The Ship-Worm

Abstract

Teredo navalis certainly is able to endure a long continuance of fresh water. At the town of Brisbane (Queensland), piles, &c., are sheathed with “Muntz metal” to prevent its attacks. The river is subject to long-continued freshes. I remember one which lasted at least ten days, and during that time ocean-going steamers could not ascend to the town, the flood was so powerful. Brisbane is situated far below the extreme salt-water flood, but whenever there is a fresh in the river, of even small amount, the water at that town is (according to my recollection) rather more fresh than salt at the end of each ebb tide.