Improvements in Ships' Hulls.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application 23rd Feb., 1895-Accepted, 30th Mar., 1890
[Communicated from abroad by ALFRED CHRISTENSEN, of 37, Amaliegade,
Copenhagen, in the Kingdom of Denmark, Merchant.]
Improvements in Ships' Hulls.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to ships' hulls and consists in an improved construction
thereof, which, while it enables the vessel, as it advances, to reduce to a minimum
the air-and-water resistance which it encounters, is not to any appreciable extent
affected by the pressure or weight of the seas, and is capable of holding, and
carrying by water, heavier loads or cargoes than craft of the same size has been
adapted to hold and to carry hitherto, in doing which it necessitates a comparatively
small expenditure of power; a further feature of the improved structure being that
it is not so apt, as vessels have generally been up to the present time, to be tossed
about by the seas or waves. This combined result is attained by so constructing
the ship's hull that its sectional area, except at the stem and stern-post (which
are reduced in width and rounded off in the usual way) assumes an elliptical or
oval shape.
When the ship is loaded, the greater part of the hull, constructed in this manner,
is under. water. Towards the fore and stern, structures are erected, which may be
used as cabins or the like, and also as a foot-bridge, for the crew to perform their
duties on.
A further, narrower structure extends throughout the length of the
vessel between the fore and stern posts, in which are formed the hatchways, as well
as a means of communication between the bow and stern, and a convenient passage
for the crew.
It will thus be seen that the present invention bears an apparent similarity to
what are termed "whaleback" or "turret" ships, from which however it distinctly
differs in the shape of both the lower structure, or hull proper, and the longitudinal
upper structure.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ship's hull constructed in accordance with this
invention;
Figure 3 is a cross section thereof on line a-b Figure 1; and
Figure 2 is a top view or' plan thereof.
The peculiar feature of this improved ship's hull is, firstly, its shape in section,
which may be either oval or elliptical, the longitudinal axis of the ellipse or oval
figure being at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ship's body, and the hull
proper of the ship being accordingly wider than it is deep, i.e. of a flattened shape
capable of opposing a very powerful resistance to heavy seas.
The fact that all parts of this hull are rounded off is calculated, on the other
hand, to reduce the resistance of the water to the progress of the ship; while,
inasmuch as a small part only of the ship's body emerges from the water, the
resistance of the air, which it has to overcome, is also materially reduced.

page_text: In the drawings D is the hull and C the vertical sides of the first or main
longitudinal structure which, in its turn, is arranged, to carry a narrow foot-bridge,
enclosed inwardly between the vertical sides or walls D of the remaining or
secondary longitudinal structures erected on the hull; these latter structures
forming the between-decks and hatchways the lids A of which consist of iron plates
extending over the whole width of the hatchways. d is a single or independently
erected support, (frame or trestle) situated at the upper edge of the oval, some
distance further outwards than the vertical wall C.
Whilst the ship is moored in the harbour for lading or unlading, the hatchway
lids or plates A should be removed and placed over the foot-bridge and the said
support or trestle d, when they will form a convenient means of communication
between the said foot-bridge E and a wider deck e provided in the position
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3 for the passage of the men employed in
unlading or lading. The sharp edges formed by the converging vertical walls B C
and horizontal decks A E serve as sea-breakers, while the complete structure,
including the said walls or sides B and C and decks A and E, is calculated
immediately to repel any seas which may be hurled over it without affording them
an opportunity of forcing the vessel lower down into the water.
It will be understood that, if desired, the immersed portion of the hull may, at
different parts be fitted with "sling" or drop keels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A ship's hull of oval or elliptical shape in section, its greatest width lying in
the horizontal plane, so that the hull is wider than it is deep.
2. In the ship's hull, such as referred to in the first claim, a longitudinal
deck-structure consisting of vertical or nearly vertical sides B and C and horizontal
decks A and E, adapted to be utilised as sea-breakers and also to connect the
deck E with supports d, thereby constituting a removable deck e for use by
dock-labourers and employees.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..