IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Beeforth Newton, the younger, of the Town or
Borough of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of the same Town or Borough,
Ship Chandler, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES.”
Sealed the 9th November 1877, and dated the 17th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Beeforth Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1877.
GEORGE BEEFORTH NEWTON, the younger, of the Town or Borough of Kingston-
upon-Hull, in the County of the same Town or Borough, Ship Chandler. “Ix-
PROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES."
This Invention has for its obect improvements in torpedoes.
For the purpose of effectually closing the torpedo case after the explosive has
been placed within it I make the following arrangements :-I provide an internal
rim or flange in the neck of the case, and upon this I place an inverted cup of
metal of sufficient strength to sustain the pressure of the water at the depth to
which it is intended that the torpedo should be sunk. There is a hole at the centre
of the cup through which the fuse is passed. I apply over the cup a pitch-liko
cement, and over this I place in the neck of the case a bung or large cork, which I
cause to be thoroughly imbedded in the cement. Over the end of the neck I opply
a metal cap, like the lid of a canister; it is provided with lugs, one on either side,
which engage with spirals fixed on the exterior of the neck, so that when the cap
has been put on it can be secured by turning it partly round.
Both the bung and the cap are perforated for the passage of the fuse, which also
passes out through a tube or sleeve of vulcanized india-rubber, the lower end of which
is clipped to the top of the cap around the fuse hole. The outer end of this flexible
tube is bound tightly around the fuse.
In order to adjust conveniently the weight of the torpedo that it may sink
readily in water, I provide it with an outer case, and in the space between the two
cases I place sand or other material to give to the torpedo the weight desired. This

page_text: outer case also serves to protect the torpedo from injury, and to render the explosion
more effectual.
Some torpedo cases are made with two necks, one at each end, and the double
case is not always required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George Beeforth Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
November 1877.
.
GEORGE BEEFORTH NEWTON, the younger, of the Town or Borough of Kingston-
upon-Hull, in the County of the same Town or Borough, Ship Chandler.
PROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in torpedoes.
"IM-
For the purpose of effectually closing the torpedo case after the explosive has been
placed within it I make the following arrangements:-I provide an internal rim or
flange in the neck of the case, and upon this I place an inverted cup of metal of
sufficient strength to sustain the pressure of the water at the depth to which it is
intended that the torpedo should be sunk. There is a hole at the centre of the cup
through which the fuse is passed. I apply over the cup a pitch-like_cement, and
over this I place in the neck of the case a bung or large cork, which I cause to be
thoroughly embedded in the cement. Over the end of the neck I apply a metal
cap, like the lid of a canister; it is provided with lugs, ono on either side, which
engage with spirals fixed on the exterior of the neck, so that when the cap has been
put on it can be secured by turning it partly round.
Both the bung and the cap are perforated for the passage of the fuse, which also
passes out through a tube or sleeve of vulcanized india-rubber, the lower end of
which is clipped to the top of the cap around the fuse hole. The outer end of this
flexible tube is bound tightly around the fuse.
In order to adjust conveniently the weight of the torpedo, that it may sink
readily in water, I provide it with an outer case, and in the space between the two
cases I place sand or other material to give to the torpedo the weight desired. This
outer case also serves to protect the torpedo from injury, and to render the explosion
more effectual.
Some torpedo cases are made with two necks, one at each end, and the double
case is not always required.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
The Drawing represents a section of a torpedo constructed according to my
Invention.
a is the outer and a¹ the inner skin or case of the torpedo, which may be of
cylindrical form, or, for some purposes, a long flat square or slab-like form will be
more convenient; the space between the skins a and a¹ is filled with sand, in order
to render the torpedo so heavy that it will readily sink when placed in water, and
will remain where it is placed uninfluenced by currents of water. The outer case a

page_text: has lugs b, b, formed upon it, through which ropes are placed for lowering the
torpedo, and also for drawing it into the required position. c is a dome-shaped
piece of metal resting upon the stop c¹ in the mouth of the torpedo. After that the
central chamber d has been charged with the explosive material, the metal dome
piece c is dropped into its place and coated with pitch or cement. A cork c is then
inserted and pushed down until it rests on the cement, and a coating of cement is placed
over the cork, which in fact is completely embedded in the cement. The cap is then
put on and turned partly round, so as to cause the ends of the lugs f' with which
it is furnished to pass beneath spirals fixed upon the neck of the case a.
g is a
sleeve or tube of india-rubber fixed to the top of the cap f, and through it the fuse h
passes. The sleeve or tube is bound tightly around the fuse, and it serves to keep
it in its place and protect it from injury. The fuse is connected with the charge as
heretofore, being passed through the dome c, cork e, and cap ƒ before these are
placed as above described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details described, but I claim,―
First. The method substantially as described of closing the torpedo case after the
explosive has been placed within it.
Second. The construction of torpedoes substantially as described with double
skins or cases, the space between the skins or cases being filled with sand or such
like material to give to the torpedo the weight desired.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Beeforth Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CRORCE REEFORTH NEWTON TNR 1