CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHODS ALREADY KNOWN AND PRACTICED OF RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS OR OTHER MATTERS, AND IN THE MA- CHINERY USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Year: 1812

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BAPTIST SERNY, of King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex, Doctor
of Medicine, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fifth day of September,
in the fifty-third year of His reign, give and grant unto me, the said John
Baptist Serny, my exors, admors, and assigns, His especial licence that I,
the said John Baptist Serny, my exors, adñors, and assigns, during the term
of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHODS ALREADY KNOWN AND
PRACTICED OF RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS OR OTHER MATTERS, AND IN THE MA-
CHINERY USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is
contained a proviso obliging me, the said John Baptist Serny, by an instru-
ment in writing under. my hand and seal, to cause a particular description of
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Baptist Serny, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,

page_text: and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in manner following, that is to say:-—
In the Drawings hereunto annexed are represented certain machinery and
the parts thereof, together with the connections and local positions thereof,
as applied for carrying my said Invention into effect and practice, and I have
placed or disposed the said Drawings in compartments or spaces which I have
denominated Plates, and have distinguished the same by numbers respectively,
Plates I., II, and III. Certain Drawings of machinery or apparatus distinctly
and seperately shewn for the most part, and the other Plates, represent the
same apparatus in the use and application thereof for the most part.
Plate I., Fig. 1, represents a piece of framework to be floated on the surface
of the water, and called the floating gage. It is to be securely moored by
anchors and cables immediately above the wreck or thing intended to be
raised from the bottom, and it serves by soundings taken upon the different
parts of the said wreck, or in the vicinity thereof, to make out the places or
situations at or from which the several parts of the apparatus are to be put,
fastened, sent down, or otherwise applied. The letters A, B, C, throw. the
three double arms, of which the extremities are o, p, q, s, t, v.i,.i, i, i, i; i;
represent the six holes for the mooring cables to be passed through; and
n, n, n, n; in Fig. 2, are notches.in, posts for belapping or fastening the said
cables. a, b, c, shew the ends or extremities of three. measuring gages in: the
direction of length, and f, g, and h; are the other extremities. thereof. e,
and d, k, are measuring. gages in direction of breadth or crosswise. r, r, r, r,
are the intersections-of the measuring gages, which are supposed to have been
obtained by sounding, and are. called conducting points, because they are at
those parts, herein-after to be explained; from which the principal chains. for
raising the wreck are to be conducted or led. Fig. 2 represents a side wire
of the floating gage. 'n, n, n, n, shew four of the notched posts, and in this
Drawing the casks which support and float the gage are more particularly
seen. Fig. 3 represents by a side view à framed piece constructed of various
timbers and other materials, which I call a compressor; and the dimensions
thereof, as well as of the other. Figures in the said Plate, may be varied
according to the nature of the work: required to be performed, but. in the
Figure here shewn may be determined from the scale of feet which is.inserted
therein; and the use and intention: of the said compressor is, that the same,
together with a similar opposite compressor, may be urged, forced, or pressed
against the sides of the wreck, as herein-after shewn, and may embrace. and
take such hold of the same as to render it practicable, and easy to weigh and
raise the said wreck. The woodwork of the compressors.is fastened together

page_text: by means of certain upright beams connected by iron 'caps and bolts, as shewn
in Fig. 3. and 4. The number of the said upright beams necessary to
contract a compressor may be seven or more if required, in order to increase
the number of raising chains. Two of these upright beams have a projecting
iron bar or piece, as at the letters S and S, to enable the same to rest steady
in the upright position, as is more distinctly shewn in Fig. 5, and the same is
also seen on Fig 4. The several letters i represent the situation where there
are iron clamps or binding-pieces with screws and nuts, which serve to fasten
together the long beams which compose the compressors. The several letters
f represent the situations where other iron binding pieces are employed; in
order to unite together by means of screws and nuts the woodwork of the
upright beams or staples. The two letters e andie shew two other upright
beams, which are moveable and stand higher than the others, and at each of
them is seen at e a round hole and a raising chain, and the same are more
distinctly seen in Fig. 9 and 10, and the said holes are for the purpose
of allowing the conducting cables herein-after described to pass through them.
Fig. 4 is a bird's-eye view of a compressor, and p, p, p, p, shew eight iron
teeth, which are to be made very sharp, so' as to enter into the sides of
the wreck. Fig. 11 shews the same rather differently made. The letters
c and d in Fig. 3 shew a part called the box of the compressor,' and within
the said box is an iron wheel (of three feet diameter in this construction),
having a grove upon its circumference to fit and conduct the chain. Letter a
represents the detaching iron bar with its chain and cable herein-after to be
explained, and Fig. 4 represents a bird's-eye view of the same compressor,
with its detaching iron bar, chain cable and staple of the detaching appa-
ratus and the hole which admits of the detaching iron bar. Letter A (Fig. 6)
shews the said hole, and also shews in what manner the end of a compressing
chain is made fast as at the letter b, so that by means of the screw bolt and its
nut it can be detached at any time when required, and the chains set at liberty.
In Fig. 7, b, c, and d, shew an end view of the two compressors, with the
compressing bell chain, as passing upon the wheel and then coming out at the
hole d. Fig. 5 and 10 shew a side view of the wooden upright beams, and
indicate in what manner the long beams are placed between them to form the
compressors.
t
1
The Figures in the compartment or Plate No. II., are drawn on a scale of
one quarter of an inch to a foot. Fig. 1'represents a bird's-eye view of one: of
the two pieces called connectors. cand c denote 'two holes, out of which the
chains which I call 'bell chains are made to pass from two wheels which turn
freely on their centers. h, h, represent two clamps or holding pieces, which

page_text: serve to adjust the distance between the parts e, e, where there are the two
loops, and through two conducting cables are made to pass. Four iron teeth
are seen at 't, t, t, t, which enter into the side of the wreck, when the
connectors are made to press firmly against it. Fig. II. is a section of
the said connectors, in which the shape and situation of a steel spring
o, p, s, is shewn, which is there placed to cause the connectors to seperate
into two parts, when an iron bar, called the detaching bar, is pulled up by
means of the detaching cable. Fig. 3 represents that side of a connector
which is to be in immediate contact with the wreck.. a, b, and c, shew the
Hine of direction which the chain takes, and a shews it entrance; b, the wheel;
and c, the place where the chain comes out. The letter c shews likewise the
spot upon which the spring box is placed as a point of rest. The letter
d.and e shew a kind of conical body made of iron, the base of which is usually
two feet in diameter, and this base is turned towards the box of the connector
to serve as a check and to stop the chain from going into the said box beyond
the cone. The same letters d and e also indicate a screw and a nut, which
are moveable, in order to seperate the bell chain from the cone when required.
The apex of the conical body has a ring f passed through it, as is also seen in
Fig. 7. The letters i, i, i, i, shew the iron clamps which connect the wood-
work together. The four letters, e, r, and e, r, shew two small rollers, which
are dotted, in both boxes of this connector. These rollers are to prevent
any stress of the chains against the sides of the connecting boxes of the
connectors. D shews the detaching cable with the iron bar as fixed in a con-
nector. Fig. 4 shews by the letters a and b the passage for the chain.
e and e shew the loop through which the conducting cable is made to pass;
but here the first few feet of this cable is replaced by a chain to prevent the
effects of friction from cutting it, and the same chain may be seen in Fig. 9.
The same Fig. 4 also indicates the direction of the line a, b, and c, which the
bell chain makes; and in this side view, Fig. 4, the iron work for the con-
struction of the loop is plainly seen. Fig. 5 shews a bird's-eye view of one
of the girders, and the letters c and e of this Figure shew the two holes where
the bell chain comes out. e and e shew the two holes through which the con-
ducting cables are made to pass; that is to say, after they have been made to
pass through the loops of the connectors. h, h, h, h, are four adjusting
clamps or binding pieces for adjusting the distance of c and c to rather less
than the breadth of the wreck. Fig. 6 represents a side view of the above
girder. a, b, and c, mark the direction which the bell chain takes, and the
wheel on which the bell chain passes is visible by the dotted circle; e and e
are the loops, as in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a front view of a triple chain,

page_text: intended to be applied in immediate contact against the head and stern of the
wreck. d and e represent the conical piece of Fig. 3, and between ƒ and g
and ƒ and g are swivels. g and g are to rings which connect the swivels with
the ends of the triple chain. p, q, r, shew the tops of three upright beams or
stretchers, and s, t, and v, shew the lower part of the same. m, n, and o,
shew a very thin beam made of ash for the sake of its elasticity, or this part
may be jointed. Fig. 9 shews an end view of the same. Fig. 8 shews an
iron connecting piece, through which the conducting cable passes at t, t, of
Fig. 9. Fig. 9 exhibits a side view of one of the two end beams of the triple
chain of Fig. 7, and the letters t, t, at a and b and c and s, shew the iron
staples which connect the beam in the framing thereof. Fig. 10 shews a
side view of a section of a crane to be used in the vessels employed in raising
the wreck. The letters a, b, and c, shew the line of direction which the chain
makes before it goes round the crane. The letters & and e shew the direction
which the other end of the chain makes in coming away from round the
crane. The power of the crane, as here shewn, is 1 to 48. At b is a wheel three
feet in diameter, and there is another similar wheel between d and e. The letter f
shews a bolt which is fixed in this larger wheel of the crane for the purpose of
setting at liberty the large fluted roller upon which the chain is wound. There
are two such bolts in my wreck cranes, because they are double cranes, having
two such large wheels as the Fig. 11 upon this scale will shew, because it
represents a bird's-eye view of a wreck-crane. The letters c and d shew two iron
bars, which serve to lock or secure the chains quite steady when there is
occasion to shoulder back the chain on the fluted roller, because the said
chain is to be worked until by its run to one end it can no longer worked
without shouldering back. The letters and s shew the length of a seperator
or beam from one of the weighing vessels to the other, which may be made
of any required strength. Fig. 11 is a bird's-eye view of the same crane,
which shews exectly in what manner the chain is placed and wound five
times round the large fluted roller. The two letters g and g shew the length
of a metallic clamping piece, which is here fastened in the two beamis, and
the said two beams receive the end of a seperator between them, which is
secured by means of another moveable staple of iron at letter S, and is here
placed between the letters G and G. The two letters h, h, shew the arms of the
said metallic clamping piece, which serve to receive and support the separator
just before it is to be fastned between the two beams as before mentioned.
The letters p shew the four iron bars or bolts, which are placed in the four
framing pieces, marked by the four letters S, with the four letters t. There is
another or fifth iron bar, which is like the other four, and is marked by the letter p.

page_text: This last passes through the center of the wreck crane and the two beams
within the said crane, with the four cross bars or connecting pieces S and t,
shew how the woodwork of the crane is fastened together. Fig. 12 shews a
side view of one of the said long iron framing pieces with the iron bolt passed
through.and.r, Fig. 11, are two wooden rollers, to support the conducting
and recovering cables. The four letters m shew four holes, by which the
crane machinery is to be fastened to one of the raising vessels by means of iron
screws or bolts. Fig. 13 represents a bird's-eye view of an iron plate, which
I call a conducting plate, and is intended to be lowered down alongside the
wreck for purposes herein-after described. Fig. 14 shews the said conducting
plate by a side view. a and b shew two iron rings, but these belong to two
suspensory cables or ropes made use of in letting down the plate, and are
afterwards taken away. c is part of the recovering cable. f is part of the
conducting.cable. p and p shew two out of four pointed iron feet, which are
fixed in the plate, and serve to steady the same in the sand or ground. The
weight or size of a conducting plate must be duly proportioned to the wreck
to be raised. Fig. 15 represents a side view of a preponderator herein-after
explained. a, b, c,.and d, represent the direction which the chain takes upon
this wheel on coming from the wreck crane. The dotted line at e shews the
height and solidity of metal from the bottom of the preponderator to the
letter e, and the remaining empty space from the letter to the top at letter b
is for the purpose of allowing a proper quantity of cannon balls to be thrown
into the said preponderator to adjust its weight in order that a proper number
of them may be equal to counterpoise the greatest part of the wreck or
object to be raised. Fig. 24 exhibits a bird's-eye view of the above prepon-
derator, and letter d shews the manner of locking the chain fast, as is also
seen in Fig. 15. Fig. 24 also shews in what manner the box or wheel are
united. The box at letter d has a small hole, which is just large enough to
allow the chain to pass through and be securely locked by the cross bolt or
pin. Fig. 16 represents a side view of an opening ram. The letters, a and b
shew its two raising cables, which are attached to two loops or eyes for that
purpose. On one side of letter 6 there is a steel spring which extends beyond
the opening or other half of the ram. This end fits the notch of the iron pin at
letter c quite secure (that is to say), when the said pin is put into the closing
loops of the opening ram so as to shut it perfectly. The hole in the center of
the opening ram is to receive the bell chains and other chains. Its breadth is
limited to two feet, but the height of the opening ram may be three or four
feet. Fig. 17 represents a side view of one of the opening tubes. The
letters and shew the two handles as belonging to a primary tube, or tube first

page_text: to be let down, and the other tubes are made exactly the same as in this, but
without the handles to them. The above handles serve to attach two cables to
recover or bring up the same tube. The tubes ar square within and without,
having one of the four squares for a door, which must be made to open by means
of three or four hinges, and the said door is made to shut close in the same man-
ner as the opening ram with an iron pin, as letter c expresses. The dimentions
and weight of the tube should be limited; the height may be about one foot.
Fig. 18 is a section of a spring box, with a bell chain passed through in the
motionless or quiescent state, which is accomplished by means of two springs
and the two bases of bearing catches of the spring box, which two bases fit
exactly the narrow part of the bell chain. The letters a and b shew the
direction which the chain follows to pass through the spring box. Letters
e and e shew the ends of the steel springs which belong to the two bases
d and d, and the said two bases fit exactly the narrow part of the bell chain
or the narrow neck of eack link. Fig. 19 represents the same section,' but the
bell chain is here seen in the act of passing up through the box between the
two bases d and d and the two steel springs e and e, as before mentioned. The
letters a and b shew the direction which the bell chain follows to pass through
the spring box. Letters e and e shew the two steel springs, which appear both
to be in a partly bended state, and the letters d and d shew the two bases
turned upwards so as to allow the bell chain to pass through the spring box.
Fig. 20 represents the half of the spring box taken out of its case (Fig. 21),
so that two of the said halves and the above case complete a spring box when
fitted together. Fig. 21 represents the external appearance of a spring box
case, and contains within it two pieces similar to that represented by Fig. 20,
and these two halves are secured in the above case by means of a top plate
and two long screw bolts, as shewn by the dotted lines. In the central hole
is the passage for the bell chain to pass. Fig. 22 represents one of the two
bases which belong to a spring box, and as this is a bird's-eye view the steel.
spring cannot be seen. This representation is merely to shew the manner
how the two bases are to be rivetted to the two sections which have been.
represented in Fig. 18 and 19. Fig. 23 represents a side view of one of the
two bases with its steel spring belonging to a spring box, and the letter e
shews the end of the steel spring, and letter d the end of the base, the bottom
of which is of a concave shape.
Plate III. contains Drawings of three different shapes of chains to fit the
spring boxes, made upon a scale of three inches to a foot. Fig. 1 represents
several links of a bell-shaped chain, which has been herein-before represented
and mentioned. The head of each link is connected by a cross axis within the

page_text: bell of the next link above, and each axis in succession is placed at right
angles with the two axis next adjacent. Fig. 2 represents another kind of
bell-shaped chain, which may be used instead of the last before mentioned,
because this second is capable of flexure than the other, and may be worked
upon a smaller wheel. Fig. 3 represents another chain of a different shape to
fit the spring boxes, which shape might be preferable to the other two, because
it possesses all their advantages, and would render it unnecessary to have two
different chains upon one length, that is, the bell chain and common oval link
chain, because the chains made of the shape of Fig. 3 may be very well worked
upon the wreck cranes as well as the common oval link chains. The letters e
and shew the thickness of the top part of this link; and a and b the longest
diameter of the bottom part; and c and d shew the parts which begin to
increase till the link ends at the letters k and I, which there finish the breadth,
and is accurately marked in the following Fig. 4, at the letters a and b. The
opening rams, the tubes, and the spring boxes, and likewise most of the iron
work employed, ought in preference to be made of wrought iron, and the spring
boxes may be made to open like the opening rams; and in general the apparatus
may
in Imany respects be varied, as convenience or circumstances may require,
and for which no instructions are needful to be given to any competent workman.
And I do further declare the operation or proceeding for raising and reco-
vering sunken vessels and other objects is to be carried into effect as follows,
namely: First, I do sound with a sounding line, in order to ascertain the
position of the wreck or object to be raised, the several parts thereof, se Plate
IV., Letter A. Secondly, I do lay above the wreck the floating gage if found
needful, and do steady the same by means of six anchors; after which I do
adjust the moveable gages, so as to make them correspond more accurately
with the length, breadth, and other parts of the wreck; see Plate IV., Letters
A, B, C. Thirdly, I do provide four vessels of sufficient size to raise the
wreck, and do place and securely moor the same, one on each side of the
wreck, one at the head and the other at the stern; seen Plate IX. and X. In
the preceding operations the triple chain (Fig. 7, Plate II.) is to be used
when the wreck is sunken into the sand not more than one third of its height,
so that the triple chains may lay hold of the wreck at its extremities. Fourthly,
I do drop down and lay the conducting plates, Fig. 13, 14, Plate II., on their
proper points about the wreck (see Plate No. V.); and so soon as this is done,
I do remove the floating gage. Fifthly, I do drop the triple chains (Fig. 7,
Plate II.), one at the head and the other at the stern of the wreck, by means of
the conducting cables which lead to the plates being passed through the loops
of the triple chains (sec Plate VI. and VII.) Sixthly, I do keep the said triple

page_text: chains upright by supporting weights attached to the extremities of the said
conducting cables, and the said weights are made to lay across the decks of the
two end vessels. Seventhly, I do convey the four extremities or ends of the
chains which belong to the triple chains to the two raising vessels, or vessels
moored on each side, and having previously adjusted the two connectors
(Fig. 1, 2, 3, Plate II.) to the length of the dropping or raising points, as
indicated by the floating gage, I do pass the said chains into the boxes of the
connectors, at the same time that I pass the conducting cables of the sides of the
wreck through the loops of the said connectors. (see Plate VII., Letter c).
Eighthly, I do secure the above chains belonging to the triple chains across the
two raising vessels, and yet do allow them to be rather slack. Ninthly, I do
let fall or lower to the bottom both connectors at the same time, and do keep
the conducting cables upon the stretch, which is done by means of their sup-
porting weights, which are suffered to lay across and hang down on the other
side of each raising vessel, by which means the connectors will be kept constantly
upright under water. Tenthly, I do let down an opening ram (Fig. 16,
Plate 2) on each chain, and do draw up the said chains gently, equally, and
carefully, to examine the difference in the length of each chain. Eleventhly,
I do draw up one of the opening rams, and do send down a spring box
(Fig. 21, Plate II.) on the said chain, and do then again send the same opening
ram after it on that chain. Twelfthly, I do pull up the opening ram as soon
as a few links of the bell chain shall have been known to have passed through
the said spring box. Thirteenthly, I do perform the same with the other
three chains, except the last chain; so much of it is to be drawn up as can
possibly be drawn in this manner by means of an opening ram. Fourteenthly,
I do drive down the other three opening rams equally upon the chains and
spring boxes, so as to tighten them round the wreck as much as possible.
Fifteenthly, I do raise up the opening rams. Sixteenthly, I do increase the tight-
ness of the chains by means of a column of tubes, which is done first by applying
the two seperators, see Fig. 10 and 11, Plate II., and also Plates VI., VII., and
VIII., to the cranes, and then by passing the chains at least five times round the
fluted rollers of the wreck cranes, I do then add the preponderators to each
crane, and do lock or secure the said preponderators; or otherwise I do per-
form the operation if requisite without the preponderators (sce Plate No. X.)
Seventeenthly, I do send down a primary tube (Fig. 17, Plate II.) upon one of
the chains, and then other common tubes after it till the number of them do
reach to the top, where there is a box and wheel (see Plate VII., Letters c, t, b).
Eighteenthly, I do work the crane in order that the chain may be drawn up
within the tubes at the same time that the said tube, by reacting upon the

page_text: connector, do prevent the same from rising. Nineteenthly, whenever the
chains on the fluted rollers require to be shouldered, the said chains must be
locked at both ends of the crane, in order to execute that operation (see
Plate II., Fig. 10, Letter c and d). Twentiethly, I do measure the length of
the chain thus gained within the tubes; and according to that length, I do
either increase the same by heaving in, or I do desist from any further
operation on it. Twenty-firstly, when no more of the chain can be gained, I
then do raise the column of tubes by means of the two recovering cables,
which belong to the primary tube. Twenty-secondly, I do perform the same
operation upon the other two chains, if required, till they have become quite
tight round the wreck; and I do reckon and take notice of the power or force
of the above degree of tightness round the wreck. Twenty-thirdly, I do
recover the tubes in the same manner as before mentioned. Twenty-fourthly,
I do adjust the distance between the raising holes c, c, of the girders (Fig. 5
and 6, Plate II.) to something less than the breadth of the wreck upon the
upper deck thereof (see also s, s, Plates VII. and VIII.) Twenty-fifthly, I do
pass the conducting cables through the loops of the girders at the same time
that the chains are made to pass through the boxes thereof, and the conducting
cables are also made to stand upon the stretch, as before mentioned concerning
the connectors. Twenty-sixthly,. I do draw up the chains gently, so as to find
their true length, and by means of the suspensory cables which belong to the
girders I do raise the said girders a few feet high, and do let them fall again
about three times; and by these means the said girders will place themselves
directly across the breadth of the wreck in an upright position. Twenty-
seventhly, I do remove the suspensory cables, and do send down a spring box
upon each chain, and then an opening ram upon every one of them till the said
girders become firmly applied across the wreck; and at this period I do finally
remove the opening rams; and, the different lengths of the recovering cables of
the opening rams having been noticed, they are to be compared with their
chains and amongst each other, by which the side inclination of the wreck
will be correctly known. Twenty-eighthly, I do tighten the girders more
strongly upon the deck by means of the columns of tubes, in the manner before
noticed and described; and I do regulate the power of lightening by a given
number. of men working at each crane, and do note down that power.
Twenty-ninthly, I do remove all the tubes, and do apply preponderators and
place a suitable and given number of men at each wreck crane, and do
proceed to elevate the wreck from its sunken position. Thirtiethly, if the
preponderators be not intended to be used, in that case the raising chains are
to be locked at low water, and the wreck will rise with the tide..
..

page_text: And I do further declare, that the compressors (Fig. 3 and 4, Plate 1) are
to be used instead of the connectors and triple chains when a wreck or any,
other object may happen to be sunk in the sand very deep, so as to leave but a
few feet from the upper deck uncovered with sand; and in this case I do
proceed as follows:-Firstly, I do send down four conducting plates by the
side of the wreck on the raising points after the true position of it has been
ascertained by the floating gage in the manner herein-before mentioned.
Secondly, I do adjust the conducting loops of the compressors to the raising
points (the four vessels are supposed to be placed as before mentioned in the
opperation with the triple chains). Thirdly, I do drop down or lower the
compressors by the sides of the wreck, which is performed by means of the four
raising chains and the conducting cables, see Plate IX. (but previously to
dropping down the compressors, the bell chains have been passed through
the boxes of their opposite extremities, and by that means the said chains
become.compressing chains, and are made to rest upon the two vessels placed.
at the head and stern of the wreck). Fourthly, the compressors having been
dropped on the four conducting plates, they are kept upright by means of the
four conducting cables, which have been made to pass through the adjusted
loops of the same. Fifthly, I. do then send down a spring box upon cach
compressing bell chain; and after that a primary tube; and after that other
tubes. Sixthly, I do then cause the compressors to meet at their extremitics,
by means of the wreck cranes and preponderators working the compressing
bell chains up within the two columns of tubes (see Plate X.) Seventhly, I
do note the power employed to accomplish the same, and do remove the tubes
and send down the girders, and fasten the same by the spring boxes in the
same manner as before noticed. Eighthly, I do remove the two compressing
bell chains from the two end vessels, and bring them to bear on the two raising
vessels along with their detaching cables. Ninthly, I do then affix the
seperators, if not before placed. Tenthly, I place and duly apply the pre-
ponderators to all the wreck cranes, and do elevate the wreck, as before
mentioned, in directing the use of the triple chains. Eleventhly, but in case
it be thought preferable not to use the preponderators I do lock the chains at
low water, and the wreck will consequently rise by the flowing in of the tide, as
before noticed; see Plate XI.
EXPLANATION of the several Letters affixed to the Eight Plates, describing the
Operations.
Plate IV. A, B, C, three double arms of the floating gage; D and E,

page_text: Plate V-R, R, R, R, recovering cables; C, C, C, C, C, C, C, conducting
cables; 1, 1, 1, 1, suspensory cables; r, r, r, r, raising points.
Plate VI.-S, S, two seperators.
Plate VII-D, D, detaching cables; c, c, connecting boxes of a connector;
R, R, R, R, R, R, six recovering cables; C, C, C, C, C, C, C, seven conducting
cables; r, r, raising points on the sand; O, an opening ram; b, u, t, a column
of tubes; W, W, weights to stretch the conducting cables.
Plate VIII. C, C, C, C, C, C, C,C, eight conducting cables; R, R, R, R, R, R,
six recovering cables; D, D, two detaching cables; r, r, r, r, four raising
points; e, c, the connecting boxes of a connector; o, s, s, t, four spring boxes
on the two girders; W, W, two conducting cable weights; p, p, two pre-
ponderators.
F
Plate IX-a, t, b, the direction of the two compressing bell chains; D, D,
two detaching cables; E, E, E, E, four raising chains; c, c, c, c, four conducting
cables; R, R, R, R, four recovering cables; 7, r, r, r, four raising points;
c, p, two chains, each going into a port hole to receive the preponderators;
W, W, the two conducting cable weights on that side.
Plate X. c, p, two chains, &c,; W, W, two conducting cable weights;
r, r, r, r, four raising points; E, E, E, E, four raising chains; s, b, s, b, two
columns of tubes; b, b, two crane boxes; S, S, two spring boxes; R, R, R, R,
four recovering cables of the primary tubes; D, D, two detaching cables;
p, a small preponderator.
Plate IX. t, t, two compressing bell chains; D, D, two detaching cables;
E, E, E, E, four raising bell chains; S, S, S, S, four spring boxes over the
girders. All the cables and chains employed have swivels placed at proper
distances to prevent them from being entangled, and they are also graduated
at every twelfth feet.
And lastly, I have exhibited these Drawings and the explanations thereof,
with the actual operations upon a model (on a scale of three eighths of an inch
to a foot), before the Honorable Board of the Admiralty, at three different
times, in November One thousand eight hundred and twelve, with which the
Board was pleased to express its satisfaction.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Baptist Serny, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the. Fifteenth day of March; in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirteen.
JOHN BAPTIST SERNY. (L.S.)

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifteenth day of March, in
the year of our Lord 1813, the aforesaid John Baptist Serney came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in manner
5 and form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statutes made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirteen.