DECEMBER 17, 1896] 
NATURE 
157 
these were weighted with stone brought down the Ohio 
River from a distance of 1320 miles, the quantity used 
amounting to 100,000 cubic yards. The mattresses used 
were about Ioo feet long, and from 4o to 50 feet wide. 
They were built on inclined ways at the head of the 
Pass, and when completed launched like a boat and 
towed floating to their place along the line of the jetty, 
and then loaded with stone and sunk. The same method 
of training the outfall of the river has been adopted on 
other parts of the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and of the 
United States. ; 
The jetties at the mouth of the river Maas, in Holland, 
were also constructed of fascine mattresses in a somewhat 
similar way. These piers are about one and a half miles 
in length, and terminate in a depth of twenty-two feet at 
low water. Experience shows that their elasticity saves 
them from any damage from the shocks caused by the 
impact of the waves. They were economical in construc- 
tion, and have been found after twenty years’ experience 
to stand the wear and tear of the waves of the North 
Sea. The great dam across the Zuyder Zee at Schelling- 
woude, in connection with the North 
Sea Canal, was also constructed with 
fascine mattresses on the exterior, the 
centre part being filled in with earth. 
Owing to the scarcity of material for 
making the fascines, this system of 
mattresses has not been employed in 
this country. But more than half a 
century ago fascine training walls were 
largely adopted for the improvement 
of the four large Fen rivers emptying 
into the Wash, and this system is still 
in use. They have answered their 
purpose admirably. The fascines are 
made of thorn faggots about three feet 
in girth, tied together by tarred rope. 
These faggots are brought to the spot 
where the training wall is being con- 
structed in barges, and placed in layers, 
the number of faggots in width de- 
pending on the height the wall is to 
be carried. Each layer is covered 
with clay or marsh sods, and the side 
next the river finished to a slope of 
about six inches horizontal to one foot 
vertical, the brush ends being placed 
outwards and trimmed up. Some- 
times the faggots are staked down, 
but this, as a rule, is not found to be 
necessary. This method of training 
has by experience been found to be 
economical, durable, and efficient ; 
and has this great advantage over 
stone training walls, that vessels which by accident run | 
on to the walls are not damaged in the way they are 
when they come in contact with the stone. 
A full description of this work, and also of the mattresses 
used in Holland and America, with illustrations, will be | 
found in the chapter on “Training,” in the work on 
w Tidal Rivers,” added a short time ago to Longmans’ 
Engineering Series. 
SIR WILLIAM ~MACGREGOR’S RECENT 
JOURNEY ACROSS NEW GUINEA, AND 
RE-ASCENT OF MOUNT VICTORIA. 
BY the courtesy of the Prime Minister of Queensland, 
Sir Hugh M. Nelson, I have been favoured with 
| 
the following copy of a telegram from His Excellency the | 
Administrator of British New Guinea to His Excellency 
the Governor of Queensland :— 
“Without loss of life or limb have crossed New Guinea 
1 Read at a special meeting of the Royal Geographical Society of 
Australasia, Brisbane, October 30, 1596. 
NO. 1416, VOL. 55 | 
from mouth of Mambare to mouth of Vanapa. Followed 
Mambare to foot of Mount Scratchley where river 
divides to embrace the mountain. Ascended Mount 
Scratchley, on top of which observed with small 
theodolite. Found easy road west of Stanley Range, 
without descending re-ascended- Mount Victoria to 
observe, but weather unfavourable. Descended Mount 
Knutsford, and found a not difficult road to coast. The 
miners have been at work at foot of Scratchley, probably 
the whole of which is auriferous. Wharton Chain 
connects Mount Scratchley with the great Mount 
Albert Edward, which is also well inside British 
territory. All these great mountains seem composed 
of slate and quartz. No natives between Government 
Station and Mount Scratchley. On the latter is very 
friendly tribe. Excellent relations with natives from 
Mount Knutsford to the coast. Had scarcely a single 
completely dry day. I strongly dissuade any travelling 
towards the interior before April or May. Native 
carriers will not be permitted to proceed inland with 
Government sanction before then, when all possible 
Fic, 2.—Constructing Fascine Mat on Mattress Ways. 
facilities will be given to prospectors during the dry 
season, (Signed) “Wm. MACGREGOR.” 
It is well known that in 1889 Sir Wm. MacGregor, 
who at that time had but very limited resources at his 
command, successfully accomplished the ascent of the 
Owen Stanley Range to its highest summit, which he 
named Mount Victoria. 
In the course of my official duties, the work of com- 
piling the map illustrating the explorer’s route on that 
occasion devolved upon myself, and I am consequently 
morally responsible for the correct delineation of all the 
features upon it, although this does not appear on the 
face of the map itself. At the same time I had the 
privilege of being the first to deal with, examine, and 
make public the geographical results of that famous 
journey, in a paper read, in Sir Wm. MacGregor’s 
presence, at a meeting of the Royal Geographical 
Society of Australasia, Brisbane, on September 2, 1889. 
I mention this to show that I have an intimate know- 
ledge of every detail connected with the work and results 
