ELLET

ELLET 01.01. 1810 Penn’s Manor PA/USA 21.06. 1862 Cairo IL/USA Charles Ellet, Jr., attended the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris, France, proposing a suspension bridge across Potomac River in 1832. He was then chief engineer of James River and Kanawha Canal. In 1842 he designed and built the first major wire-cable suspension bridge of the USA over the Schuylkill River at Fairmount PA, spanning some 100 m. In 1847 he built a suspension bridge across Niagara River below the falls whose length was more than 200 m. After having been involved in a number of railroad projects Ellet developed theories for improving flood control and navigation of the midwestern rivers. He had advocated in 1849 the use of reservoirs built in the upper reaches of drainage basins to retain water during the wet season, which was then released during periods of low discharge to improve navigation. This then would also tend to reduce the level of flooding during high flow. The Secretary of War directed Ellet in 1850 to make surveys and reports on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to prepare adequate plans for flood prevention and navigation improvement. His report had a considerable influence on later engineering. Ellet was appointed in 1861 colonel of engineers to develop the US Ram Fleet, corresponding to a group of rams on the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. He converted several powerful river towboats, heavily reinforcing their hulls for ramming. These ships had light protection for their boilers, engines and upper works, but later they were fitted with guns. Ellet led his flotilla in action during the Battle of Memphis in 1862, where these rams played a major role in the Union victory against the Confederate River Defense Fleet. However, Ellet died several days later of a wound received at that action. Ellet published the Report of the overflows of the Delta of the Mississippi River, which helped to reshape New Orleans’ waterfront. He also noted that an artificial embankment created an overflowing delta. His assertions were taken seriously only decades later and then used in flood control decisions. Anonymous (1963). Ellet, Charles. Who was who in America 1607-1896: 167. Marquis: Chicago. Ellet, C., Jr. (1845). The position and prospects of Schuylkill navigation company. Philadelphia. Ellet, C., Jr. (1852). Report on the overflows of the delta of the Mississippi River. Hamilton. Ellet, C., Jr. (1855). Coast and harbour defences, or the substitution of steam battering rams for ships of war. Clark: Philadelphia. Lewis, G.D. (1968). Charles Ellet, Jr.: The engineer as individualist. Illinois Press: Urbana IL. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ellet,_Jr. P

ELLIOT 06.01. 1910 Somerville MA/USA 09.12. 1983 Knoxville TN/USA Reed Archer Elliot graduated from Tufts College, Medford MA in 1933, with the BSc degree in civil engineering. He was recruited for employment with the Tennessee Valley Authority TVA in 1935, in the group of Dana M. Wood (1884-1954), head of the Power Studies Branch. This Branch developed plans for the unified development of the TVA water resources, identifying sites which would satisfy the basic tenants of the TVA Act, namely development for flood control, navigation, and power. Initially Elliot was a hydraulic engineering aide. From 1946 to 1954 he efficiently directed the TVA Branch. The proposals for construction of any water control project originated in that group, including the physical features, scope, costs and benefits, and the economic analysis. The results were published in a report, and if approved by the TVA Board, used as a basis for obtaining the first appropriations from the Congress. In 1955 Elliot was appointed director of the Water Control Planning Division, in which position he directed the work of six Branches, comprising the Division. He supervised these organizations ably throughout the following 18 years, making notable contributions to TVA during the floods of 1957, 1963, and 1973 when reservoir operations have been given credit for reducing enormous flood damages. Elliot retired in 1973, after 38 years of professional career with TVA. He left his mark on the organization, where he was remembered as a highly efficient director. He was Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE, and president of its Knoxville Branch, serving also on various ASCE Committees. He also was member of the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses PIANC, and the US Commission on Large Dams, chairing its Study Group in stream Channelization. He further was a registered engineer in the State of Tennessee. He authored a number of papers in the Civil Engineering Journal. He was in 1971 honored for his work, and was named one of the Top Ten Public Works Men of the Year, by the American Public Works Association APWA. Anonymous (1948). Elliot, Reed A. Who’s who in engineering 6: 579. Lewis: New York. Anonymous (1984). Reed A. Elliot. Trans. ASCE 149: 361-362. Elliot, R.A. (1957). TVA develops its rivers. Civil Engineering 27(1): 14-17. Elliot, R.A. (1973). The TVA experience: 1933-1971. Man-made lakes: Their problems and environmental effects: 251-258. AGU: Washington DC. https://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/photo/nfnc/nfnc_set_broadhead/nfnc_broadhead_al.htm P