IMPROVE- MENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Woodbine Cloete and William Patrick Churchward, both
of 3, Clement's Lane, in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME."
Sealed the 27th Aument 1070
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Woodbine Cloete and William
Patrick Churchward at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
2nd March 1878.
WOODBINE CLOETE and WILLIAM PATRICK CHURCHWARD, both of 3, Clement's
Lane, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS, AND IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME'
"
For propelling vessels we employ two screw propellers attached to shafts placed
one on each side and lengthwise of a vessel. The screws and shafts are received
in recessed channels formed in the ship's sides. These channels are open at the
bottom and on their outer side, and are carried up to within a short distance of
the water line, whilst above these channels the sides of the vessel may be formed
in the ordinary manner. The width and depth of the channels is greatest at their
centre, and they are gradually tapered off in wave line curves until they die away
at the bottom. The stern of the vessel may be of the same form as the bow, so
that she may be propelled in either direction. The screw shafts at their ends pass
into the interior of the vessel, and are driven by engines at one or both ends.
Separate engines are used for each shaft, so that the vessel may, by driving the
shafts at different speeds or in different directions, be steered or turned without the
aid of a rudder.
The central space of the vessel, i.e., between the channels and below the water
line, may be occupied by the boilers which are to supply steam for working the
engines
.

page_text: The screw shafts where they pass along the channels before mentioned are carried
in bearings enclosed in tubes, which project from where the shafts enter the vessel
to near the centre of the channels, and here the screw propellers are secured to
them. The tubes which protect and support the screw shaft are carried by brackets
from the sides of the channels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Woodbine Cloete and William Patrick Churchward in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 2nd September 1878.
WOODBINE CLOETE and WILLIAM PATRICK CHURCHWARD, both of 3, Clement's
Lane, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING VESSELS, AND IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME."
For propelling vessels we employ two screw propellers attached to shafts placed
one on each side and lengthwise of a vessel. The screws and shafts are received in
recessed channels formed in the ship's sides. These channels are open at the bottom
and on their outer side, and are carried up to within a short distance of the water
line, whilst above these channels the sides of the vessel may be formed in the
ordinary manner. The width and depth of the channels is greatest at their centre,
and they are gradually tapered off in wave line curves until they die away at the
bottom. The stern of the vessel may be of the same form as the bow, so that she
may be propelled in either direction. The screw shafts at their ends pass into the
interior of the vessel, and are driven by engines at one or both ends.
Separate engines are used for each shaft, so that the vessel may, by driving the
shafts at different speeds or in different directions, be steered or turned without the
aid of a rudder.
The central space of the vessel, i.e., between the channels and below the water
line, may be occupied by the boilers which are to supply steam for working the
engines.
The screw shafts where they pass along the channels before mentioned are carried
in bearings enclosed in tubes, which project from where the shafts enter the vessel
to near the centre of the channels, and here the screw propellers are secured to them.
The tubes which protect and support the screw shafts are carried by brackets from
the sides of the channels.
Figure 1 of the Drawings hereunto annexed shews a side view; Figure 2, a plan
view; and Figure 3, a transverse section of a vessel constructed to be propelled by
screw propellers in the manner above described.
A, A, are the channels formed on either side of the vessel; they are entirely open
at the bottom and on their outer side. The width and depth of the channels is
greatest at their centre, and they are gradually tapered off until they die away at
the bottom, as clearly shown by the Drawings. B, B, are the screw propellers;

page_text: C, C, are the tubes by which the propeller shafts are surrounded and supported;
D, D, are brackets to carry the tubes.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, we would have it understood that we claim the constructing and pro-
pelling vessels, substantially in the manner herein-before described, and illustrated
in the Drawing annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Woodbine Cloete, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WOODBINE CLOETE. (L.B.)