Year: 1887

page_text: JOSEPH CAUDWELL Gentleman No. 13 Rue Dumont de Courset Boulogne Sur Mer
in the Republique of France Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This Raft is to be supported by three air-tight Hulls with two sea-ways between
them of twenty feet wide each and is intended to carry railway trains entire across
the Channel between England and France and vice versa and in conjunction with
Floating Jetties on each Coast for embarking and disembarking the said trains.
Dated in Boulogne-Sur-Mer this Twenty-second day of February 1887.

page_text: 1, JOSEPH CAUDWELL 13 Rue Dumont de Courset Boulogne-Sur-Mer in the
Kingdom of France Gentleman 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 :-
The object in my Invention is to construct a raft propelled by steam power suitable
for the carriage of railway trains and the accommodation of travellers across seas
from Continent to Continent by which the same carriages and trains may be retained
throughout by the passengers and long journies may be considerably shortened in
the distance and in the length of time occupied in travelling: it is also designed to
correct to a very considerable extent the rolling which is experienced upon ordinary
steamers and sailing vessels and in order that my Invention may be more fully
understood I accompany my Specification with drawings in which similar letters of
reference denote the same part or parts in construction.
Sheet one Figure one is a sectional drawing of the raft upon the line, . showing
the construction of a deck A upon three hulls B, though there may be three or more
hulls used if required, with a sea way of required dimension between each, the centre
Hull being of greater length than the outer ones. The Hulls being thus constructed
with a sea-way between, the raft so divides the waves in its passage through them,
that it is enabled to maintain its perpendicular and the rolling of the raft is similarly
relieved. These Hulls are built with air tight compartments C, excepting such space
as may be required for engine rooms, and are fitted with separate engines of any
required power. The two outer Hulls are constructed with paddle wheels at their
inner or sea-way sides, while the centre hull is fitted with a paddle wheel on either
side as shewn D). These wheels may be worked in unison or, on an emergency, those
of the outer hulls can be employed separately and will act as rudders by which the
raft can be turned on its own length. E are the funnels connected with the furnaces
of the engines and F the various deck constructions for passenger accommodation
and for the business requirements of the raft. G is the bridge over-running the
whole and H. figure 2 shows the plan of the breakwater and landing stage for
embarkation and debarkation. Sheet two Figure three is a plan of the raft shewing the
railway lines occupying its centre and converging fore and aft into single lines to
correspond with the lines K shewn in the plan view of the landing stage, Sheet one
Figure two of the drawings, for running the trains on and off the raft. The trains thus
being in the centre of the raft they occupy the position where its motion would be
least perceptable, at the same time their weight would assist in maintaining the
equilibrium of the raft. The outer sides of the deck of the raft may be fitted as
required with Cabinets, Restaurants, Hotels, Billiard Rooms, Fine weather
Promenades or other conveniences and with the requisite staff accommodation for
the working requirements of the rafts as shewn F on the drawings, and over which
is constructed the Bridge G. Sheet three Figure four is a side view of the raft
1

page_text: representing the constructions F on the outer side of the raft, the bridge G, and the
funnels E. The dotted circle D shows the position of the paddle wheels.
A Raft constructed according to my Invention would greatly facilitate travelling
and apart from the fatigue which would be enormously reduced, time and distance
would be equally saved to a great and considerable extent. My Invention would also
be invaluable not only for the general traffic but also for the transport of troops.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st. The construction of a Raft upon three or more Hulls with a sea-way between
each substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn on the
drawings.
2nd. The arrangement of the propelling and steering power substantially as herein-
before described and as shewn in the drawings.
3rd. The arrangements and combination of parts constituting my Invention for
an improved Steam Raft substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and shewn on the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of Contoho 1997
E. J. COLSTON FEAR,
Agent for the Applicant.