Canals and pile-driving: a red-chalk water study
Notes on making a great canal from a small one and on driving piles, over a large red-chalk drawing with measurements
A large red-chalk drawing covers the whole leaf, worked over with letters, numbers and measurements. The brief notes concern water works: how piles are customarily driven, and a method of making a great canal by first cutting a small one and feeding it water that, by a wheel, will form the great one. A further note advises crossing a watercourse at the start of its motion and at its widest. The drawing itself is not fully transcribed.
On this page
Make the great canal by first making the small one
A note recording the customary way of driving piles, and a method for the excavation: to make the great canal, first cut the small one and give it water which, by means of a wheel, will make the great one.
Where to cross a watercourse
A rule for fording: always cross the water at the beginning of its motion and at its widest point.