IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIFEBOATS, AND OF OARS FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER BOATS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIFEBOATS, AND OF OARS
FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER BOATS." A communication from abroad by
Albert Holmes, of Petaluma, California, United States of America. Merchant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th October 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
LIFEBOATS, AND OF OARS FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER BOATS." A commu-
nication from abroad by Albert Holmes, of Petaluma, California, United States
of America, Merchant.
This Invention relates partly to improvements in life-boats, and the object of
the said Invention is to combine durability, safety, strength, and lightness in the
highest degree. According to the said Invention I employ alternate layers of
air-tight metal tubes, arranged partly in sections, and interposed between layers
of cork in which the said tubes are partly embedded, and I also employ removable
air-tight seats or thwarts which in themselves form efficient life-preservers.
The said Invention also relates to the peculiar construction of oars for propelling
boats through the water.
In the accompanying Drawing-
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved life-boat, and
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the said life-boat.
Figure 4 is a plan or top view of my improved oar, and
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
I construct the shell or body A of my improved life-boat much in the usual
way, and at the top of the gunwale I place air-tight cases or cylinders a, a, in

page_text: sections, as shewn. These cases or cylinders are attached to the gunwale by straps
and bolts, spaces being left between the sections or cases for the rowlocks b, which
are embedded in cork and extend downward into the frame or shell.
Along the inner and outer sides of the gunwale I place pieces or layers c, c, of
cork; these pieces are laid end to end slightly below the greatest diameter of the
air-tight cases a, and are secured by lashings or bolts to the shell or frame, so that
the air-tight cases will be nearly ombedded on both sides from stem to stern
between the two layers of cork, with interposed pieces a¹ of cork at the corners
of the tube athwart the stern, and an inside packing a² of cork at the inner side
of the said stern case, as shewn.
Below the upper layer of cork I place tubular air-tight cases B, B, which are
continuous, and extend from stem to stern upon both the inner and outer sides
of the frame or shell.
The angles at the meeting ends of these cases or tubes, both at the stem and
stern, are packed with cork, as shewn at d, d, and immediately at the rear of the
stern corner packings d upon both sides of the helm, and so as to permit sufficient
play thereof, are attached the cork casings e.
Immediately below the continuous line of air-tight tubes I attach by means of
bolts or otherwise a casing or cork fender C, which extends from stem to stern of
the boat upon both of the outer sides thereof
By this means great buoyancy is imparted to the vessel, which together with
the air-tight cases (which are in a great measure protected from injury) will render
the upsetting of the boat impossible. Both of the lines of cork fender are held
by iron straps in their proper place. The thwarts D of my improved boat I
construct of air-tight cases, and they are disposed with the flat faces upward to
form seats, and are removable so as to be employed as life preservers in case of
need.
I will now proceed to describe my improved oar. The wooden part of the said
oar is constructed much in the usual way, with the exception that I form the
blade somewhat thinner and the handle or stock lighter than that of the ordinary
oar of the same length. The sides of the loom of the oar are somewhat flattened
to receive the thin strip E of metal which I apply to both sides of the oar, com-
mencing at the upper end of the stock or loom and extending down over the
end of the blade and passing up to the upper end of the loom upon the opposite
side.
To the lower end of the blade I attach by rivets or otherwise a thin metal
cap F, which covers the metal strip E and prevents it from being moved or the
wooden blade injured by the action of the sea or by contact with rocks. The
strip E is held to the oar by fine wire passing around the oar, as shewn at f, g, h.
Should it be deemed necessary a strip G of india-rubber may be placed over
the thin strip of metal, and extend around the end of the blade, over the cap, and
up to the lower end of the loom, the said strip of india rubber being sustained
by the wire-coils, as shewn in Figure 4.
The metal should all be non-corrosive, or of such a nature as not to be affected
by the action of sea water.
By this means oars can be constructed light and the blades made thin and strong,
and so as to present as little resistance as possible to the water in entering and
leaving the same and to the air; the said cars moreover will be less liable to be
broken and fractured by the action of the waves or by coming in contact with
hard substances.
Having thus fully described the said. Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a life-boat the combination of the air-tight metal tubes or cases a, B,
secured upon the inner and the outer sides of the boat-frame in a horizontal
position, and alternating with horizontal layers or fenders c, C, of cork, all
constructed and arranged substantially in the manner above set forth.*

page_text: Second. In a life-boat the short sections of air-tight tubes or cases disposed
along the gunwale of the boat between a packing or fender of cork, constructed
and arranged substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Third. In the construction of oars the metallic strips or stay-plates extending
from the upper end of the loom to the lower end of the blade upon both sides of
the oar and the metallic tip or cap applied to the end of the said blade, substantially
in the manner and for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. KOB. LAKE. (LS)