TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 



6G9 



It thus appears that, taking the strength of aluminium in relation lo its weight, 

 it possesses a mechanical value about equal to steel of 35 tons per inch. 



3. On tlie SoutTiavipton Docks. By A. Giles. 



The paper gave a short history of the Docks since they were commenced in 18.38. 

 They were opened in 1842. Additions were made in 1845, 1851, 1853, 1859, 1873, 

 and 1879. At present, one of the dry docks is being lengthened from 400 feet to 

 500 feet to accommodate larger steamers. In the concluding part of his paper, the 

 author compared the respective advantages as ports of Southampton and London. 



4. On the Itedaination of Bradiiig Harhour. 

 By R. F. Grantham, As.wc. M.I.G.E. 



This paper contains an account of the works in connection with this undertakiuo-. 



Reference is first made to tlie attempt of Sir Hugh Widdelton in 1020, to enclose 

 {he harbour, an area of about 700 acres, uncovered at low water. The line of the 

 embankment as laid out by him has been traced by the discovery of the piles of oak 

 which were then used. The attempt was successful for a time, but tlie land was 

 found to be not so good as was expected, and although crops of wheat, barley, oats, 

 cabbage seed, and rape seed were sown, no produce was obtained except from the 

 rape seed. 



In a few years the sea broke in, and the land was again until 1S79 continually 

 inundated at high water. 



In 1874 a company entitled the Brading Ilai'bour Improvement and Eailway 

 Company was formed, and in 1877 the work of constructing the embankment was 

 commenced. The paper describes the form of t!ie embankment and the difficulties 

 met with and failures experienced in closing the Bembridge end, and also gives 

 particulars of the methods adopted in piling and planking the gap. 



The sea was shut out in July, 1879, but in the following October again broke in. 

 Further attempts were made to close the gap, and at length the sea was finally 

 shut out at the end of February, 1880. The line of the present embankment 

 encloses an area of rather more than GOO acres. The works of lowering the sluices 

 the inverts of which were found to le at too high a level, and of the wharves 

 erected at tlie St. Helen's end of the embankment, are also referred to, as well as the 

 new channel for the river Yar in course of execution across the reclaimed land. 



The author states liis opinion that permanent pasture is the proper treatment 

 for reclaimed lands of that description. 



The reclamation works were undertaken not solely for the purpose of recoverino- 

 the land from the sea, but also with the object of improving the harbour, and 

 establishing a port for tlie trade on that side of the island, as well as opening up tho 

 villages of St. Helen's and Bembridge. 



5. Imjtrovements in Gas Illumination . By "W. SoGG. 

 This paper dealt with the fiiults existing in ordinary gas-burners, and the points 

 required in the construction of a good burner. The author showed that a much 



