CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN NAVIGABLE VESSELS AND PROPELLERS
Year: 1852

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Perkes at the Office-
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th October 1852.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
-I, SAMUEL PERKES, Civil Engineer, 1, Walbrook, City, London, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN NAVIGABLE VESSELS AND PROPELLERS" to be as follows:-
I first propose to adopt a peculiar shape. or form for the hull of boats
or vessels, in order to give them greater buoyancy, lighter draft, and
greater area and capacity if required, and demanding less power to
propel them according to their size than.by any other means or shapes
now in use; hence a greater amount of speed may be with certainty
calculated upon.
The first plan I propose more particularly relates to the shape of
the lower part of the vessel; and, taking nature for, my guide, I would
adopt the shape much resembling the submerged part of the body
of a swan whilst sitting upon the water, and the longitudinal section

page_text: And which shape will admit of very great area without great draft of
water, which need not in any case exceed three feet to four feet six
inches, according to the size of vessel, and the greater the capacity, the
more steady will their sailing qualities prove; and the water under-
neath the stern will form a perfect incline, with a buoyant tendency in
every direction, and will doubtless resist to a certain extent, the suction
of water which vessels as at present constructed invariably draw with
them, and which increases with the square of the velocity at which
they are propelled, owing to the unnatural, wedge shape in which vessels
are at present constructed. The above sketches will shew that the shape
of bottoms I.propose are of a very flat nature, with all the parts grace-
fully and naturally rounded off. I proposó to fix the paddle wheels, either
one or more, towards the stern, in about a similar position which nature
has assigned for the feet of the swan; or across the breast of the hull.
or in the centre, so as to give tlic propelling power where the greatest
depth of draft exists; but in any case to chamber out the hull, so far
as may be practicable, to allow suflicient space for a clear water way for
the wheels to work in, so that they may not impede the progress or
senting of the vessel.
The next plan T propose is. to construct one or more pontoons or

page_text: other hollow vessels, either longitudinally or transversely, and construct
a platform thereon for the hottom of vessel. and when applied 'longitu-
dinally, I propose to place the paddle wheel or wheels between them.
The decks I first propose to construct of two or more thicknesses of
timbers, with their fibros laid in opposite directions, either at angles
or right angles, as required, and well hedded together with pitch,
asphaltum, nakunı, marine glue, white or red lead, or other plastic
material (to assist in making the saine water-tight and buoyant), and
otherwise properly secured.
The aforegoing description of vessels I propose to construct either
of iron or wood, or other suitable material, and likewise the pontoons
or hollow vessels, which which I also propose to build of plain iron, or
of corrugated iron in certain cases, and of correspondingly similar shape
as described for submerged shape of whole vessel when so constructed,
and the whole of which I also construct of water-tight compartments
or otherwise.
-
Also, I next propose to construct timber vessels and chief masts
upon, and apply thereto, similar principles as invented by me and
claimed under Protection of Inventions Act, 1851, for my pro-
visionally registered mode of constructing beams for bridges, buildings,
an entire vessel, both hull,
keels, masts, &c., as by this means
decks, beams, diagonal braces, &c. &c., can be constructed from
stem to stern as of one entire and solid mass, and which will give
greater strength than any other known principle, as the whole body
is composed of laminated thicknesses set edgeways, and the fibres
crossed at every possible angle and direction. This mode is par-
ticularly valuable for vessels of war and war steamers of any shape or
form whatever, as greater strength can be obtained than the solid
timber itself.
The next arrangement I propose is, for the application of certain
kinds of sails, which I would compose of metals or wood or other
suitable material, on the principle of jelousies or Venetian shade blinds,
and construct them in suitable and strong frames or otherwise. and in
certain cases cause the whole to revolve around the main or other
mnasts on a bed plate of iron or other material, and to be worked by

page_text: hand wheels or cogs or otherwise, as required, and efficiently stayed
thereto. These descriptions of sails can be raised or lowered, or set to
any angle or point of the compass, at pleasure, with greater speed and
case than ordinary sails can be operated upon.
I also apply windmill sails, in certain cases and of certain descrip-
tions, as an auxilliary power for driving propelling wheels, &c. in certain
situations.
:
I also propose to adopt throughout the afore-mentioned kind of
vessels diagonal braces between the decks and in the hold, both longi-
tudinally, horizontally, and transversely, as may be required, and
construct, the same either of solid timbers or laminated thicknesses; as
before described, in order that they may be interwoven as it were into
the solid mass. These diagonal braces will not only add solidity to
the vessel, but will be of infinite value in preventing the cargo from
rolling in general..
I also propose to enamel or vitrify iron or copper or other material,
and use the same, or plain copper sheathing metal only, for external
sheathing, and bed the entire in gutta-perchia, or pitch, or other suitable
matter, whilst in a plastic state.
The next improvement I propose is, in the construction of the paddle
wheel or wheels which I employ for propelling where mechanical
power
is used. I construct them of one or more fixed or immoveable arms or
blades, either curved or concentrically radial, which the annexed sketches
will somewhat represent; viz.-
Each of which will act upon truly natural principies, are propeliers.in
reality, and not mere water scoops, which absorb nearly half the power
ers, m
reality, and not mere water scoops, which absorb nearly half the power
of the engines in fifting & scooping the back water. I propose also to
indent the blades in certain cases, as may be required.

page_text: I do not confine myself to use the entire of the aforegoing plans upon
one & the same vessel, but claim for each of their respective parts,
and their applications also to other vessels and useful purposes, where
they are or may be found applicable.
I also propose to use the smoke from steam vessels, and convert the
same into gas, and light up vessels with the same in certain cases where
required, or use other materials for generating and using gas on board
ships or sailing vessels for lighting and cooking and other useful pur-
poses, instead of ordinary fires & candles. Also I employ warm water
or steam pipes for the purpose of warming the apartments, &c., instead
of fires. Also I claim the manufacture & application of gas on board
sailing vessels, and the use of the same thereon.
1 also propose to construct certain vessels, as mentioned on the
laminated principle, in water-tight compartiments, which such mode of
constructing will admit of, altho' in timber; also to use iron for such
water-tight bulk heads if prefered.
I also propose to construct an interior shell entirely of iron, if re-
quired, which will be found very valuable for vessels of war or otherwise
where enormous strength and safety are required; but if vessels are
constructed on my edged laminated principle throughout, which I claimı,
they will afford greater resistance to coalitions or shots than any other
known principle, as at least about 80 per cent. of the external surface
is endways of the wood, and affords also the opportunity of using up
small timbers as well as large, whereby an immense saving will be
effected, as it is equally valuable for constructing vessels on this prin-
ciple. I also claim for the application of gutta-percha or vulcanised
india-rubber, or both combined, for a water-tight bedding and caulking
for timbers, &c. on board, and in the construction of the aforegoing &
ordinary vessels.