Seuss, John L. [Journal with plans for Bombproof Structures]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06166.01 Author/Creator: Seuss, John L. Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: circa 1863 Pagination: 138 p. ; 32.0 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
p. 1-2 blank
p. 3 has two graphite technical drawings: top seems to be gun turret from top view; bottom seems to be above view of internal defenses of a fort.
p. 4-5 "Breach & Contra-Batteries" with color technical drawing of fascine. Re: building of fascine, or constructs to aid in the siege of forts.
p. 6-7 "Covered Batteries" re: covering of batteries which would be exposed to enemy fire.
p. 7-8 "Covered B' in dry ditches" with two color technical drawings of covered batteries re: variant on covered battery explanation.
p. 9-13 "On Arches in Fortifications" with 7 diagrams of arches re: use of arches in the construction of military fortifications, with sections on "Effect of Load or Pressure," "Strength of Arches," "Practical Rules," and "Rules for Abutments."
p. 13-17 "Adobe" re: use and creation of adobe mud blocks for engineering.
p. 18-19 "Breaching" re: destructive power of cannon shot against constructed walls, includes sections on "Derrick," "Parbuckles," and "Friction Primer for Cannon."
p. 19-24 "Hollow Iron Cyls sunk by Atmospheric Pressure" re: use of sinking iron cylinders upwards of 65 feet into the ground to form solid foundation in construction of bridges and train trestles.
p. 25-28 "Foundations on Wooden Piles and Caissons" re: use of "New London Bridge" and "New Westminster Bridge" as examples of construction using wooden piles.
p. 29-30 "On Be'ton Coignet" re: use of this material in construction.
p. 31-36 "Roofs" re: the construction of roofing for structures.
p. 36-59 "Fragments from Brialmonts treatise on 'Polygonal Fortification'" re: principles and construction of multisided fortifications.
p. 60-68 "Fortifications of Washington (during the war of secession)" with four technical drawings re: construction of fortifications for the defense of Washington DC.
p. 68-69 "On the use of Iron in Modern Fortifications" re: use of iron to strengthen fortifications.
p. 69-74 "Keplers Laws" with diagram re: a discourse on the forces involved in a "planets orbit."
p. 75 "Rural Homes" re: facing of a house. Rest of page covered with assorted calculations, as is bottom of page 74.
p. 76 "Retaining Walls" with small diagram re: construction of a retaining wall in preventing earth from abutting on edifice.
p. 77 "Arches" with technical drawing re: construction of an arch.
p. 78 "Pendulums" re: physics of motion of a pendulum.
p. 78-79 "Strength of Materials" re: tensile strength of construction materials.
p. 80 "Trusses" written in German
p. 81 Chart of figures related to latitude/longitude light correction.
p. 82 Calculations used for chart on page 81.
p. 83-84 blank
p. 85 Diagram of octagon with several angle measures shown.
p. 85-86 Written in German.
p. 87-138 Various calculations and diagrams. All written upside down, as apparently Suess flipped book over to use as a calculation notebook.
p. 87/88 missing lower outside corner, as it has been torn out.
p. 95/96 has had section removed by being cut out.
p. 97/98 has been entirely torn out
p. 105/106 has been entirely torn out
p. 107/108 has been entirely torn out
p. 111/112, 113/114, 115/116, 117/118, 119/120, 121/122 have been entirely torn out
p. 123/124 missing lower outside corner, as it has been torn out.
p. 125/126, 127/128, 129/130, 131/132, 133/134, 135/136 have been entirely torn out.
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