CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, SHIPS, OR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN THE MEANS OF OBVIATING OR DIMINISHING THE DANGERS ATTENDING ACCIDENTS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Witthoff, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, SHIPS, OR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN THE
MEANS OF OBVIATING OR DIMINISHING THE DANGERS ATTENDING ACCIDENTS TO
Scaled the 8th May 1855, and dated the 10th November 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Witthoff at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th November 1854.
I, HENRY WITTHOFF, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, SHIPS, OR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN THE MEANS
OF OBVIATING OR DIMINISHING THE DANGERS ATTENDING ACCIDENTS TO THE SAME,"
to be as follows:-
The said Invention consists in the following several improvements :-
First, making the bulk-heads or partitions which divide the water-tight
compartments of vessels double, that is to say, composed of two distinct
partitions, enclosing an intervening space.

page_text: Second, increasing the resisting power of such double bulk-heads by stays,
bracing or binding them together at various points.
Third, filling the interstices or intervals between the sides or partitions
composing such double bulk-heads with a substance calculated to impede or
prevent the transition of heat or fire, and also to increase the power of the
bulk-heads to sustain the pressure of water.
Fourth, the application of pipes or other means of communication, by which
in case of conflagration water can be introduced into the interstitial spaces in
such double bulk-heads from other parts of the ship.
Fifth, the application to the bottom, sides, or outer shell of the vessel of a
similar method of construction, by double plates stayed together with an
interposed material to displace water, which interposed material may either
be light, to increase the buoyancy of the vessel, or heavy, to serve as ballast,
according to the situation which it is to occupy, and other circumstances.
Sixth, the use of cork as a material for filling any of the interstitial spaces
herein-before mentioned; and also in the use and application of any of the
aforesaid improvements separately, or of any two or more of them in combination.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Witthoff in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th May 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
WITTHOFF, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Henry Witthoff, Her special license that I, the said Henry
Witthoff, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Henry Witthoff, my executors, administrators, or 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 of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
:MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOATS, SHIPS, OR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN THE
MEANS OF OBVIATING OR DIMINISHING, THE DANGERS ATTENDING ACCIDENTS TO THE

page_text: SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry Witthoff,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Henry Witthoff, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say):-
The objects of my Invention are, the strengthening of the fabrics of sea-
going vessels, and the diminution of danger to them in cases of collision or
conflagration. By collision, I mean either that which takes place between
two vessels, or that between'a vessel and some stationary obstacle, such as a
rock. My Invention comprises several improvements in the build or con-
struction of the hull of the ship or vessel having reférence to these objects.
.
:
Firstly, I construct the shell or hull of the vessel with an internal water-
tight casing or lining of metal plates, enclosing cellular spaces between itself.
and the bottom and sides of the vessel, such casing or lining being 'stayed;
supported, and braced at proper intervals by strong metal bolts or stays
attaching it to the shell. The interstices or cellular spaces left between the
said lining and outer shell or body of the vessel,. I fill with some material
calculated to exclude water. The substance which I prefer for this purpose
is powdered cork, which has the. two-fold recommendation of being repellent
of water and buoyant. Instead thereof, the interstitial. space between the
bottom of the vessel, and the part of the casing or lining co-extensive with it,
may be filled with, some, heavy, material, calculated to serve as. ballast, whilst
the spaces enclosed by the lining and the sides of the vessel may be supplied
with some substance of a light and buoyant character, .cork being what I.
most recommend for. that purpose, as before stated. The purpose of this
casing or lining is to exclude the water, and thus preserve the vessel from
foundering, in case of its outer shell or hull being fractured by collision or
other violence. I divide the hull of the vessel into several water-tight.com-
partments; but. this, being a well-known and long practised arrangement, forms
no part of my Invention. "
My improvements relate more especially to the construction or formation of
the bulk-heads or partitions separating the compartments; which I make double,
that is to say, each bulk-head or partition is composed of two distinct parti-
tions or bulk-heads, enclosing between them an interstitial space. I strengthen

page_text: the whole bulk-head by bracing or binding together its component sides by
transverse stays, inserted at frequent intervals, so as to impart to the whole a
greater resisting power as well against the pressure of fluids as against any
sudden violence tending to fracture or distort the frame-work or hull of the
vessel. I make these bulk-heads double, not only as a means of augmenting
the general strength of the structure of the vessel, but also as a means of
précaution against the spread of fire originating in the hold, the most perilous
condition under which that calamity can occur at sca. I avail myself of these
double bulk-heads or partitions as a preventative to the extension of conflagra-
tion in two ways, both of which are available for the purpose singly or in
combination.
Firstly, I fill the cavity or interstitial space enclosed between the sides of
each bulk-head or partition with some of the fire-resisting compositions, well
known and commonly used for the purpose of rendering safes, deed boxes,
closet doors, &c. impermeable to fire. By this means I convert each bulk-
head into a fire-proof wall.
Secondly, I provide means of introducing water into the interstitial cavitics
of the bulk-heads by conducting pipes and pumps, applying such pipes and
pumps in the manner suggested by circumstances as most suitable and efficient.
In steam vessels, for instance, the pump or pumps may be connected with and
worked by the engines. In sailing vessels they would have to be worked by
the manual efforts of the crew. The conduit pipes may either be flexible hose,
removable when not in use, or they may be permanent pipes or tubes extend-
ing beneath the decks. In cases, however, where permanent pipes are laid,
and the pumps worked by steam engines, I should recommend a removeable
pipe to be kept in reserve, and a hand pump, to be available in case of emer-
gency, so that in case of fire occuring either when steam is not up, or in case
of any accidental obstruction in the permanent pipes, means may still be at
hand to check the spread of the conflagration.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and stated the manner
of carrying it into effect, I hereby further declare that the following several
improvements are those which I claim as new, and constituting my Invention,
namely,―
Firstly, making the bulk-heads or partitions which divide the water-tight
compartments of vessels double, that is to say, each composed of two distinct
partitions or including sides enclosing an intervening space.
Secondly, increasing the resisting power of such bulk-heads by stays, bracing
or binding them together at various points.
Thirdly, filling the interstitial cavities between the external walls or sides

page_text: of such double bulk-heads with a substance calculated to obstruct or prevent
the transition of heat or fire, and also to increase the power of the bulk-head
to sustain the pressure of water.
Fourthly, the application and use of pipes and pumps for the purpose of
introducing water into the interstitial cavities of such bulk-heads.
Fifthly, the application of a lining or casing to the outer shell of the vessel,
enclosing an interposed material repellent of water, or in some cases a heavy
material to serve as ballast.
Sixthly, the use of cork as a material for filling any of the interstitial spaces
or cavities before mentioned.
And, seventhly, the use and application of any of the aforesaid several
improvements separately, or of any two or more thereof in combination.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Witthoff, have hercunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
HENRY WITTHOFF. (L.S.)