IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING AND MANEUVRING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Dickinson, of Hopetown, Darjeeling,
India, Tea Planter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING
AND MANEUVRING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND
MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSES."
Scaled the 27th April 1869, and dated the 31st October 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Dickinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 31st October 1868.
I, BENJAMIN DICKINSON, of Hopetown, Darjeeling, India, Tea
Planter, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING AND MANEUVRING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, AND
IN THE APPARATUS AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to the apparatus for propelling vessels by means
of water which is forced out below the water line at or near the bottom
of the vessel, in such a manner that a greater amount of useful effect
is obtained than by the means heretofore employed. For the purposes

page_text: of my Invention I employ trough plates or channels running longi
tudinally to prevent the lateral diffusion of the water as it issues from
the jet or discharge pipe at the bottom or sides of the vessel, such
apparatus being placed in every case below the water line, and forming
part of and being attached to the external skin or hull. Such trough
plates or channels may be either straight in their vertical depth, or
curved or angled so as to regulate more perfectly the direction of the
flow and discharge of water. In some cases also instead of being
parallel to one another the trough plates or channels are made to
angle outwards towards the stern of the vessel in order to admit of
a freer course and to reduce the friction. The openings for the emission
of the water may be placed either directly under the centre line of the
vessel or on either side of the keel. For the purpose of obtaining the
greatest effect from the body of propelling water I prefer to cause it to
finally issue at an angle downwards with the keel. In some cases also
I prefer to force the water out of a number of small openings in the
under side of the trough or channel openings, these being at an angle
with the trough or channel which is placed horizontally or in a line
with the keel. For the purpose of manoeuvring the vessel this horizontal
or longitudinal trough or channel, besides having a series of openings
for delivering the water towards the stern of the vessel, may be so
constructed that other openings (having contrary angles) may be
employed when required so as to force the water towards the bow of
the vessel, and thereby cause it to go astern. The trough or channel
may also have a series of holes at the sides, both fore and aft, by opening
which the vessel may be made to revolve in either direction as required.
I prefer to place the mouth of the suction pipe in or near the bow of
the vessel, so as to reduce as far as possible the resistance of the water
towards the progress of the vessel and aid in her propulsion or
manoeuvre. Thus instead of discharging the body of water intended to
be employed for propelling the ship or vessel through a single nozzlo
in the centre of the vessel longitudinally or through two nozzles,
discharge pipes, or openings placed either above or below the water line,
one on each side of the vessel, freely into or against the water in which
the vessel is floating, I confine the propelling jet of water from escaping
laterally, and by preference discharge it through a series of small
openings by which the water is divided into a number of small jets to
which a suitable direction may be given. The requisite velocity may

page_text: be imparted to the water employed for propelling the vessel by means
of a Gwynne pump, turbine, or any suitable apparatus propelled by,
steam power.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Dickinson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th April 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN,
DICKINSON, of Hopetown, Darjeeling, India, Tea Planter, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Dickinson, Her special licence
that I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my executors,
administrators, 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
PROPELLING AND MANEUVRING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS
AND MEANS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 Benjamin Dickinson, 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:-

page_text: This Invention relates to the apparatus for propelling vessels by means
of water which is forced out below the water line at or near the bottom
of the vessel in such a manner that a greater amount of useful effect
is obtained than by the means heretofore employed. For the purposes
of my Invention I employ trough plates or channels running longi-
tudinally to prevent the lateral diffusion of the water as it issues from
the jet or discharge pipe at the bottom or sides of the vessel, such
apparatus being placed in every case below the water line and forming
part of and being attached to the external skin or hull. Such trough
plates or channels may be either straight in their vertical depth or
curved or angled so as to regulate more perfectly the direction of the
flow and discharge of water. In some cases also, instead of being
parallel to one another, the trough plates or channels are made to angle
outwards towards the stern of the vessel in order to admit of a frcer
course and to reduce the friction. The openings for the emission of the
water may be placed either directly under the centre line of the vessel
or on either side of the keel. For the purpose of obtaining the greatest
effect from the body of propelling water, I prefer to cause it to finally
issue at an angle downwards with the keel. In some cases also I prefer
to force the water out of a number of small openings in the under side of
the discharge pipe running along the top of the trough or channel, these
openings being at an angle with the trough or channel which is placed
horizontally or in a line with the keel. For the purpose of manoeuvring
the vessel this horizontal or longitudinal discharge pipe above the
trough or channel, besides having a series of openings for delivering the
water towards the stern of the vessel, may be so constructed that other
openings (having contrary angles) may be employed when required so
as to force the water towards the bow of the vessel, and thereby cause
it to go astern. The discharge pipe and the trough or channel may also
have a series of holes at the sides both fore and aft, by opening which
the vessel may be made to turn or revolve in either direction as required.
I prefer to place the mouth of the suction pipe in or near the bow of
the vessel, so as to reduce as far as possible the resistance of the
water towards the progress of the vessel and aid in her propulsion or
manoeuvring. This instead of discharging the body of water intended
to be employed for propelling the ship or vessel through a single nozzle
in the centre of the vessel longitudinally or through two nozzles,
discharge pipes, or openings placed either above or below the water line,
onc on each side of the vessel, freely into or against the water in which

page_text: the vessel is floating, I confine the propelling jet of water from
escaping laterally, and by preference discharge it through a series of
small openings, by which the water is divided into a number of small
jets to which a suitable direction may be given. The requisite velocity
may be imparted to the water employed for propelling the vessel by
means of a Gwynne pump, turbine, or any suitable apparatus propelled
by steam power.
I have ascertained experimentally that where a jet of water issues
uncontrolled or unguided into the surrounding water, it meets with
comparatively little resistance and its power becomes dissipated laterally
or otherwise; therefore, with a view to increase the resistance to the
issuing jet and give it direction, I employ guide plates one on either
side of the keel line and running parallel to or nearly parallel with it.
These plates may be secured to the keel or be bolted to the floor of the
vessel, and the space between the keel and the guide plates on either
side thereof must be regulated by the size of the vessel, the depth of
keel, and the volume and power of the water ejected. The longitudinal
plates may either be of plain, rectangular, curved, bevelled, or other
suitable shape or form transversely for the purpose of guiding the out-
flow or discharge of the water, and preventing its lateral escape in every
case, for the purpose of enabling the jets of discharged water to con-
tinue in effective action in the desired direction for a longer time. These
guiding plates and the channels formed thereby may be applied in
vessels where the total quantity of water set in motion and discharged
for the purpose of propelling is made to pass from or is ejected from
one nozzle or opening instead of from several jets, nozzle, or pipe, as
herein described as forming one of the main features of the present
Invention.
Where the propelling stream of water is discharged from the pump
or pumps and ejected in a single stream at or near to the stern in a line
with the keel, or is divided into two streams, one of which is discharged
on each side of the keel, the guide plates or channels, as herein-before
described, must be applied thereto in the manner and for the purpose
therein set forth.. In the latter case the turning and manœuvring of the
vessel may be effected by discharging the water on the one side of the
keel astern, and on the other side ahead whilst the rudder is brought in
aid. In every case the several jet pipes or nozzles through which the
propelling jets of water are discharged are placed at an angle vertically

page_text: downward from the horizontal line of the keel instead of in a line with
a parallel to the keel, although the jets are placed (horizontally)
parallel with the keel line, or side by side therewith in any convenient
manner, and either in one or in several rows or longitudinal lines at
such distances apart as the size of the vessel and other circumstances
may require.
Having thus generally described the nature of my said Invention, and
some of the modes or manners in which I prefer to apply it in practice,
I will now proceed to describe the several Figures in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings which I have therein shown for the purpose of
illustrating certain applications of my said Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a lower deck plan
of an iron passenger and cargo steamer of the usual type fitted with
one of the modes or methods of propulsion which I adopt, and which in
order to shew more distinctly in Figure 2 part of the deck is shewn
broken away. This consists in a centrifugal pump or turbine A driven
by a pair of engines in the usual manner, and having its suction pipe
B fitted to the bottom of the vessel, through which a hole is made to
correspond with the bore of the pipe, or if preferred this suction pipe
may be increased in size towards the bottom or made bell-mouthed, and
the hole in the bottom of the vessel increased accordingly. The
centrifugal pump or turbine is fitted with two delivery pipes, one of
which (C) is placed in the usual position and runs in the direction of
the stern of the vessel, while the other delivery pipe D is fitted to the
centrifugal pump about a quarter of the circumference in advance or in
such a position that this delivery pipe (D) may run in the direction
of the bow of the vessel. These two delivery pipes C and D are fitted
with the sluice valves c and d respectively, by means of which the
water be forced through either of these pipes C or D at pleasure. By
opening the sluice valve c and closing the sluice valve d the water is
forced through the delivery pipe C. Each of these delivery pipes has
a series of small jet pipes e, e, f, f, &c. fitted to their under sides and
ends in such a manner that the water in these delivery pipes will be
forced out a direction parallel to the keel in the vertical plane, but at
a slight angle downwards from the horizontal plane of the keel, as shewn
in Figure 1. Now supposing the engines arc at work and the sluice
valve d is closed and the sluice valve c is opened, the water will be

page_text: forced through the delivery pipe C and out at the small jets e, e, &c.,
and consequently the vessel will be forced or propelled ahead; again, if
the sluice valve c is closed and the sluice valve d opened the water will
be forced through the delivery pipe D and out at the jets f, f, &c.,
and consequently the vessel will be forced or propelled astern. In
order to prevent the power of the jet of water from being wasted or
expended in any other horizontal direction than parallel to the line of
keel, channel-plates or guides E, E, are fitted on both sides of the
delivery pipes to the under part of the vessel, and of such a depth as
may be necessary to confine the water jets laterally and obtain the whole
effect of the force of the water in the required direction.
In Figure 3 is shewn a longitudinal elevation, and in Figures 4 and 5
stern and bow elevations respectively of another modification of my.
Invention. In this case the centrifugal pump A is fitted with the
suction pipe B running forwards towards the bow of the vessel and with
only one delivery pipe C, which runs into a rectangular pipe D fitted
to the bottom of the vessel above the channel plates or guides E. In
this rectangular pipe D two valves are placed c, d, the one c placed aft of
the junction of the two pipes C and D, and the other d placed forward
of that junction. The rectangular pipe D is fitted with nozzles or.
jets e, e, &c., in a similar manner to that already described in Figures
1 and 2 in that portion aft of the valve c, and the end forward of the
valve d is shown in Fig. 5 pierced with two rows of holes. The channel
plates or guides E, E, are fitted to each side of the rectangular pipe D,
and carried a sufficient distance aft to confine or guide the water jets
in the required direction, but as a vessel is seldom required to go astern
at full speed these channel plates have not in this instance been carried
forward beyond the rectangular pipe."
Figures 6, 7, and 8 are a longitudinal elevation, plan, and cross section
respectively of another modification of my Invention. In this case the
centrifugal pump or turbine A has its suction pipe B fitted to the
bottom of the vessel in a somewhat similar manner to that described
in Figures 1 and 2. The delivery of the pump is fitted with a two-way
cock from which the two delivery pipes C and D branch, the one (C)
running aft and the other (D) forward. In this case the vessel is so
formed that there is a channel along the line of keel of sufficient depth
(or height) to receive the flattened or rectangular portion of the delivery

page_text: pipe C and also act as a guide for the water issuing from the jets. Tho
advantage of this modification is that the vessel may "take the ground'
without injury to the channel plates, jets, or delivery pipe. In some
cases, instead of making the channel or guide for the water the same
width throughout its entire length, it is gradually widened out toward
the stern, as shewn by the dotted lines E', E', in the plan Figure 7,
by which means the friction of the water is reduced. The forward
pipe D runs out at the bow and may either be fitted with small holes
at the end or be left open.
Figures 9 and 10 shew two modifications on an enlarged scale of the
guide or channel plates E fitted to the delivery pipe. In Figure 9
these plates E are shewn curved inwards to confine the water jets more
strictly in line with the keel; and in Figure 10 these channel plates E
are shewn curved outwards to permit greater latitude in the water jets
as the peculiar conditions of speed draught of water, &c. of the vessel
may require. Instead of being curved inwards or outwards, as shewn in
Figures 9 and 10, these channel plates E may be straight, but inclined
inwards or outwards, as the case may be.
I am well aware that jets of water have heretofore been employed for
propelling vessels, and moreover that such jets have been delivered
either in a single stream, centrally, or in two streams, one on either side
of the keel, in each case below the load water line of the ship, and
generally along the line of the ship's bottom or close to the keel, or in
some cases by means of nozzle pipes projecting from each side of the
ship above the water line, discharging or projecting the water jet in air
against the surface of the water on or in which the ship is supported;
in each of such cases the water is delivered by the pumps through the
external openings in the centre line of the ship, or on each side of the
ship in a body or in a single stream or jet of considerable diameter, or
but slightly decreased in the area of its cross section from that of the
pump or discharge pipe. When the discharge of the propelling stream
has heretofore taken place below the water line the discharge has been
in a line (vertically) parallel with the keel, but in the instances where
external nozzle pipes or jets have been employed discharging the water
in air down on to and against the water by which the vessel is supported,
such nozzle pipes have an inclination or angle given to them, and the
water is delivered at an angle or inclination with the horizon; but in neither

page_text: case is the lateral dissipation of the propelling effect of the water jet
prevented as herein described, nor excepting where the propelling jet
of water is projected from the side of the vessel near to the water line
or line of flotation in a single strean has the water been projected or
discharged at an angle downward.
I therefore wish it to be understood. that whilst I am aware generally
of what has heretofore been published and practised in connexion with
the use or employment of water jets for propelling ships and other
vessels, and I do not intend hereby to claim as part of my Invention the
delivering of the whole body in water set in motion by the action of the
pumps or apparatus employed for that purpose, or of one-half thereof,
through a bent or angularly fitted tube or pipe, or through a bent or
angularly placed nozzle or discharge, fitted externally to the upper sides
of a ship (herein-before referred to as being old), except in connexion
with the use of plates or channels, herein-before described, for the
purpose and in the manner set forth; but what I do claim is,-
First. The use or employment of guiding and confining plates or
channels, as herein described, for the purpose of limiting the lateral dis-
charge and the dissipation of the powers of jets or streams of water
used or employed for propelling ships or vessels, as herein set forth.
Secondly. The use or employment in ships or other vessels of a series
of discharge nozzles or jet pipes, so arranged, disposed, fitted, or fixed, as
herein set forth, in or into the main discharge pipe or trunk within
which the main body of the water in motion is received under pressure
from the pump or apparatus, as herein described.
Thirdly. Fitting hydraulic propeller ships by so constructing the
discharge or delivery pipe of the pump or water-circulating apparatus
with a series of nozzles or pipes at such an angle or inclination as to
project the water in a series of jets or streams downwards, instead of
horizontally in a single stream from the end of a discharge pipe or from
a single jet at the bottom of the vessel or unimpededly from the ends of
two discharge pipes one on each side of the keel.
Fourthly. Applying to or in connexion with the water discharge or
delivery pipe, or to the opening or openings in, at, or near to the keel or
bottom of the ship, as herein described, a series of jet pipes or nozzles at
an angle or projecting downwards, for the purpose herein set forth, and
whether such angularly disposed or fitted nozzles or jet pipes be so used
:

page_text: alone or in conjunction with side plates, channels, or trough-like con-
duits, as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifthly. The improvements in propelling and manoeuvring ships and
other vessels and in the apparatus and means employed for such purposes,
as herein described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, have set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
WILLIAM SMITH, C. E.,
19, Salisbury St.,
Strand.
BENJAMIN DICKINSON. (L.S.)