Dredging is a term applied to the operation of removing mud, silt, and other deposits from the bottom of harbours, canals, rivers, docks, etc. The most simple dredging apparatus is the spoon apparatus, which consists of a strong iron ring or hoop, properly formed for making an impression upon the soft matter at the bottom, so as to scoop it into a large bag attached to the ring and perforated with a number of small holes. The means for working it is a long handle, a suspending rope, and a crane or sweep-pole planted in a boat.
Much more effective was the steam dredging-machine that became common during the 19th century. It had a succession of strong iron buckets on an endless chain, which traversed on a frame whose lower end was vertically adjustable so as to regulate the depth at which it worked. It was worked by steam, and the buckets tore up the matter at the bottom, raised it, and discharge it into punts or hoppers close to the dredging vessel. Various forms of steam - pump dredgers, in which suction-pipes were the chief features, were also used.
The river Clyde, from being a shallow stream, was converted, mainly by dredging, into a waterway carrying large vessels up to Glasgow.
Dredging rivers for gold has been largely carried on since the 19th century; and the gold-dredge may even be floated in water artificially supplied.
Dredging is also the operation of dragging the bottom of the sea for molluscs, plants, and other objects, it may be for scientific observation. The oyster-dredge is a light iron frame with a scraper like a narrow hoe on one side, and a bag attached to receive the oysters. The dredges used by naturalists are mostly modifications of or somewhat similar to the oyster-dredge. Scientific dredging assumed a high importance at the end of the 19th century for research into the life of deep-sea areas, before the invention of deep-sea diving equipment and cameras. Research Dredging
Laws of Bretts and Scots was the name given in the 13th century to a code of laws in use among the Celtic tribes in Scotland, the Scots being the Celts north of the Forth and Clyde, and the Bretts being the remains of the British inhabitants of the kingdom of Cambria, Cumbria, or Strathclyde, and Reged. Edward I issued in 1305 an ordinance abolishing the usages of the Scots and Bretts. Only a fragment of them has been preserved. Research Laws of Bretts and Scots
Ginger Gold is an American variety of apple. It apparently owes its life to Hurricane Camille, which roared through Virginia in 1969. It destroyed much of the orchard of Clyde and GingerHarvey near Arrington, south of Charlottesville in the VirginiaPiedmont. Several years later they found a tree that had grown from a seed that had apparently been washed into the orchard from elsewhere, perhaps during the hurricane, and was nothing like what had been planted there before. A nursery budded the first trees in the early 1980s, and horticulturists concluded the Harveys had a unique variety on their hands. They sold some of the apples locally and called the variety by Mrs. Harvey's first name. Its yellow appearance derives from its probable Golden Delicious parentage. Pippin is thought to be one of the other varieties in its genetics. Ginger Gold matures about six weeks before Golden Delicious and has a spicy sweet flavour. Its texture is firm and white, and it stores well under refrigeration. Research Ginger Gold
Cneius Julius Agricola was a Roman consul, general and colonial governor. He was born in 37 and died in 93. A Roman consul under the Emperor Vespasian, and governor in Britain, the greater part of which he reduced to the dominion of Rome he distinguished himself as a statesman and general. His life, written by his son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, gives the best extant account of Britain in the early part of the period of the Roman rule. He was the twelfth Roman general who had been in Britain, but was the only one who effectually subdued the southern portion of it and reconciled the Britons to the Roman yoke. This he did by teaching them the arts of civilization and to settle in towns. He constructed the chain of forts between the Forth and the Clyde, defeated Galgacus at the battle of the Grampians, and sailed round the island, discovering the Orkneys. Research Agricola
Archibald Forbes was a Scottish journalist and war correspondent. He was born in 1838 and died in 1900. He received a university education at Aberdeen and served for some years in the Royal Dragoons, but gave up the army for journalism. As war correspondent of the Daily News he was with the German army in 1870 to 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, subsequently visiting Paris at the time of the Commune, India during the 1874 famine, and Spain. He accompanied the Prince of Wales in his Indian tour of 1875 to 1876, and was an eye-witness of the Servian war of 1876, and the Russo-Turkish war of 1877, going to Cyprus in 1878. He was under fire during the Afghanistancampaign of 1878 to 1879; next visited Mandalay, and accompanied Lord Chelmsford's army in Zululand, being the first to telegraph home news of the victory of Ulundi in 1880. His health now began to break down, and he devoted himself chiefly to lecturing. His chief publications were: My Experiences in the Franco-German War; Glimpses through the Cannon Smoke; Chinese Gordon; Souvenirs of Some Continents; William I of Germany; Barracks, Bivouacs, and Battles; Havelock; The Afghan Wars; Czar and Sultan; Colin Campbell, LordClyde; Memories and Studies of War and Peace; and Life of Napoleon III. Research Archibald Forbes
King Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon and the Princess Igerna, wife of Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, and ruled Britain around the 5th century. He married Guinevere or Ginevra; established the famous order of the Round Table; and reigned, surrounded by a splendid court, twelve years in peace. After this, as the poets relate, he conquered Denmark, Norway, and France, slew the giants of Spain, and went to Rome. From thence he is said to have hastened home on account of the faithlessness of his wife, and Modred, his nephew, who had stirred up his subjects to rebellion. He subdued the rebels, but died in consequence of his wounds, on the island of Avalon. The story of Arthur is supposed to have some foundation in fact, and has ever been a favourite subject with our romanticists and our poets. It is generally believed that Arthur was one of the last great Celtic chiefs who led his countrymen from the west of England to resist the settlement of the Saxons in the country. But many authorities regard him as a leader of the Cymry of Cumbria and Strath-Clyde against the Saxon invaders of the east coast and the Picts and Scots north of the Forth and the Clyde. Research Arthur
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Research Dredging
