IMPROVEMENTS IN. LIFE RAFTS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Raymond, of Dalston, in the County of
Middlesex, Master Mariner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN.
LIFE RAFTS."
Sealed the 16th November 1858, and dated the 17th May 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Raymond at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
May 1858.
I, WALTER RAYMOND, of Dalston, in the County of Middlesex, Master.
Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LIPE RAPTS," to be as follows:-
I form my life raft of two double galvanised iron cases, cylindrical at top,
and flat or nearly so at bottom, in conformity to the size of the vessel to be
supplied. The inner case is corrugated with round ends, and partitioned
within; the concave portion is filled in with cork, attached by marine glue or
otherwise; then a casing of cork over that; this to fit tightly inside of an
outer case made of galvanised sheet iron. I call this outer case the shield ;
and in order to obtain extreme lightness combined with strength, I intend
that the outer case shall be surrounded at intervals with hollow bands, filled in
with cork or other suitable material, to act as fenders, and to contain swivel,

page_text: circular, or other rings, with the view to prevent numerous lashings in the
construction of the life raft. The ends are also fortified and strengthened by
similar means, care being taken to apply sufficient buoyancy by the cork casing
introduced between, that when the cases are filled with water they will not
sink, and in case of collision with a vessel or against rocks they will offer an
adequate resistance. The communication between the two cases and lining will
be by two holes, with suitable air-tight covers, one being a large oval orifice,
to enable a person to reach the bottom, and through which bags containing the
mails, provisions, treasure, or other articles can be speedily deposited and
secured. The opposite opening is circular, with an air-tight cover, and having
a pipo attached following the inside curve of the case to the bottom, in order
to admit atmospheric air to speedily empty it of its liquid contents when
required. To the under part of this cover a spring hook and dipper are
attached with a chain, by which means a supply of water is easily obtained
when required. A space is left between the two cases, and the lining of
cork even with the openings, fitted with a suitable cover, bag, and plug, to
contain rockets, blue lights, lucifer matches, powder, short musketoon,
chopper, &c.
To the outer cases are fitted angular or round iron bars, so arranged that
they can be immediately and securely attached to the corresponding swivel
eyes, thus forming twin tubes, with their corresponding bars and marks.
When these bars are thrown across and connected, I form a deck on the
same, by using bamboos or rods of other suitable buoyant material, of nearly the
same length as the outer cases, by laying them on the cross bars, and passing
a rope or cord under and over both ends to secure the same, an operation
which can be expeditiously done. In order to prevent the sea from washing
up between the bamboos, hammocks, sail cloth, or any like material can be
rove. I pass bamboos through the swivel rings, to act as guard rails to
strengthen and connect the cases, also to enable sail to be made on the raft.
The bamboos having air-tight partitions are buoyant, strong, and durable, and
well adapted for this purpose, and by having the lashing ropes spliced on
them, they can be quickly handled and lashed on by any one. A raft of this
description is speedily constructed, combining safety, lightness, strength, and
durability.