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20 MARINE REVIEW. [April 26, DIMINISHING THE FORCE OF WAVES AND SURF. According to a consular report an Italian gentleman, Baron Ben- venuto d’Alessandro, living in Paris, 62 rue Bossiere, has invented a new method of protecting vessels at sea, entrances to harbors, light-houses, etc., from the force of waves and surf, which he claims is more efficient than the use of oil. His invention consists in retaining on the surface of the water an unsubmergible floating net by means of outriggers when used to protect vessels in storms at sea, and by attaching it to buoys when used to protect light- houses, hydraulic works in con- struction, entrances to harbors, etc. He bases the idea of his in- vention upon the principle that in covering the surface of the sea with a thin, flexible, light and floating body of whatever na- ture, the part covered forms a crust under which the molecules of the imprisoned mass of water cannot move in the same manner as the surrounding body of un- covered water, the result being that even the most violent waves, upon reaching the edge of the crust, instead of climbing over it, of breaking or of destroying it, will pass under it as if there were a fall or difference of level, become flattened out, and lose much of their force, The net used in the recent experiments at Havre was made of a thin hemp fiber, knitted in square meshes of 4 centimeters (1.57 inches), and afterwards waterproofed by the application of a solution of powdered cork and pure rubber. The material vu, the tinishcd net was 4 millimeters (0.12 inch) in thickness and light, weighing only 120 grams (414 ounces avoirdupois) per square meter (10.76 square feet). It was constructed by the Societe Industrielle de Telephones at Paris. The net was 110 meters (360.9 feet) long and 15 meters (49.2 feet) wide, made in four sections, securely fastened together. The two outside sections were 5 meters (16.4 feet) wide throughout the whole length of the net. The middle sections were also 5 meters (16.4 feet) wide, but extended only 10 meters (32.8 feet) from either end, leav- ing an open space in the center of the net 90 meters (295.27 feet) long and 5 meters (16.4 feet) wide. The inventor’s reason for constructing the net with an open space in the center is that in his numerous experiments with the net made in this way, when used for the protection of entrances 0.8/8" - Buoys Ff -Met * 1 1 1 1 1 ! i] ! ' 1 ! U to harbors, etc., he found the surface of the water enclosed in the free spaces to be always calm, as if it were actually covered by the net. The net with the open space is only used when it is anchored. For the pro tection of vessels at sea the net is made solid. The accompanying sketch shows the dimensions of the net and the arrangement of the buoys by which it was held in position. To illustrate the efficiency of the net in protecting hydraulic works in course of con- struction from the effects of a heavy surf. Baron d’Alessandro, about three weeks ago, placed his net off the middle of the north jetty of the new avant port at Havre, which is now finished for about 400 meters. The buoys BB were anchored in 50 feet of water, at high tide, in a posi- tion to secure the head of the net in the direction of the prevailing. west- erly winds and perpendicular to the jetty; the buoys B” B” being about 100 meters (828 feet) from it. At first only four buoys were used—BB and B”.B’”—but the anchors not being heavy enough to stand the force of the current, the buoys dragged, allowing the net to be slackened and take the form of a crescent. Afterwards, the buoys B’ B’ were added and the weight of the anchors increased. During a heavy westerly gale recently the net was held in position; but, on account of the seas hurling themselves against the jetty and breaking over it it was impossi- ble to approach near enough to observe the effects which the net pro- duced upon the portion of water protected. Mr. d’Alessandro is not dis- couraged by the unsatisfactory results of his experiments at Havre and intends in the near future to place his net in another position, in which, while being exposed to the heavy seas, it can be readily seen from the shore and its action judged. Other trials have been made of the floating net; in 1891 at Quiberon, Department of Morbihan, and in 1892 at Cherbourg. The silver service which the citizens of Albany will present to the cruiser Albany will be a set finished in French gray, oxydized. The punch bowl will have a capacity of 48 pints. It stands on an abony base on which is a silver plate inscribed: ‘Presented to the cruiser Albany.” On one side of the bowl is the Albany and on the opposite side the old Albany or U.S. S. Corvette, a two-masted sailing ship. The silver bowl rests on the ebony on standards formed of sturgeons. There are twenty- four goblets, a platter for roasts and game, two entree dishes, two oval jardiniers, a vegetable dish and two candelabras. In addition to the larger dishes there will be six round bon-bon dishes, six salts and salt spoons, six peppers and six vases, on all of which local symbolical deco- rations will prevail. Great claims are made for a buoy invented by a Mr. Fletcher, an English engineer. The buoy contains a complete electric lighting in- stallation—tully protected against the roughness of the waves and fur- nished with an electric lantern. As the buoy rides on the sea, the action of the waves, causing one portion of it to rise and fall continuously, sets a pump at work which throws a stream of water at high pressure onto a turbine. The turbine, revolving at a high rate, is connected to a dynamo which generates electricity, and thus it is claimed that at practically no cost, the beacon light is lit. Tools for 36” STANDARD LATHE—HEAVY. PATTERN. Economical Production. We build complete lines of Machine Tools for machine shop equipments, viz: Lathes, Planers, Drills, Shapers, Boring Mills, Etc. Investigate our lines before buying. . The American Tool Works Co., BUILDERS OF COMPLETE LINES OF MACHINE TOOLS, VY COP et SS: CIiniCinNNA TIL, NEW YORK OFFICE: 120 Broadway, Geo. Place, Agent. NEW ORLEANS: The Fairbanks Co. CHICAGO STORE: 68-70 South Canal Street. PHILADELPHIA: The Fairbanks Co. CLEVELAND: The Strong, Carlisle & Hammond Co. BOSTON STORE: 36 Federal Street. BALTIMORE: The Fairbanks Co, Supply Co. Finsbury, E. C. SAN FRANCISCO: Henshaw, Bulkley & Co. DENVER AND SALT LAKE CITY: The Mine & Smelter LONDON: Alfred Herbert, Ltd., 7 Leonard St., DUSSELDORF: de Fries & Co., Act. Ges., Graf Adolf Strasse, 83-87 ANTWERP: Nyssens Freres, 33 Rue des Peignes. BERLIN: de Fries & Co., Act. Ges., Kloster Strasse, 13-15. PARIS : Roux Freres & Cie., 54 Boulevard du Temple. MOSCOW: Alfred Stucken.