IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS AFLOAT
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jorgen Christiansen Krogh, of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Master Mariner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS AFLOAT."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Jorgen Christianson Krogh at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd June 1879.
JORGEN CHRISTIANSEN KROGH, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Master
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS
Mariner.
AFLOAT."
The object of this Invention is to provide apparatus for cleaning or removing
incrustation or objectionable matter from the bottoms of ships or navigable vessels
when afloat, and the said apparatus is so constructed as to operate efficiently, and
be capable of being used with facility.
In carrying my Invention into practice, I make use of a scraper or scrapers,
brush or brushes attached to a framework or box, having an inclined surface piece
at the opposite side thereof to the said scraper or scrapers, brush or brushes. I
further fit the framework or box with a plate or plates free to move on an axis or
shaft at right angles, or nearly so, to the plane of the above mentioned scraper or
scrapers, brush or brushes. The said plate or plates is or are adjustable as to
position by means of ropes, chains, or connecting agents passing upwards to the
deck of the said ship or vessel.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-A rope or cord is attached thereto,
and held in position at the bow of the ship or navigable vessel, preferably by
passing through a block on the jib-boom. The apparatus is then passed overboard
and is pressed with the scraper or scrapers, brush or brushes, against the side of the
ship or vessel by the action of the water on the inclined surface piece above
mentioned. A falling and rising motion is given to the apparatus by adjusting the
angle or position of the movable plate or plates, so that the water shall act against
the upper or lower surface of the said plate or plates. I find that for efficient
action, the speed or flow of water, or the speed of motion of the ship, should be at
least three and a half knots per hour.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view of apparatus or appliances con-
structed under my Invention. The framework is composed of the side pieces 1,
connected and held at the proper distance apart by means of the bolts and nuts 2;
3, scrapers for which brushes might be substituted; 4, inclined surface piece; 5,
plate free to turn on the axis 6; 7, cords for adjusting the angle of the plate 5; 8,
rope for retaining the apparatus in position longitudinally. Fig. 3 is a view of a
ship or vessel showing the means of application. The rope 8 attached to the
apparatus and passing through the block 9 on the jib-boom serves to adjust the
position thereof as regards the length of the ship or vessel; 7, are cords for adjusting
the angle of the plate 5, the action of the water on which would, if the ship or
vessel were moving forward, cause the apparatus to descend as shown by the
arrows. If the angle of the said plate were reversed, the apparatus would rise.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,―
First. Apparatus for cleaning the bottoms of ships or navigable vessels afloat in
which the water acts on inclined surfaces, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes set forth.
Second. Apparatus for cleaning the bottoms of ships or navigable vessels afloat,
having an adjustable plate 5 operated by ropes or their equivalents 7, and acting
substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Third. Apparatus constructed substantially as above set forth in combination
with a rope or its equivalent 8, for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jorgen Christiansen Krogh, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
J. JOHNSON,
Patent Office,
4, Clayton Sq.,
Liverpool.
J. C. KROGH. (L.S.)