Improvements in the Design and Construction of Steam Vessels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 24th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Design and Construction of Steam Vessels.
I, WILLIAM MUNRO of 3 Glen Street Hebburn on Tyne in the County of
Durham, Shipwright, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This invention relates to improvements in the design and construction of steam
vessels and has inter alia for its object to ensure the propeller being constantly
immersed so as to prevent racing of the engines and the risk of damage by floating
wreckage to the propeller while the formation of the hull as hereinafter described
may aid in giving greater control over the vessel in emergencies.
To effect my purpose I propose to form a tunnel along the bottom of the vessel
extending and gradually increasing in size from the bows to the stern.
The radius of the tunnel may be more or less constant throughout its length but
from the stern where it will be largest it will diminish at a required angle till at
the bows it dies out to nothing.
Such a tunnel may provide, about amidships, a sufficient sectional area to take
the propeller which thus situated is always immersed and likewise tends to drive its
water straight astern along the line of the tunnel formed as described in the ship's
bottom.
The engines may be placed right forward to drive the propeller situated in the
tunnel about the centre of the vessel. The tunnel will thus more or less tend to
form two ships placed side by side for which purpose a double stern piece and
rudders may be provided.
Such a tunnel constructed as described with its top built at the required angle
to the water or level line may tend to keep the ship's head to the sea in the
event of disablement as the vessel will always have a "water-keel" within the
tunnel to guide and steady her movements and the vertical angle of the tunnel may
alike tend to facilitate the forward motion of the vessel through the water.
In the event of a vacuum or air cushioning occurring in the tunnel air tubes or
valves may be provided in connection therewith to release any pressure possibly
arising from such a cause.
To compensate for loss of cargo space caused by the construction of the tunnel
as herein described, the vessel may be built with somewhat more beam than is at
present the case.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1895.
Improvements in the Design and Construction of Steam Vessels.
I, WILLIAM MUNRO of 3 Glen Street, Hebburn on Tyne in the County of
Durham, Shipwright, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
0 manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in the design and construction of steam

page_text: vessels and has inter alia for its object to ensure the propeller being constantly
immersed so as to prevent racing of the engines and the risk of damage by floating
wreckage to the propeller while the formation of the hull as hereinafter described
aid in giving greater control over the vessel in emergencies.
ma
I will fully describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which Figures 1 and 2 show side sectional and transverse sectional (latter
enlarged) elevations of a vessel designed for speed; Figures 3 and 4 show similar
views of an ordinary cargo vessel, Figures 5 and 6 being bow and stern views of
the same and in the following description like marks of reference designate like
parts.
Referring to the drawings it will be observed that I construct along the bottom
of the vessel a tunnel-shaped recess R. I prefer to commence the tunnel at a
little distance back from the bows as at 7 and to gradually taper it upwards as at 8
thus increasing its area until about amidships the sectional area of the tunnel is
sufficient to adequately receive the propeller or propellers 9. From about amidships
I prefer to keep the tunnel area practically constant as at 10 until finally the
tunnel gradually merges as shown into the stern posts at 11.
By this construction the engines are placed forward as at 12 to drive the
propeller or propellers situated in the tunnel about the centre of the vessel.
The tunnel thus more or less tends to form two ships placed side by side as
shown in the drawings for which purpose a double stern piece and rudders are
provided.
Such a tunnel constructed as described will tend to keep the ship's head to the
sea in the event of disablement as the vessel will always have a "water keel "
within the tunnel to guide and steady her movements the disposition and arrange-
ment of the tunnel and propelling machinery similarly tending to facilitate the
forward motion of the vessel through the water.
The tunnel can be built to take either one propeller (Figure 4) or two propellers
(Figure 2) and by the disposition of the tunnel and propelling device not only is
the length of propeller shafting materially diminished but the risk of accident to
the propellers by their contact with floating wreckage is prevented.
The boilers may conveniently be arranged as at B and the engines can be set so
as to provide a slanting propeller shaft as in Figure 3 or a level shaft as in
Figure 1.
In other respects generally the construction and arrangement will resemble
ordinary vessels.
In the event of air-cushioning arising from any cause within the tunnel air tubes
fitted with valves are provided in connection therewith to release any pressure
possibly arising from such a cause.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved design and construction consisting in the provision along the
bottom of a vessel of a tunnel commencing near the bows and gradually increasing
in area to amidships and thence extending to the stern the propeller or propellers
being placed within the tunnel the several parts being arranged disposed or adapted
to work substantially as and for the purposes berein set forth.
2. The general arrangement of vessel with a central submerged tunnel in which
the propelling machinery is adapted to work substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and illustrated.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1896.
A. CRA WHALL CHAPMAN,
3 St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.