S08 History of Meclmnical Inventiom^ <^c. 
From the heavy running ebb-tide, and the prevailing strong 
south-westerly winds, a difficulty occurs, in such cases, in laying 
the boat safely alongside of the South Pier. To obviate this, I 
propose that there be placed two flat mooring buoys, in a line 
with the South Pier, and at such distance from each other as 
may best suit the ebb-tide. These buoys will float horizontally ; 
and, from the centre, there will be a strong upright iron rod of 
about 10 feet in height, with an eye or ring at top. From each 
of these rings a strong chain will proceed to the pier, hung in a 
festoon form, with some spare chain lying upon the Pier. 
During the first run of the ebb, the lower chain will be al- 
lowed to go down to the bottom of the water, that the boat may 
pass over it. The boat will then be directed to the upper buoy, 
when, the steam-engine being stopped, the boatmen will take a 
turn of the chain round one of the timber heads, and ease it olf, 
till she fall slowly alongside of the Pier. This will prevent all 
injury arising from sudden concussion against the masonry. At 
half ebb the other chain will be used in a similar manner. 
These mooring-buoys wiU also be of use in swinging the boat 
clear of the Pier, during the heavy run of the ebb-tide. 
There is an obstruction of a formidable nature, regarding the 
passage being made during winter, in long and continued severe 
frost, when the river is often covered from side to side with large 
floating shoals of ice. To obviate this, I would propose that 
the sides of the boat should be sheathed with sheet-iron, such as 
is used for the ice-boats of the Forth and Clyde Canal ; that the 
paddle-boards should be of strong iron in place of wood ; and 
that at each end of the boat there should be a number of stamp- 
ers to be wrought by the engine. These, I am of opinion, 
would easily and completely break the ice ; and the power of 
the engine would propel the boat, so as to make the passage ge- 
nerally at all times. 
If, however, it shall happen, that, during very severe storms 
of continued frost, a passage cannot be effected by this means, 
passages can be made always at high-water, as at this time all 
the ice has passed upwards. 
I conclude that this mode of forcing a passage during the com 
tinuance of the ice upon the river, may be effected by the means 
