IMPROVE- BAD DRADELLING SEA-GOING VESSELS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Gerner of New York City in the United States
of America Civil and Mechanical Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
BAD DRADELLING SEA-GOING VESSELS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Gerner at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May 1883.
HENRY GERNER, of New York City, in the United States of America, Civil and
Mechanical Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING
SEA-GOING VESSELS,"
The object of my said invention is to utilise the pitching and rolling motions of
sea-going vessels, in propelling, or aiding or assisting in propelling, such vessels, by
means of improved apparatus, which can be applied to existing vessels, as well as
to vessels specially constructed therefor.
The means whereby I effect this object, consist of a hanging keel, capable of
vibrating on hinges, transversely to the length of the vessel; and also of a horizontal
platform hinged at or near the stern of the vessel, and extending a certain distance
abaft the stern.
The hanging keel is for the purpose of utilising the rolling or rocking motion of
the vessel, and the platform at the stern is for the purpose of utilising the pitching,
or rising and falling motion of the vessel.
I construct the external keel, or a portion of the keel of a Vessel, by preference
of solid metal, or partly so, so as to give it heavy weight, so that it may have a
tendency to hang perpendicularly, and I hinge this keel to the vessel, so that it
may vibrate upon its hinged connections, like a pendulum, and remain in a vertical
position, or nearly so, when the Vessel is rolling in the sea.
To the upper part of this hinged keel I fix one or more toothed segments or.
portions of wheels, which protrude into the bottom of the Vessel, for which purpose
a cut, or cuts, is made into the bottom of the same, and each of these segments
engages with a toothed wheel keyed on an axle, which lays in stuffing boxes placed

page_text: in the sides of a water-tight compartment, which is so placed in the hull of the
vessel that it surrounds the segment and the toothed wheel, and thus preventing
the water to get access to the hull.
To the ends of this axle are keyed or fastened toothed wheels discs or cranks, as
may be required, which rotate or partially rotate or vibrate, more or less, in
accordance with the motion of the vessel, by the action of the sea upon the same,
owing to the relative movements and positions to each other of the Vessel and the
hinged keel. To these toothed wheels, discs, and cranks, suitable connections are
made with an air-compressor or compressors, or with bydraulic pumps and
accumulators or their equivalents, by means of which power is obtained for driving
one or more engines, which drive a screw or screws, paddle wheels or other
propeller or propellers of any form and nature by which a Vessel may be
propelled.
In order to utilise the pitching and tossing or rising and falling of the Vessel,
that is to say, when the stern and bow are alternately raised and lowered by the
action of the sea, I fit at or near the stern or in the fixed part of a hollow keel,
forward of the stern post, a strong support on each side of the Vessel, for bearings
or journals in which is placed a transverse shaft, the two ends of such shaft or axle
projecting outside the fixed hollow keel of the vessel.
To the ends of this axle, and at right angles thereto, I fit suitable arms, which
extend abaft the stern of the vessel, and to these arms a platform is fitted, formed
partly of wood and partly of iron in such a manner, that it will just have a
tendency to sink in the water, when the vessel is lying still, but, when the vessel
is moving forward, the platform will swing out behind the vessel with its upper
surface parallel, or nearly so, to the surface of the sea.
The platform is so constructed that it clears the rudder and allows it to swing
freely in any direction required. To the centre of the shaft or axle, inside the
hollow keel, is fastened or keyed a toothed wheel, which engages into another
toothed wheel, or trains of such wheels as may be required, which in turn engages
into another toothed wheel fastened or keyed on to the centre of an axle, the enda
of which lay in stuffing boxes placed in a water-tight partition, surrounding all the
before mentioned toothed wheels, so as to prevent the water getting access to the
hull.
On the ends of the last mentioned axle or shaft are keyed wheels, discs or cranks,
as may be desired, which rotate or vibrate when the Vessel is pitched or tossed,
owing to the relative different and opposite movements and positions to each other
of the vessel and the hinged and swinging platform. To the last mentioned
toothed wheels discs or cranks suitable connections are made with an air-compressor
or compressors, or with hydraulic pumps and accumulators or their equivalents, by
means of which power is obtained for driving the Engine or Engines, for propelling
the Vessel as before mentioned. The Vessel may be driven by any ordinary
propeller, but I prefer to drive the same by means of two screws, having each a
continuous screw-thread on an axle, the ends of which are mounted in suitable
bearings and contained in the centre of tubes, placed at the sides, in the middle of
the Vessel, and at or near the bottom.
These screws are driven by means of gear wheels, cranks, or other suitable
gearing bulkheads and watertight compartments and stuffing boxes being
provided to prevent water from getting into the hull of the Vessel.
The before mentioned tubes in which the screws work are provided at each end
with sliding gates or valves which can be closed and rendered watertight when
required, and thus prevent the water from entering the tubes, in case of the screws,
requiring to be removed or repaired, or attention paid to the gear or connections
with the Engines. While such repairs are in progress the vessel can proceed under
sail as an ordinary Sailing Vessel, as the screws will not drag or cause any impedi-
ment to the progress of the Vessel. But it is to be understood that I do not confine
myself to this or any particular form of propeller.

page_text: The Vessel is provided with sails and rigging suited to its size and build, so as
to render the same, independently of the addition of my said invention, as efficient
as an ordinary sailing vessel.
-
I fit a mizen mast near the stern, which is fitted at the top end with a pulley
block. Upon or surrounding this mast I place a travelling weight, or weights,
which can be increased or reduced, as required, and which travels or slides freely
up and down the mast. A rope or chain is attached at or near the outer end of
the hinged platform, and is passed over the said pulley-block on the top of the
mizen mast, and fastened to the said weight, and thereby serves to balance the
platform and keep its upper surface parallel to the surface of the sea. By means
of this chain or rope, and such additional gear as may be necessary,
the platform
is also hoisted up under the stern of the Vessel, when the Vessel is in harbour
or dock.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters ratent med
by the said Henry Gerner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st November
1883.
HENRY GERNER, of New York city, in the United States of America, Civil and
Mechanical Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING
SEA-GOING VESSELS.'
"
The object of my said invention is to utilize the pitching and rolling motions of
sea-going vessels in propelling, or aiding in propelling, such vessels, by means of
improved apparatus, which can be applied to existing vessels as well as to vessels
specially constructed therefor.
The means, whereby I effect this object, consist of one or more hanging keels,
capable of vibrating on hinges, transversely to the length of the vessel; and also of
a horizontal platform, hinged at or near the stern of the vessel and extending a
certain distance abaft the stern according to the size of the vessel.
The banging keel or keels are for the purpose of utilizing the rolling or rocking
motion of the vessel; and the hinged platform at the stern is for the purpose of
utilizing the pitching or rising and falling motion of the vessel.
I construct the external keel or keels, or a portion of the keel or keels of a
vessel, by preference of solid metal, or partly, so as to give it weight, so that it may
have a tendency to hang perpendicularly; and I hinge this keel or keels to the
vessel, so that it may vibrate upon its or their hinged connections like a pendulum,
and will remain in a vertical position, or nearly so, when the vessel is rolling in
the sea.
To the upper part of this hinged keel or keels I fix one or more toothed segments
or portions of wheels, which protrude into the bottom of the vessel for which
purpose a cut, or cuts, is made into the bottom of the same; and each of these
segments engages with a toothed wheel, keyed on an axle, which lies in stuffing
boxes, placed in the sides of a water-tight compartment, which is so placed in the
hull of the vessel, that it surrounds the segment and the toothed wheel, and thus
prevents the water to get access to the hull. To the ends of this axle are keyed or
fastened toothed wheels, discs or cranks, which rotate or partially rotate or vibrate
more or less, in accordance with the motion of the vessel, by the action of the sea
upon the same, owing to the relatively different positions to each other of the
vessel and the hinged keel or keels.
To these toothed wheels discs or cranks suitable connections are made with an
air-compressor or compressors or with hydraulic pumps and accumulators or their
equivalents, by means of which power is obtained for driving one or more engines,
which drive a screw or screws, paddle-wheels, or other propeller or propellers of
any form and nature by which a vessel may be propelled.
It will be advisable in many cases, especially in case of flat bottomed vessels, to
place on each side of the stationary centre keel hinged keels parallel to the centre
keel on each side of the same. To these hinged keels the machinery is connected,
required for obtaining the power for propelling the vessel as set forth. By thus
applying more hinged and narrower keels the same or even more power may be
obtained than by the use of a single deeper hinged centre keel, and the vessel will
draw less water. By this arrangement the cutting of a slot in the centre of the
bottom of the vessel and thus cutting through keelson is also prevented.
In case hydraulic pumps and accumulators or their equivalents are employed,
the engine or engines may be dispensed with, as the water itself from the hydraulic
pumps or accumulators, ejected sternward into the sea through pipes or apertures
in the sides, bottom or stern of the vessel, will propel the same.
In order to utilize the pitching and tossing or rising and falling of the vessel,
that is to say, when the stern and bow are alternately raised and lowered by the
action of the sea, I fit at or near the stern, or to the fixed hollow keel, and forward

page_text: of the stern post, a strong support, on each side of the vessel, for bearings or
journals, in which is placed a transverse shaft, the two ends of such shaft or axle
projecting outside the fixed hollow keel of the vessel. To the ends of this axle and
at right angles thereto I fasten suitable arms, which extend abaft the stern of the
vessel, and to these arms and between the same a platform is fitted, formed partly
of wood and partly of iron, in such a manner, that it will just have a tendency to
sink in the water, when the vessel is lying still, but when the vessel is moving
forward the platform will swing out behind the vessel with its upper surface
parallel to the surface of the sea, owing to its buoyancy and to the current keeping
it in this position; but when the stern of the vessel is setting down into or raised
up in the sea, the front part of the platform will of necessity, being hinged to the
axle by its arms, move up and down with the vessel, but the rear end of the
platform will remain stationary, or nearly so, with the exception of slight
movements, when the forward movement of the vessel and the current places it in
its original position, with its upper and lower surfaces parallel to the surface of the
sea. The platform is so constructed that it clears the rudder and allows it to
swing freely in any direction required. To the centre of the shaft or axle to which
the arms of the platform are fastened inside the hollow keel is keyed a toothed
wheel, which engages into another toothed wheel, or trains of such wheels, as may
be required, which in turn engages into another toothed wheel fastened or keyed
onto the centre of an axle the ends of which lie in stuffing boxes, placed in the
sides of a water tight partition, surrounding all the before mentioned toothed
wheels, so as to prevent the water getting access to the hull. On the ends of the
last mentioned axle or shaft are keyed toothed wheels, discs or cranks, which
rotate or vibrate, when the vessel is pitched or tossed, owing to the relatively
different positions to each other of the vessel and the hinged platform. To the last
mentioned toothed wheels, discs or cranks suitable connections are made with an
air-compressor or compressors, or with hydraulic pumps and accumulators or their
equivalents, by means of which power is obtained for driving the engine or engines
for propelling the vessel, as before mentioned; and also in this case, if hydraulic
pumps and accumulators are used, the engine or engines may be dispensed with, as
before set forth.
. The vessel may be driven by any ordinary propeller, but I prefer to use two
screws; having each a continuous screw-thread on an axle, the ends of which are
mounted in suitable bearings, contained in the centre of tubes, placed in or at the
sides, in the middle of the vessel, and at or near the bottom. These screws
are driven by means of gear wheels, cranks or other suitable gearing; bulk-
heads and watertight partitions and stuffing boxes being provided to prevent
the water from getting into the hull of the vessel. The before mentioned
tubes, in which the screws work, are provided at each end with sliding gates or
valves, which can be closed and rendered water-tight when required, and thus
prevent the water from entering the tubes, in case of the screws requiring to be
renewed or repaired, or attention paid to the gear or connections with the engines.
While such repairs are in progress, the vessel can proceed under sail as an ordinary
sailing vessel, as the screws will not drag or cause any impediment to the progress
of the vessel. But it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to this or
any particular form of propeller. The vessel is provided with sails and rigging
suited to its size and build, so as to render the same, independently of the addition
of the means and apparatus described in my said invention, as efficient as an
ordinary sailing vessel. I fit a mizen mast near the stern, which is fitted at the
top-end with a pulley block. Upon or surrounding this mast, or inside of a hollow
mast, I place a travelling weight or weights, which can be increased or reduced
as required, and which travels or slides freely up and down over or in the mast.
A rope or chain is attached at or near the outer end of the hinged platform,
and is passed over the said pulley block, on the top of the mizen mast and
fastened to the said sliding weight, and thereby serves to balance the hinged
platform, and keep its upper surface parallel to the sea. By means of this chain

page_text: or rope, and such additional gear as may be necessary, the platform is hoisted.
up under the stern of the vessel, when the same is in harbour or dock.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a side view of a vessel
embodying my invention, Fig 2 is a horizontal section along line w-w of Fig. 1,
and Figure. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 1 along the centre lines of the
propellers and above the platform; Figure 4 is a vertical section through
line. x. of Fig, 1; Figure 5 is a vertical section through line y-y of Fig. 1;
Figure 6 is a vertical section through line S-S of Fig. 1, and Figure. 7 is a
vertical section through line v-v of Fig. 3.
A is the vessel with masts R, R and rudder G; E. is the fixed keel at the bow;
F is the fixed hollow keel at the stern; B is the hinged keel; i, i, i, 'i represent the
hinges; a is the segment fixed to the hinged keel B; b is the toothed wheel on the
axle c; d. is the water-tight partition; S, the cut into the bottom of the vessel;
e and e are discs, with cranks f, f keyed to the ends of axle c. D, D are the
supports for the journals or bearings of the axle J. M, M are the arms of the
platform C. g is the toothed wheel on the centre of axle J inside the hollow fixed
keel F. is the toothed wheel engaging with wheel 9, which again engages with
the toothed wheel i, on the axle 2, which lies in stuffing boxes in the sides of the
watertight partition_h'. e³. e² are discs, keyed on the ends of axle. i¹, with
cranks: ff. H, H, on axles h³, in bearings P', are the two propeller screws,
placed in the centre of the tubes. K, K, with the sliding gates L, L. m, m, and n, n
are gear wheels, o, o, the axles of the gear wheels n, n, placed in stuffing boxes in
the sides of the water tight partitions q, q, and to the ends of which are keyed the
discs e¹, having cranks f¹, for the connecting rods of the engines, driving the
screws. H H. N is the mizen mast with pulley block o'; M', is, a sliding weight,
and n¹ is a rope attached to the end of the hinged platform C, passed over the
pulley block o¹, and fastened to the sliding weight. M',
I do not limit myself to the details described and represented by the drawings
for the purpose of illustration.
What I claim is.
1. A vessel having one or more hinged keel or keels, so constructed and applied to
the same, that the keel or keels will remain in a perpendicular position, when
the vessel is rocked, or keels over to the right or left, substantially as set forth.
2. A vessel having a hinged platform, applied at or near the stern in such a
manner, that the platform will remain in a position with its surfaces parallel to
the surface of the sea when the vessel is moved forward on even keel, but when
the vessel is pitched or tossed the position of the platform to the vessel will be
different with the motion of the vessel, substantially as set forth.
3. The propeller-screwa H, H in the tubes K, K with the sliding gates L, L,
substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of the screws H H with the gear-wheels m and n, axles
discs e¹ with cranks f¹, substantially as set forth.
0, and
5. The combination of the hinged keel B, with the segment a, wheel b, axle c,
discs e and cranks f, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the platform C, with axle J, supports and bearings D,
wheels 9, hand i, axle i¹ and discs e³, with cranks f³, substantially as set forth.
7 The combination of the platform C with rope n', weight M¹, and mast. N, with
pulley block. o', substantially as set forth.
In Witness whereof I, the said Henry Gerner have hereunto set my hand and
seal thic
dex of October AD 1883.