AN UNDERSEA TORPEDO-ROCKET
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Giese, of 85, Rue Lafayette, Paris, in the Republic
of France, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN UNDERSEA TORPEDO-ROCKET."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Giese at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th December 1878.
WILLIAM GIESE, of 85, Ruc Lafayette, Paris, in the Republic of France, Gentle-
man. "AN UNDERSEA TORPEDO-ROCKET."
The submarine torpedo-rocket of my Invention is composed of a float of sheet iron
or other metal or material, shaped like a fish.
The fore part of this float or shell is closed by a water tight compartment, the
displacement of which compensates the weight of the rocket and of the torpedo.
The inner part encloses a copper tube closed at its fore end, but with the opposite or
stern end open.
Into this copper tube I introduce a cartridge of the same diameter
as the inner diameter of the tube and of the same length. The rear or stern end of
this cartridge is contracted and carries a fuse joined to the combustible matter or
composition, which, once alight, finding its resistanco in the water instead of the air,
drives the rocket forward at great speed.
This apparatus may be placed under or on the deck of a man of war and be
launched like a life boat from davits on an inclined plane.
The composition of the rocket is analogous to those now used for warlike purposos,
and its simple and cheap construction, with the possibility of recharging it, will
render its use very advantageous compared with that of automatic rockets provided
with complicated and delicate mechanisms.
My torpedo-rocket is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, Figure 1
being a vertical longitudinal section, Fig. 2 an elevation of same floating on tho
water, and Fig. 3 the cartridge or fuse and combustible of the rocket detached.
The fore part is armed with a cone A, into which are inserted or otherwise
secured firm sharp blades b, b, which serve to cut the meshes of any nets which tho
torpedo-rocket may meet with in its journey or flight.
The dimensions of the torpedo-rocket shown are:-Length 6 meters, height I
meter, breadth 0. 50 cents.; but I do not propose to limit myself to any dimensions.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Giese in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th June
1879.
WILLIAM GIESE, of 85, Rue Lafayette, Paris, in the Republic of France, Gentle-
man. "AN UNDERSEA TORPEDO-ROCKET."
The submarine torpedo rocket of my Invention is composed of a float of sheet
iron or other metal or material, shaped like a fish.
The fore part of this float or shell is closed by a water tight compartment, the
displacement of which compensates the weight of the rocket and of the torpedo.
The inner part encloses a copper tube closed at its fore end, but with the opposite
or stern end open. Into this copper tube I introduce a cartridge of the same
diameter as the inner diameter of the tube and of the same length. The rear or
stern end of this cartridge is contracted and carries a fuse joined to the combustible
matter or composition, which, once alight, finding its resistance in the water instead
of the air, drives the rocket forward at great speed.
This apparatus may be placed under or on the deck of a man of war and be
launched like a life boat from davits or an inclined plane.
The composition of the rocket is analogous to that of those now used for warlike
purposes, and its simple and cheap construction, with the possibility of recharging
it, will render its use very advantageous compared with that of automatic rockets
provided with complicated and delicate mechanisms.
My torpedo-rocket is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing,
Figure 1 being a vertical longitudinal section;
Figure 2, an elevation of same floating on the water; and
Figure 3, the cartridge or fuse and combustible of the rocket detached.
The fore part is armed with a cone A, into which are rivetted or otherwise secured
four sharp blades b, b, which serve to cut the meshes of any nets which the torpedo
rocket might meet with in its journey or flight.
The dimensions of the torpedo-rocket shown are:-Length 6 metres, height 1
metre, breadth 0m. 50 cent. ; but I do not propose to limit myself to any dimensions.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed,
I claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent,-
The use of an undersea or submarine torpedo-rocket, composed substantially as
herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Giese, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
WILLIAM GIESE. (L.S.)