Improvements in "Careening" Ships and Steamers and in Appliances therefor, to Ascertain the Exact Centre of Gravity and Actual Stability, either before Loading or when Loaded, and applicable wherever the Vessel may be Moored.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 5th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Careening" Ships and Steamers and in Appliances
therefor, to Ascertain the Exact Centre of Gravity and Actual
Stability, either before Loading or when Loaded, and applicable
wherever the Vessel may be Moored.
I, EDMUND FREDERICK WAILES, of 13 Tankerville Terrace, in the City and
County of Newcastle upon Tyne, Naval Architect, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:
-
According to my invention I ascertain the exact centre of gravity and stability
of a vessel either light, or when loaded and ready to proceed upon her voyage, in
the most reliable, and practical manner by "carcening" her without the risk,
inconvenience and expense of moving the vessel or of taking heavy weights on
board as has hitherto been the practice in " careening."
In order to carry my invention into practical operation I suspend from strong
beams, or brackets, projecting beyond the side of the vessel, one or more heavy
weights which I propose to construct in the form of floating vessels, such as barges
or launches, preferably propelled by steam, and with tanks capable of being readily
filled with water and readily emptied when required. At two points, or more, in
the length of these floating vessels is a strong transverse bulkhead, single or double,
to, (or between) which is secured a drum barrel to receive a hawser or chain and
revolved by strong worm or other gearing, preferably by steam, by the main
engines or by a separate engine, so that all the drum barrels work together.
The beams or brackets with all the gear, necessary for attaching them to the
vessel to be "carecuéd," are carried by the barge or launch which will have a crane
to hoist and lower them to or from the vessel's deck, provision being, made at
suitable points on the vessel's deck at each side (either when built or afterwards
constructed) by straps or clasps to receive and secure the beams or brackets to the
vessel in such manner that they can be readily shipped and unshipped.
The barges or launches will be constructed, of sufficient strength to bear the
strains of being suspended, from two or more points, completely clear of the water
and, when self propelled, may have two stems with a propeller at each end to
facilitate placing in position alongside the vessel and will have accommodation for
the crew.
::
The barges or launches with the "careening" gear will proceed to the vessel,
wherever moored, and being alongside, the beams or brackets will be hoisted to the
deck and fixed in position, the outer ends being then plumb" with the centre line
of the barge or launch. The hawsers or chains will be unwound from the drum
barrels, passed between guide sheaves, fitted at a convenient height above the
centre of gravity of the barge' or. launch to steady it when lifted, and the ends
made fast to the projecting ends of the beams or brackets, already secured to the
vessel, and the druns being revolved simultáneously, the barge or launch will be
gradually raised in the water, or entirely clear of it as may be necessary, to cause
the vessel to be "careened "to the required extent. In small vessels the angle of
"careening" inay be effected without entirely lifting the barge out of the water,
but in large vessels the whole weight of the barge, with tanks full, may be necessary
to be brought to bear. When the centre of gravity and angle of stability of the
vessel has been ascertained the barge is lowered into the water by reversing the
revolution of the drum barrels, which may be fitted with powerful brakes, the beams
or brackets are unshipped from the vessel's side, lowered by the crane and stowed
away, when the barge or launch may proceed to another vessel or return to its
moorings

page_text: ::
The barge will never be lifted more than a few inches above the water so that
there will be much less risk of over careening" the vessel as the barge or launch
can be instantly lowered into the water, by the brakes and the vessel relieved of
the weight.
In the case of very large vessels of broad beam, or of warships, the weight of
the barges or launches can be greatly increased by filling auxiliary tanks upon the
deck and in addition empty tanks may be carried which, being lifted on to the
deck of the vessel near the bulwarks, may be there filled with water by the pumps
of the barge, or heavy "Kentledge" may be put into the barge in very exceptional
cases, or preferably longer beams or brackets may be used, to act with greater
leverage, instead of auxiliary dead weight.
23
The angles of "careening can be taken by a pendulum attached to a tripod
placed temporarily on middle line of the vessel and, for the purpose of recording
the weight brought to bear, a dynamometer will preferably be fitted to each
hawser or chain.
Dated this 30th day of January 1891
T. J. DANSON;
By L.. W., per F. B.
1',
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in "Careening" Ships and Steamers and in Appliances
therefor, to Ascertain the Exact Centre of Gravity and Actual
Stability, either before Loading or when Loaded, and applicable
wherever the Vessel may be Moored.
I, EDMUND FEEDERICK WAILES, of 13 Tankerville Terrace, in the City and
County of Newcastle upon Tyne, Naval Architect, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
According to my invention I ascertain the exact centre of gravity and stability
of a vessel under any conditions, either light, partially loaded, or when loaded and
ready to proceed upon her voyage, in the most reliable and practical manner by
careening her without the risk, inconvenience and expense of moving the vessel
or of taking heavy weights on board as has hitherto been the practice. in
"careening.
<
In order to carry my invention into practical operation I suspend from strong
beams, or brackets, projecting beyond the side of the vessel, one or more heavy
weights which I propose to construct in the form of floating vessels, such as barges
or launches, preferably propelled by steam, and with tanks capable of being readily
filled with water and readily emptied when required. At two points, or more, in
the length of these floating vessels is a strong transverse single or double beam or
bulkhead, to, (or between) which is secured a drum barrel to receive a hawser or
chain and revolved by strong "worm or other gearing, preferably by steam, by
the main engines, or by a separate engine, so that all the drum barrels work
together.
22
The beams or brackets with all the gear, necessary for attaching them to the
vessel to be "careened," are carried by the barge or launch which may have a
crane to hoist and lower them to or from the vessel's deck, provision being made at
suitable points on the vessel's deck at each side (either when built or afterwards
constructed) by straps or clasps to receive and secure the beams or brackets to the
vessel in such manner that they can be readily shipped and unshipped.
The barges or launches will be constructed of sufficient strength to bear the
strains of being suspended, from two or more points, completely clear of the water
and, when self propelled; may have two stems or sterns with a propeller at each end
to facilitate placing in' position alongside the vessel and will have accommodation
for the crew.

page_text: The barges or launches with the "careening" gear will proceed to the vessel,
wherever moored, and being alongside, the beams or brackets will be hoisted to the
deck and fixed in position, the outer ends being then plumb" with the centre line
of the barge or launch. The hawsers or chains will be unwound from the drum
barrels, passed between guide sheaves, fitted at a convenient height above the
centre of gravity of the barge or launch to steady it when lifted, and the end's
made fast to the projecting ends of the beams or brackets, already secured to the
vessel, and the drums being revolved simultaneously, the barge or launch will be
gradually raised in the water, or entirely clear of it as may be necessary, to cause
the vessel to be "careened" to the required extent: In small or light vessels the
angle of "careening" may be effected without entirely lifting the barge out of the
water, but in large vessels the whole weight of the barge, with tanks filled, may be
necessary to be brought to bear. When the centre of gravity and angle of stability
of the vessel has been ascertained 'the barge is lowered into the water by reversing
the revolution of the drum barrels, which may be fitted with powerful brakes, the
beams or brackets are unshipped from the vessel's side, lowered by the crane and
stowed away, when the barge or launch may proceed to another vessel or return to
its moorings.
•
The barge will never be lifted more than a few inches above the water so that
there will be much less risk of over "careening" the vessel as the barge or launch
can be instantly lowered into the water, by the brakes and the vessel relieved of
the weight.
In the case of very large vessels of broad beam, or of warships, the weight
of the barges or launches can be greatly increased by filling auxiliary tanks upon
the deck and in addition empty tanks may be carried which, being lifted on to the
deck of the vessel near the bulwarks, may be there filled with water by the pumps
of the barge, or heavy "Kentledge may be put into the barge in very exceptional
cases, or preferably longer beams or brackets may be used, to act with greater
leverage; instead of auxiliary dead weight.
::
The angles of careening" can be taken by a pendulum attached to a tripod
placed temporarily on middle line of the vessel, and, for the purpose of recording
the weight brought to hear, a dynamometer will preferably be fitted to each hawser
or chain.
: .
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
The accompanying 2 sheets of drawings illustrate my invention as I propose to
carry it into general practical application but it will be understood that the details
of the apparatus may be considerably modified to suit special cases.
<
Figs. 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) shew respectively a "fore" and "aft" sectional elevation
and a plan of a careeningsteam launch propelled by a screw and fitted with the
requisite machinery by which, being attached to the vessel, to be "careened," it
can be caused to bring its whole dead weight, or such portion thereof as may be
required, to bear upon the vessel till the proper angle of stability is ascertained.
Fig. 3 (Sheet 2) shews a "thwartship" section of the same steam launch, to a
larger scale, and Fig. 4 a portion of the section of one side of a vessel to which the
"careening appliances have been attached ready for connecting the floating steam
launch thereto.
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A and A' are two pairs of diagonal engines placed forward and aft of the
boiler B each working onto a separate cranked shaft and connected by spur gearing
to rotate the chain or hawser drum barrels C. C' fitted with powerful brakes D, D¹.
The cranked shaft from engines A. continues aft to work the propeller being fitted
with a disconnecting clutch E in a tunnel through the aft tank Funder the space G
which forms the cabin for crew, also a store room for stowing the gear. Fis the
forward tank under the space II which forms a cabin, office, and store room for the
captain. Jare thwartship tanks recessed to receive the drum barrels C, C¹.
Coal bunkers KK are formed on each side of the boiler. Referring to Sheet 2,
Fig. 4 is a side view of one of the beams or brackets L secured to the vessel to be

page_text: "careened" by straps or clasps M M. temporarily fixed to the deck and having
struts N N to support the projecting ends against the side of the vessel.
The chains or hawsers O O from the drum barrels are carried up through
leading sheaves P plumb with the centre line of the launch to the ends of the
beams L. The chains or hawsers are shewn attached to a weight recording
appliance Q connected to the end of each beam to indicate the weight which is
operating at each stage of the "careening as also when the proper angle is
reached. The vessel may be strengthened if necessary at the points where the
beams or brackets L are to be fitted by stiffening stays K carried down to the lower
deck or by brackets from the underside of the deck to the side.
22
In exceptional cases of very large vessels it may be necessary to sling two barges
or launches to effect the careening."
::
The barges or launches when not employed for "careening" may be utilised as
ordinary steam barges or for towing purposes.
The tanks FF can be filled by opening cocks in the bottom of the launch and
the thwartship tanks J J' pumped full by an auxiliary pump which will also feed
the boiler.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1st. The improvements in the method of "careening" ships and steamers, to
ascertain the exact centre of gravity and actual stability, consisting in suspending
from beams or brackets, temporarily secured to the vessel and projecting beyond
the side, a floating barge or barges weighted with water or "Kentledge," or both,
and having mechanical appliances by means of which the barge may be raised
partially or entirely out of the water by winding up the suspending chains or
hawsers until the vessel is careened to the required extent substantially as
described and in one form illustrated.
22
2nd. For the purpose of effecting such "careening" of ships and steamers the
use of apparatus comprising a steam launch (or launches) fitted with engines A, A
for propulsion, and revolving drums C, C₁ from which chains or hawsers O O¹ lead
to a weight indicator on the ends of the projecting beams or brackets L which are
secured to the vessel by straps or clasps M M and supported by struts N the steam
launch having tanks F F and JJ with means for filling and discharging them
when required the whole constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated by the drawings herewith.
T. J. DANSON, F. Inst. P.A.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle upon Tyne, Agent for Applicant.