Improvements in Ships, and Rafts for the same.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1894-Accepted: 28th Apr., 1894:
TRUVIDIUNAL DIECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ships, and Rafts for the same.
I, RICHARD ROPER, of Palace Chambers, 9 Bridge Street, Westminster, in
the County of Middlesex, Marine Contractor and Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to Improvements in Ships and Rafts for the same and is
more particularly applicable to river steamers.
This invention consists in constructing the deck of a vessel and the roof of its
cabins in such a manner that they form rafts which remain upon the surface of the
water when the vessel has sunk.
According to this invention I construct the deck of the vessel and the roof of its
cabins after the manner of a raft and support them in position upon the ship in
such a manner that any water falling upon their surface is thrown off and does not
find its way into the interior of the vessel. Though in most cases their own weight
is sufficient to maintain these parts in position even in a heavy sea they may be
secured in position by means of suitable clamps which may be released in case of
accident so as to liberate the rafts.
Dated this outh dement A1002
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ships, and Rafts for the same.
I, RICHARD ROPER, of Palace Chambers, 9 Bridge Street, Westminster, in
the County of Middlesex, Marine Contractor and Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what 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 Ships and Rafts for the same and is
more particularly applicable to river steamers.
This invention consists in constructing the deck of a vessel and the roof of its
cabins in such a manner that they form rafts which remain upon the surface of the
water when the vessel has sunk.
According to this invention I construct the deck of the vessel and the roof of
its cabins after the manner of a raft and support them in position upon the ship in
such a manner that any water falling upon their surface is thrown off and does not
find its way into the interior of the vessel.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2 a plan of a ship fitted with
rafts according to my invention, and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 enlarged details of the
rafts.
The deck a and the roofs 6 of the ship c and the captains bridge d are con-
structed in the form of rafts preferably with a light continuous upper portion or
platform e, Figs. 3, 4 and 5, having secured around it a railf and to the under
side thereof air tight tubes or compartments g of metal or other suitable material
so that any water falling upon their surface is thrown off and does not find its way

page_text: into the interior of the vessel. Though in most cases their own weight is sufficient
to maintain these parts in position even in a heavy sea they may be secured in
position by means of suitable clamps which may be released in case of accident so
as to liberate the rafts, and allow them to float upon the surface of the water after
the ship has sunk as shown in Fig. 1.
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. Ships having the decks and roofs of the cabins and captains bridge con-
structed in the form of rafts, substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. Rafts constructed with an upper continuous surface with air tight compart-
ments secured to or formed on the underside thereof, substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th dev of Febrne 1001
CASTLE SMITH,
66
* Invention
"
Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.