridge under construction, 1764. | 84. | Bell Rock Lighthouse (sketch). | 335. | | The Usk Bridge. | 94. | Robert Stevenson, Civil Engineer. | 341. | | Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth. | 130. | Stevenson's 'improved' lighting apparatus. | 342. | | The Eddystone Lighthouse today. | 155. | Bell Rock�the "Barrack". | 343. | | Calder and Hebble canal. | 161. | The Bell Rock Lighthouse: illustration. | 344. | | Isle of Axholme drains. | 164. | The Bell Rock Lighthouse today. | 350. | | Queensbury Bridge, Amesbury. | 168. | Pool of London, 1841. | 352. | | Perth Bridge. | 169. | East and West India Docks. | 364. | | Coldstream Bridge. | 173. | Jesse Hartley | 366. | | Smock mill at Spital Tongues. | 190. | Harbour light at Howth. | 375. | | St Mary's Church, Whitkirk, Leeds. | 214. | Harwich High and Low Lighthouses. | 376. | | John Robison. | 254. | The Royal Military Canal. | 391. | | Joseph Black. | 255. | Plymouth Breakwater. | 410. | | James Watt. | 258. | Plymouth Breakwater�1844 plan. | 425. | | The Kennet and Avon Canal (map) | 274. | John Rennie. | 426. | | Avoncliffe Aqueduct. | 276. | East Linton - Bronze plaque of John Rennie. | 452. |