His project was to construct a railway with a sufficient number of tracks, and to raise ships of the largest size on the principle applied in locks of ordinary canals.
He had a contrivance made of stout beams which would hold and support a loaded vessel to which it was adjusted.

The beams were to operate something like the keys of a piano, and the whole operation was something like that by which hatters measure and record the shape of a man's head.

This plan received the hearty commendation of some very eminent engineers, including Major Reed of England, the highest authority of such subjects, the constructor of the dry docks at Malta.

The scheme had a good many supporters in Congress.

I think it would have been adopted but for Captain Eads's premature death.
Rather a singular coincidence took place when I was interesting myself in this matter which possibly may be not too trivial to record.