A Novel System whereby Special Safety Appliances can be Used on Board Navigable Vessels for the Purpose of Stopping Leaks or Holes, Preventing the Vessel Sinking, or Raising it when Sunk, and for Saving the Lives of the Crew and Passengers in Certain Eventualities.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1899-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Novel System whereby Special Safety Appliances can be Used on
Board Navigable Vessels for the Purpose of Stopping Leaks or
Holes, Preventing the Vessel Sinking, or Raising it when Sunk,
and for Saving the Lives of the Crew and Passengers in Certain
Eventualities.
I, MARIE JOSEPH AUGUSTIN DEYDIER, Inventor, of Nyons, Dromè, France, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to a novel system whereby special safety appliances can
be used on board navigable vessels for the purpose of stopping leaks or holes,
preventing the vessel sinking or raising it when sunk, and for saving the lives
of the crew and passengers in certain eventualities.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto
appended three explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon,
Fig. 1 is a view showing the safety buoys and the tackle connected with them.
Fig. 2 is a view showing a buoy of elongated shape.
Fig. 3 shows a buoy holding device.
Fig. 4 shows a compressed air reservoir.
Fig. 5 is a plan and Fig. 6 a section of a raft.
Fig. 7 shows a railing for the raft.
Fig. 8 is a detail view.
Fig. 9 shows a buoy in section.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Sheet 3, are views of valves which are arranged in the
shell of the ship.
Referring to the drawings:-
Small buoys 1, made of a strong waterproof tissue (Fig. 1) constitute the basis
of the system.
Each buoy, provided with a mouth 2, is surrounded by a net 3, the cords 4
of which are knotted together. This net is provided with a ring 5.
An endless rope 8 is passed round a strong pulley 12, which is fixed to the
side of the vessel, near the water line, by means of a strap 13; and round a
imilar pulley 14 which is fixed to the bulwarks by means of a strap 15.
A device 6 for holding the buoy, and a rope 18 for working the apparatus are
ixed to the rope 8.
The dimensions of the apparatus are increased for big vessels and reduced for
mall ones.
The buoys may be made of an elongated shape as at Fig. 2. They are provided'
ith a mouth and two rings attached to the ends.
dvantages for some applications such as hereinafter specified.
This peculiar form has
The device (Fig. 3) for holding the buoy is composed of a fastening ring 7
nd a catch 6, which overlaps, at 9, the arm 10, which latter is acted on by
he spring 11.

page_text: '
A number of pulleys and their ropes are arranged round the vessel in one
or several lines (Fig. 1).
Compressed air-reservoirs, similar to the one represented in Fig. 4, are arranged
on the bridge, and fed by means of pumps worked by men. The holder 16 is
provided with flexible tubes 17, which, at, the desired moment, are unrolled
along the bulwarks and from which, at intervals apart smaller tubes 19 branch off.
A similar arrangement is provided on each 'tween-deck with some modifications
as required by. the locality where it is being operated.
A single air reservoir with its flexible tubes is sufficient for a small vessel
and a single air pump for a craft, whose tonnage necessitates the use of only a
small number of apparatuses.
Buoy holding devices (whose ring is substituted by a rod, screwed at the end),
are fixed on the bulwark but without interfering with the working of the pulleys,
and as low as the grappling by hand of the inflated buoys allows, which latter
have preferably the elongated shape shown at Fig. 2.
(
At every point in the interior of the vessel, where it is possible, collapsed
round or cylindrical buoys are fixed according to the space at disposal and the
necessary requirements. They are not in the way and are always ready to be
inflated..
The number of the apparatuses is, in all cases, so large that should any be
accidentally rendered useless it would not materially affect the efficiency of the
system.
Each large or small vessel is provided with an extra set of apparatuses and
with the necessary means for repairing the whole machinery.
Very strong valves, which open to the sea, are placed above the normal water
line of the ship (so as to ensure that they will work properly at the outside and
to enable them to be supervised from the inside) in such a manner that water,
which may have entered the vessel, can be automatically discharged, or at least
a great part of it in the same manner as with scupper holes. These valves are
illustrated at Figs. 1" 2" and 3ª Sheet 3. Fig. 1 is an exterior view and Fig. 2ª
an interior view of an external valve. Fig. 3 is a view of an internal valve.
The valves are arranged at openings made at suitable intervals apart round the
shell of the ship above the water line and they are arranged in pairs one (Figs. 1ª
and 2) at the outside and the other (Fig. 3ª) at the inside of each opening.
The external valve Figs. 1 and 2ª consists of a disc hinged at C to a strong
metal plate P which latter is securely bolted, through the holes b, to the side of
the ship. The dotted line S₁ Fig. 1a and the crossed lines S₁ Fig. 2ª indicate a
packing ring made of gutta percha which may be employed to ensure water
tightness. At the inside of the valve S a bolt V is provided for fastening the
valve when closed. To facilitate the closing of the valve a chain c is connected
to one of the bolts b and to the locking bolt V.
The internal valve (Fig. 3) is similar to the valve S with the exception that
it is somewhat larger. When it is turned into the dotted position (Fig. 3a) the
external valve S can be readily opened.
The internal valve serves as a protection against leakage should the external
valve not act properly from any cause.
The number of valves employed may
vary according to the size of the ship.
:
THE WORKING OF THE SYSTEM.
The buoy holding device being close to the side of the bulwark put the ring
of the empty buoy in it; put the mouth of the latter in communication with one
of the small tubes 19 which branch off from the tube 17 of the air reservoir 16
(Fig. 4) shut the mouth as soon as the balloon is about to be inflated and bring.
it on to the pulley 12 (Fig. 1); and this is easily done except when it has to be
immersed, in this latter case, several men are employed to raise the rope 18,
which, being made fast to the bulwark keeps the apparatus in position..

page_text: The reverse operation is effected without effort; raise the rope 8 and bring
the buoy to the side of the bulwark and allow it to collapse and disengage it.
In the interior of the vessel the working is very similar, and, except in a few
cases, far easier.
In order to carry out the operation methodically and promptly the crew is
divided into several gangs, each under the command of an officer and entrusted
with the working of a definite number of apparatuses.
The crew can be frequently drilled in the working of the apparatuses by
night and by day and in all kind of weather until the whole work is done
simultaneously throughout the vessel without confusion and with rapidity. This
constant drilling at the same time serves to keep the apparatuses in proper
working order.
THE USE OF THE BUOYS FOR STOPPING LEAKS IN VESSELS.
:
A number of buoys (varying with the size of the leak to be stopped) which are
very elastic, only being inflated to three fourths of their volume, are united
together so as to overlap each other and jut out at the outside in every direction;
being fastened together at the inside they form a device which serves to stop a
leak. In this case, the compression of the air can be increased if necessary in
order to force the water back. In order to complete the operation without loss
of time, an appropriate material, prepared beforehand, is placed as a pad, between
the edge of the hole and the buoys, which, without this precaution, would run
the risk of being worn and very soon cut. Besides, however numerous and
grave the leaks may be they can have no fatal consequences because a part of
the protective apparatuses organised before leaving the harbour and increased
when on the voyage, as is explained further on, always give time to utilize the
whole system which is so arranged as to almost entirely oppose the encroach-.
ments of the water.
The buoys can be very easily adapted for filling up portholes as well as leaks
by inflating them three quarters full and fastening them at the inside.
RAISING AND REFLOATING OF A VESSEL.
If, accidentally, the position of the wrecked vessel prevents the valves working
they can be utilized with the aid of external apparatuses for raising and refloat-
ing the vessel again. For this purpose, so far as circumstances permit, the.
valves are opened with care and then buoys at once inserted in the vessel and
inflated with air, exceptionally compressed, so as to force the water back. The
buoys are fastened at the inside so as to hermetically close the outlets of the
valves. These valves are in this case very carefully looked after.
SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATIONS.
The whole system, the metal parts of which are made of non-oxidisable metal,
can be applied to any vessel, the number of apparatuses being merely varied.
Two elongated buoys are enough for a small boat. Fastened with ropes they
float behind and are hooked to the buoy carrying device fixed, like those on the
bulwark, at the moment deemed opportune by the boatmen.
In warfare, vessels cleared for action, will have a great number of fireproof
apparatus, which will give them every possible protection and will allow them
to withdraw from the fight by their own exertions or by means of tugs when they
have become unmanageable.
Small vessels, which make long and dangerous voyages, will be provided with
a complete outfit, even rough or rudimentary, with the necessary repairing means.
Vessels provided with mechanical annaratuses for preventing them from foun

page_text: considerably reduced, especially is this the case with those apparatuses which
require pulleys, ropes, and hand operations which present difficulties which
those for the scupper and port holes and for the inside of the vessel do not
possess.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.
The system when thoroughly carried out will, nearly always, be able to be
employed preventively.
Before leaving the harbour, as soon as the cargo is complete, the buoys are
filled, as aforesaid, at least as far as the water line, giving free scope for the
working of the valves and their supervision. On dangerous seas and in fogs
and storms every measure is taken both at the inside and the outside and the
whole of the apparatus is ready to resist every kind of danger. As the danger
diminishes and disappears the vessel can be brought to the condition it was in
when leaving the harbour. But, however great the practical value of the
system may be, it is necessary not to lose sight of exceptional cases wherein the
vessel has to be abandoned.
RAFTS.
The raft, strongly made of wood, is mounted on very low wheels 20 (Fig. 6).
It has several watertight compartments 21 (Fig. 5) and a central compartment 22
large enough to contain such things as are absolutely necessary: reserve-pro-
visions in waterproof sacks, receptacles for drinking water, and a small machine
for making ice in order to supplement it if need be, buoys and a small machine
to inflate them, signals, light sails, cables and a folded railing. A small ring
formed by two half rings mounted on the branches 24 (Fig. 8) united by the
ropes 25 (Fig. 7), is applied to each hollow made at distances apart on the
metal standards 23, which latter turn within the rings when being screwed
into the sockets 26 (Figs. 5 and 6).
The standards 23 (Fig. 7) form, with the ropes 25, a movable railing which
can be folded and is only erected when circumstances require 'it.
The raft (Figs. 5 and 6) has a floor which allows of the watertight compart-
ment 22 being easily opened. The sockets 26, which must be well greased and
protected by caps, must be maintained in a proper condition for promptly receiv-
ing the lower ends of the standards of the railing.
Buoy holding devices are fixed on the sides, as on the bulwarks, in order
to hook the balloons on to them whenever necessary.
The number of rafts is in proportion to the maximum number of people usually.
taken on board.
The railings being folded in the central compartment, the separated or united
rafts are bound to the deck of the vessel by inclined planes, and are not in the
way to any perceptible degree.
To each raft is prominently fixed a number which is repeated on the life-
saving apparatus with which the sailors and passengers are provided so that,
when the vessel is sinking, each one can readily find out his own raft.
The vessel, even if almost submerged, can still float and be saved by means of
the apparatuses but every measure is taken to abandon it at the first signal. The
sailors and passengers, after they have put on their life saving apparatus go
to the raft to which they are appointed and take their places. The sailor who
has the highest grade takes the command of the raft and the railing is screwed
on and shut.
As soon as the situation requires it a portion of the bulwark is taken down,
at the order of the captain, and all the rafts put to sea and go away from the
vessel to which however they are still connected by means of cables. They try
then to group together and to unite by means of their railings so as to form
only a few big rafts which cut their ropes attached to the vessel only when

page_text: it begins to founder. The ships' boats can then tow the big rafts which latter
adopt an elongated shape.
If the vessel has to be abandoned in a hurry, the sailors and passengers,
wearing their life saving apparatus, go to their rafts, the railings of which are
screwed on, and bring them near the tackles referred to previously. They take
their places, and the tackle for each raft takes its raft off by the upper ropes
which are transversely stretched and cross in the centre and puts it in the sea,
the shipwrecked people standing against the railing to which they cling.
Each raft works and is put into the sea in the same manner without precipi-
tancy but without any loss of time.
As soon as the rafts are in the sea they go away from the vessel, and try then
to form groups and to come together as before explained. An officer can have
several rafts under his command. The sailors of all grades, wearing their life
saving apparatus, who have remained on board in order to put the rafts to sea
embark in the last boat protected by elongated buoys.
From time to time, the sailors and passengers are drilled in this mode of
saving life so as to prepare them.
INDIVIDUAL APPARATUS.
This apparatus is the known dress stuffed with ground cork covered with
lamp black numbered as before stated and fastened by means of straps round
the waist and neck, and to which a strong collar is added which is made in the
same fashion and which keeps the head of the shipwrecked person above water.
INDICATOR OF THE WRECK.
A buoy in the shape of a crown 27 (Fig. 9) carries a reel 28 on which a long
rope wound, which latter is marked at intervals apart, say every five yards,
and the loose end of which is fastened to the deck. The rope unrolls in propor-
tion to the depth the vessel sinks. With this device it is possible to know
again, later on, the place and the depth of the wreck if the latter has not sunk
so far down as to cause the loss of the device.
In order to attain the object more certainly several buoys may be employed.
CONCLUSION.
The system has been brought to the most extreme perfection on account of the
But it seems
fore-thought rendered necessary by the many catastrophes at sea.
to me that a partial and easy application and one which does not require any
modifications in the actual condition of the vessels would nearly always be
sufficient. Those who are interested will appreciate.
The navigation-companies, the ship-owners, and simple masters; ought to be
made, at least financially, responsible for every accident where the sailors and
passengers would become the victims if it were proved that they could have pre-
vented or lessened them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I consider novel and desire to claim is:-
A system such as hereinbefore set forth characterized by:-
1st. Numerous apparatuses independent of .each other, elastic, strong, light,
not occupying any considerable space as long as they remain empty and which
when inflated at the outside and at the inside of a vessel prevent the vessel
sinking in spite of the greatest damage sustained, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2nd. The water escape valves placed near the water line of the vessel, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1ª, 2ª, and 3ª of the
drawings annexed.

page_text: 3rd. Rafts, on very low wheels, provided with movable railings and the things
indispensable for shipwrecked people which are housed upon inclined planes.
secured to the deck so as not to interfere with the working of this ship, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.