A NEW MEANS OF PROPELLING SHIPS, YACHTS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, EDWARD HELE CLARK of Ilex House Star Cross in the County of Devon,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "A NEW MEANS
OF PROPELLING SHIPS, YACHTS AND OTHER VESSELS," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to provide a new means of propelling Ships,
Yachts and other Vessels, which means whilst serviceable at all times shall be
especially advantageous when the said Vessels are becalmed or from other causes
are unable to proceed on their voyage.
In this my Invention which I call the "Hydropult" I make use of a powerful
force pump, similar to those made by Messrs Merryweather and Sons or any other
Fire Engine makers. This pump has its supply from fore part of Vessel and
discharges aft and the Vessel is propelled by its action. The Suction being forward,
will when the force pump is at work, assist in drawing the Vessel ahead and the
discharge being aft will force it forward. The Suction pipes are laid on the
Vessel's Keelson and the Discharge pipes deliver a jet on each quarter on level of
Keelson or lower if possible so as to give a greater fulcrum for the jets to act
against.
There is a Watertight bulkhead fitted in the bow of Vessel, into which bulkhead
the Suction Strainer is fitted and holes are bored in the bow to admit sufficient
water to supply the pump This arrangement of supply prevents the Suction being
choked by Sea weed or other floating substances.
The mode of propelling Vessels set forth and described as aforesaid is simple and
efficient and may be fitted at small cost and will be found of great utility to Ships,
Yachts and other Vessels.

page_text: I, EDWARD HELE CLARK, of Ilex House, Starcross, in the county of Devon,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "A NEW MEANS
OF PROPELLING SHIPS, YACHTS, AND OTHER VESSELS," and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to
the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to say :-
This Invention provides a new method of propelling ships, yachts, and other
vessels; which method, whilst serviceable at all times, is especially advantageous
when the said ves-els are becalmed, or from other causes are unable to proceed
upon their voyage.
In this Invention, which I call the "Hydropult" I make use of a powerful force
pump which may be similar to those made by Messrs Merryweather & Sons, or any
other fire engine makers or a rotary pump, or other pump throwing a continuous
discharge may be used. This pump takes its supply from fore part of vessel, and
discharges aft, and the vessel is propelled by its action. The suction being forward
will, when the force pump is at work, assist in drawing the vessel ahead, and the
discharge, being aft, will force it forward.
And in order that this Invention may be fully understood reference is had to the
accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 Sheet 1 is a sectional elevation of a launch fitted with "Hydropult" in
accordance with this my invention. Figure.2, Sheet 2, is a plan of same with top
deck removed; and Figure 3 shews my invention applied to a small rowing boat.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the figures :-
A being the suction pipe, and B B the discharge pipes delivering a jet upon each
quarter. These discharge pipes B B are placed as low as possible in the vessel, so
as to obtain the greatest density of water for the jets to act against. A watertight
bulkhead C is fitted in the bow of vessel, and holes D are bored in the bow to
admit sufficient water to supply the pump E, which in Figures 1 and 2 is shewn
driven by small steam engine F, though any other motive power may be employed,
such as a gas or air engine, hand power &c.
To the bulkhead C I fit a suction strainer G, through which strainer G the
suction pipe A draws its supply. This arrangement of supply prevents the suction
being choked by seaweed, or other floating substances.
Stop cocks or Throttle valves H H Fig 3, Sheet 2, may be fitted in discharge
pipes BB for the purpose of steering the vessel. These cocks or valves H H may
be worked by a lever or otherwise as required. Upon one of these cocks or
valves H being closed, or partially closed, the propelling power is greater upon
one quarter of the vessel than the other, and the vessel's course is consequently
altered.
By this means of steering a rudder may be entirely dispensed with, as by
manipulating the said cocks or valves as required, any change of course desired may
be instantaneously obtained. To facilitate the stoppage of the vessel, and to give
same a reverse action when required, the pump E may be made double acting.
In the case of an ordinary force pump of the construction generally employed in
Fire Engines a.connection may be laid on from the discharge side of pump to the
Buction so that the water is forced back to the suction, and thus a resistance is
offered to the vessel's forward progress.
This my new means of propelling vessels is simple and efficient, and the
apparatus may be fitted at small cost, and will be found of great utility to ships,
yachts, and other vessels.

page_text: The advantages of this system of propulsion are as follows:-There is no
impediment to speed when under sail; no racing of the engines; and there is no
propeller to receive damage from running aground, or to be fouled by floating
obstructions.
This my invention is especially applicable to vessels of light draft, and the large
pumping power is always available for keeping down leaks.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my
Invention, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st The particular arrangement in ships, yachts, and other vessels, of suction
pipe A, pump E, and discharge pipes B B, for the purpose of propelling such ships,
yachts, and other vessels, by drawing water from the bows; and discharging same
from the quarters, substantially as bereinbefore set forth and described.
2nd The application of stop cocks or throttle valves H H to discharge pipes BB,
for the purpose of steering ships, yachts and other vessels fitted with this my
invention substantially as herein before set forth and described.
3rd The general construction and arrangement of the "hydropult," substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth and described.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.