The naval dry docks of the United States Volume 1-2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 Excerpt: ...for some time, but eventually also settled about one foot for a distance of fifteen to twenty feet. The water evidently forced a passage under all the piles, except the inside row. I am yet undecided in my own mind, whether it passed under the inside piles, or through their interstices, but am inclined to the opinion, that it found a passage beneath all of the piles. The inside row of piles was driven from ten to fifteen feet deeper than the level of the excavation where the water burst up. The current of water at the breach rendered it impossible to take the soundings accurately. There appears to be about ten feet greater depth of water than before the breach, on the outside, at the corner of the Dam and cob-dock. Although the Dam filled slowly, it was impossible to take any measures to prevent the breach, and the force was immediately set at work, to open a passage for the water around the Dam, and prevent the pressure from increasing the extent of the damage. This passage was opened at half-past five, and by seven o'clock the water in the Dam was within six feet of the height on the outside, and no further damage was apprehended. A sketch will be immediately prepared, and forwarded to the Department, showing the situation of the breach, and all other particulars, as to the depth of the water and excavations in the vicinity. The plan proposed, for repairing the breach, will also be forwarded at the same time as the sketch. A large force was employed at the excavation, but I have given directions to reduce it three fourths, reserving the full force of mechanics, to obtain the greatest dispatch in completing the repairs. This breach occurred, adjoining to, and a part of, that portion of the Dam which was forced in, on the 2d of February last, and which was ...