IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE DETERIORATION OF GRAIN WHEN DEPOSITED IN THE HOLDS OF VESSELS FOR SHIPMENT, AND ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAID METHOD AND APPARATUS TO VESSELS ENGAGED IN SHIPPING GRAIN FROM ONE PORT TO ΑΠΟΤΗΣΕ
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Griffiths Prossor, of Waterford, Merchant,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR PREVENTING THE DETERIORATION OF GRAIN WHEN DEPOSITED IN THE HOLDS
OF VESSELS FOR SHIPMENT, AND ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAID METHOD
AND APPARATUS TO VESSELS ENGAGED IN SHIPPING GRAIN FROM ONE PORT TO
ΑΠΟΤΗΣΕ.”
Sealed the 3rd October 1861, and dated the 9th April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Griffiths Prossor
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th April 1861.
I, HENRY GRIFFITHS PROSSOR, of Waterford, Merchant, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE DETERIORATION OF GRAIN WHEN DEPOSITED IN
THE HOLDS OF VESSELS FOR SHIPMENT, AND ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE
SAID METHOD AND APPARATUS TO VESSELS ENGAGED IN SHIPPING GRAIN FROM
ONE PORT TO ANOTHER," to be as follows, that is to say :-
In the shipment of grain in vessels from one port to another the grain is
generally loosely deposited in the holds of the ship, and in order to prevent the
ingress of moisture or water to it, the hatches and any other openings are
tightly closed; this has the effect of not only keeping out the water, but also of

page_text: preventing in a great measure either egress or ingress of air. When grain is
kept in a close vessel where there are no fresh currents of air a peculiar
chemical action takes place within it; if moisture, heat, and motion be given
to it under the same circumstances, the chemical action is much more active.
Hence, when grain is deposited in a ship under the circumstances before
described, there is always a chemical decomposition going on; when there is
added to this a leakage at any point, and rolling of the vessel, this action is
much increased, and quickly transmits itself through the whole mass, pro-
ducing what is called "heating," and greatly deteriorating the quality and
value of the grain. In order to obviate this, I propose to introduce a series
of perforated tubes, which I lay horizontally and vertically throughout the
mass of grain from the bottom upwards, all connected with each other, and
terminating in two or three main tubes, which pass a little way above the
deck. In some cases I encase or cover these tubes with a fine gauze or
netting, so as to prevent the grain from passing through the perforations into
the interior of the tubes; the effect of this is, that when foul or heated air, or
gas is generated in the hold amid the grain, it will pass into the tubes and be
discharged at the terminal mouths above deck; if necessary the action may be
increased by means of a suction or force pump; in like manner currents of
fresh sweet air can be circulated through the whole mass from the same
mouths. It is customary to use layers of planks placed almost similarly to
the mode in which I would distribute my system of pipes, the object of the
plank being to prevent as much as possible the rolling of the cargo. My
tubes will have the same effect, hence will not occupy any space uselessly.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent; filed
by the said Henry Griffiths Prossor in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th October 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
GRIFFITHS PROSSOB, of Waterford, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her. most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters 3
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Griffiths Prossor, Her special licence that I, the said
Henry Griffiths Prossor, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such 3
others as I, the said Henry Griffiths Prossor, my executors, administrators;

page_text: and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland; the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRE-
VENTING THE DETERIORATION OF GRAIN. WHEN DEPOSITED IN THE HOLDS OF
VESSELS FOR SHIPMENT, AND ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE BAID METHOD
AND APPARATUS TO VESSELS ENGAGED IN SHIPPING GRAIN FROM ONE PORT, TO
ANOTHER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry
Griffiths Prossor, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Griffiths Prossor, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed; to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say :-
When grain is shipped loosely in the holds of vessels, owing to the moisture
which accumulates at the bottom during the voyage, and the motion produced
in the grain by the rolling of the vessel, a chemical action is produced within
the grain, known by the name of "heating," which not only deteriorates the
grain in the vicinity of the action, but if continued for some time spreads
more or less through the whole cargo, producing considerable damage and
loss. Believing that the action is the result of partial fermentation induced
from the moisture, the motion, and change of temperature in the grain within
the Hold, I propose to obviate these deteriorating effects upon the grain by the
following means and appliances, that is to say:-I propose to carry through
the ship's hold, both vertically and longitudinally, a series of metallic tubes,
preferably formed of metal; these I dispose or arrange so as to form the
skeleton or framework of a series of compartments, each vertical and horizontal
tubes communicating with each other, and all being in communication with
one or more main vertical tubes, which terminate upon the deck; the whole
of the tubes have their peripheries perforated with small holes; each of the
aforesaid tubes I encase with another tube formed of wire gauze; or of net-
work, and so arranged as to leave a space between the outer periphery of the
perforated tube and the inner wire tube. The outer tube is prevented from
collapsing by means of ribs or diaphragms resting between: the outer and inner

page_text: tubes. The whole is placed within the interior of the vessel, and the grain
introduced into the hold. Should any heating or partial fermentation. be
induced within the grain, the foul air or gas generated will pass through the
wire tubes, and enter the perforations in the rigid tubes, and be carried up
and discharged out of the mouths of the vertical ones placed above deck; on
the other hand a current or currents of air will be forced down the tubes, and
passing throughout the corn will retain it at a cool and equable temperature,
and prevent the generation of the heating process; also by arranging the tubes
in a suitable manner an inward and outward draught may be obtained. The
outer mouths of the vertical tubes which project on deck are fitted with covers
so formed as to admit of air passing inwards, but to keep out any moisture.
If it should be required to force or pump air down the tubes to the interior of
the vessel so as to circulate through the grain, this can be effected by filling
the mouth of the deck tubes with a junction, and connect the latter to the
mouth of the pump. As it is usual with ships laden with grain to introduce
planks of wood, so as to form temporary partitions, and hence prevent the
grain from rolling about with the motion of the ship, my tubular arrangement
will effect the same purpose, hence will not occupy more room than the
present one.
In order more clearly to illustrate the nature of my Invention, and how the
same is carried out, I have to this Specification appended the accompanying
Drawings, which are intended, however, only to illustrate the principles I
adopt, and the general way in which I combine and apply them, as particular
details and arrangements will necessarily be introduced into each particular

page_text: laden with grain, for the purpose of preventing the heating or decomposition
of the said grain, by permitting the foul air to pass off through the said tubes,
and also for the purpose of allowing currents of air to pass or be forced
through the said grain by means of the said tubes, substantially as herewithin
described and set forth in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Griffiths Prossor, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
HENRY G. PROSSOR. (L.S.)