ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT AT THE BREAKWATER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 490, 23 November 1877, Page 2

ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT AT THE BREAKWATER.

At the meeting of the Harbo'ir Board F.oard to day the >Si oivtary (Air. Forres! e;) read a memorandum witi i\ ferenoo in .-.otne improvements which lie as < fiveted :n the mode <if lifting and I >wering the concrete blocks at the Breakwater. Tue arrangement, although not a new inveiirion. is one which we believe has never before been applied to the purpose to which Mr. Forrester h;:s succeeded in adapting it, and he is tlurefore entitled to some considerable prai.se for t e i;i-gt-nuity he bus displayed in improving to st) great an extent upon tlie former mode of lifting and lowering tiie massive Concrete blocks which form the Breakwater. This is not the first improvement which Mr. Forrester has effected in t e method of carrying on the harbour works, and we are t < refoi'e pleased to notic? that, the Board has p!ao d on record its appreciation <>f Mr. Forrester's tiforcs to promote the expeditious carrying out of the works, more i specially as such improvements can s-ca.rci.ly be considered a portion of his duties. Already a considerable saving of both time and money has been etlected through Mr. Forrester's ingenuity, and his latest contrivance is likely to add still further to that saving. The improved appliance for lifting and lowering blocks of concrete consists of a chain and coupling, and is applied in the following m inner :—Tiie blocks are prepared with a channel at each end, on the bottom, and one side, sufficiently large to allow tlie chain to pass easily through the Same. Tae loose end of the chain is passed round one side and under the block through the channel, and brought up about 18 inches on the other side of tlie block, where it meets a straig it hook attached to the other tiui of the chain, by a long link, upon which is placed a slip link. Tiie loose end of the chain u

passed over the hook, which is then brought up so as tr> be parallel 'with, the Wg link. The slip link is broiig'it dowii over the Hook, and the coupling is complete. When the block is lowered, placed ill position, and the signal given to slack the chains/a light cord attached to the slip link is pulled, and the hook falls downward, releasing the loose end of the chain, whic i is easdy drawn through the channels and ready to be applied to another block.

The appliance i 3 very similar to the hook and slip link waggon coupling frequently used, and its adapta f iou to t 'e purpose of block layiig on the Breakwater will i liable t'ie work of block laying to be performed twicj as rapidly as heretofore, and at the same time admit of the blocks being laid cloSr! toget ier at t :c en ! , and tlie wall built solid throughout. Hitnerto the blocks have had to stand from a month to t-ix ue-ks I efor-j being lit to lift by levers or dowels, whereas, by the new appliance, they may bj lifted wit-i safety in a week or eight day-. Tne great strain on t:ie block by the L-v.r or do.vvl was a sirious drawback to their utility, as tie blocks were always in some danger of splitting. With tiiM new coupling the block is lifved from the b aioin free from any strain or pressure, and is in no danger <_>f splitting whatever.