APPARATUS FOR STOPPING COLLISION OR OTHER HOLES IN SHIPS OR SIMILAR VESSELS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Beckitt Wilkie of North Shields in the County
of Northumberland Shipwright for an Invention of APPARATUS FOR STOPPING
COLLISION OR OTHER HOLES IN SHIPS OR SIMILAR VESSELS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Beckitt Wilkie
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1883.
JOSEPH BECKITT WILKIE of North Shields in the County of Northumberland
Shipwright, "APPARATUS FOR STOPPING COLLISION OR OTHER HOLES IN SHIPS
OR SIMILAR VESSELS
"
At
My invention relates to mechanical appliances operated from the deck or inboard
by means of which holes in ships or other similar vessels, under or near the water
line made by collision, by shot or other causes may be quickly and effectually
closed, from the outside without internal connexion, and consists of an apparatus
formed of two booms or legs hinged at top ends (like shear legs) one of them
having at its lower end the stopper freely attached to it of such a size and
shape as to cover any ordinary hole made by collision. The stopper is fitted on
the side next the skin of ship, with some elastic or yielding cushion which will
adapt itself to any inequalities of the surface, which cushion I prefer to form of
hollow tubes of India rubber. The other shear leg is fitted at its lower end with
an appliance which will enable it to be fixed firmly on any part of the deck.
a certain point below their hinged ends the two legs are each fitted with blocks
and tackle or other appliance by which they may be drawn to-gether and they are
also fitted with side guy ropes or stays. When required for use the apparatus is
erected over the position of the whole and the outer boom or leg with the stopper
is lowered over the side guided by hand lines till the stopper covers the hole.
The inner boom or leg is now stepped to the deck in a suitable position and the
side guys or stays made fast. The tackle of the blocks on the two legs is now
hauled upon till the stopper is drawn tightly against and over the hole closing it
by means of the cushion perfectly water-tight when it may be further secured
against shifting by stay ropes carried away from it to any convenient parts of
the ship.
The apparatus when not in use folds together and can be stowed away in a
very small space and all the working parts are such as are easily handled by
sailors

page_text: Figure 3 shews the apparatus packed for stowage when not required folding
together in very small space.
The booms or shear legs A and B I prefer to make of thin lapwelded iron
or steel tubes with suitable fittings inserted in their ends, as being lighter
than any other form either of iron or wood in proportion to their strength. I
prefer also for lightness and strength to make the pad or leak stopper C of
corrugated iron or steel with its edges turned inward toward side of ship to
receive the India rubber tubes which are attached to it by rivets or other
suitable fastening.
Instead of blocks and tackle a screw or other mechanical means may be used to
draw the pad into close contact with side of ship but I prefer blocks and tackle
as being more portable and easily handled by sailors.
Having now described my invention and illustrated the mode in which it may
be practically applied although the details may be varied I declare that what I
consider novel and therefore claim as secured to me by Letters Patent is
The combination of parts forming an apparatus for stopping leaks consisting of
Shear legs A and B a pad C with appliances for fixing in position and tackle or
gear for drawing the pad C into close contact with side of ship constructed and
operating substantially as shewn and described
In witness whereof I the said Joseph Beckitt Wilkie have hereunto set my
hand and seal this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three
JOSEPH BECKITT WILKIE (L.S.)
Witness:
T. J. DANSON F. Inst. P. A
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent
New Castle upon Tyne