IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE CLEANSING, EXAMINATION, AND REPAIR OF THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Anderson, of Sheerness, in the County of
Kent, Captain of the Great Eastern Steam Ship, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE CLEANSING, EXAMINATION,
AND REPAIR OF THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES.”
Sealed the. 19th June 1866, and dated the 22nd December 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Anderson at the
"Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
December 1865.
I, JAMES ANDERSON, of Sheerness, in the County of Kent, Captain of the
Great Eastern Steam Ship, do hereby declare, the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE CLEANSING,
EXAMINATION, AND REPAIR OF THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED
STRUCTURES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing as hereafter described a flexible
frame or apparatus which, will adapt itself to the contour of the particular
part of the ship or other structure to be cleansed, examined, or repaired. My
frame or apparatus is constructed of horizontal ribs or bars, the ends of which
are bent at right angles or nearly so, and which are backed with planking,
metal, canvas, or other suitable material, the whole being connected in the

page_text: following manner, so as to form a flexible frame. Every section of the frame
carries at each end a quadrant-like plate, a portion of which overlaps the
quadrant-like plate on the next section, the two plates being connected to
each other by a pin or otherwise, so that the sections are free to turn inwards
or outwards. The joints of the sections or spaces between them are protected
by shields constructed of the same or other material, and carrying at each
end a plate fitted at right angles to the shield so as to embrace a portion of
reach of two adjoining quadrant-like plates. The plates on the shields are
formed with a vertical slot in which a pin on one of the quadrant plates rides,
moving therein according as the frame is bent to the contour of the ship.
I strengthen the apparatus inside by stays, which may be adjusted by screws
at their ends, the screws being turned as required to bring them against the
ship's bottom, and act as a bearing surface to support the centre of the
apparatus. Horizontal bars extend from these stays to the sides of the
apparatus.
My Invention also consists in facing the edges of the apparatus before-
described which come in contact with the ship, or the edges of similar
apparatus with a pliable spring belt composed of blocks of. wood, which aro
fitted at their back with springs; the blocks and springs are covered with
thrummed canvas, sheep skin, or other material, calculated to effect a water-
tight joint against the foul or irregular bottom of the ship. The apparatus is
further made secure by a waterproof covering of canvas or other material, and
I fit at the sides and bottom of such covering a pliable spring belt; this belt
is faced with thrummed canvas or other suitable material, and consists of a
row of springs fitted between blocks of wood; the outer blocks carry brackets
or frames extending back to about the level of the outer edge of the apparatus,
to which each bracket is connected by a rod or bar. Between the apparatus
and the belt at each side a wire rope is hauled taut round the ship's bottom,
and a rod at the bottom of the apparatus connects these two ropes which pass
through eyes near its ends; upon these wire ropes and this rod I fit sheaves,
and I fit a corresponding sheave to each of the rods or bars which connect
the belt to the flexible apparatus. These sheaves form pulleys, which being
hauled upon by ropes carried from the sheaves up to the deck cause the
spring belt and the flexible apparatus to adapt themselves to the contour
of the ship. Sometimes I form an independent water-tight joint of a
double row of springs and blocks arranged as above described, which may be
used as a spring belt in addition to those on the apparatus and on the
waterproof covering.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Anderson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd June 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES.
ANDERSON, of Sheerness, in the County of Kent, Captain of the Great Eastern
Steam Ship, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December, in the year of our.
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five,. in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Anderson, Her special licence, that I, the said James
Anderson, my executors, 'administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,.
the said James Anderson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and, Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE CLEANSING, EXAMINATION,
AND REPAIR OF THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Anderson, my.
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months, next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters, Patent.
I NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Anderson, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,,
that is to say—
·
My Invention consists in constructing as hereafter described a flexible
frame or apparatus which will adapt itself to the contour of the par-
ticular part of the ship or other, structure to be cleansed, examined, or
repaired.
My frame or apparatus is constructed of horizontal ribs or bars, the ends
of which are bent at right angles or nearly so, and which are backed with
planking, metal, canvas, or other suitable material, the whole being connected

page_text: in the following manner, so as to form a flexible frame:-Every section of
the frame carries at each end a quadrant-like plate, a portion of which over-
laps the quadrant-like plate on the next section, the two plates being
connected to each other by a pin or otherwise, so that the sections are free to
turn inwards or outwards. The joints of the sections. or spaces between them
are protected by shields constructed of the same or other material, and carrying
at each end a plate fitted at right angles to the shield so as to embrace a
portion of each of two adjoining quadrant-like plates. The plates on the shields
are formed with a vertical slot, in which a pin on one of the quadrant
plates rides, moving therein according as the frame is bent to the contour of
the ship. I strengthen the apparatus inside by stays, which may be adjusted
by screws at their ends, the screws being turned as required to bring.
them against the ship's. bottom and act as a bearing surface to support the
centre of the apparatus. Horizontal bars extend from these stays to the sides.
of the apparatus.
My Invention also consists in applying to the edges of the apparatus
before described, which come in contact with the ship or the edges of similar
apparatus, a pliable spring facing composed of blocks of wood, which are fitted.
at their back with springs; the blocks and springs are covered with thrummed
canvas, sheepskin, or other material calculated to effect a water-tight joint
against the foul or irregular bottom of the ship. The apparatus is further
made secure by a waterproof covering of canvas or other material, and
I fit at the sides and bottom of such covering a row of springs, which
may be fitted between blocks of wood or a row of blocks of wood; the
blocks may be faced with thrummed canvas or other suitable material; they
carry brackets or frames extending back to about the level of the outer edge
of the apparatus, to which each frame is connected by a rod or bar. Between
the apparatus and the row of blocks at each side a wire rope is hauled
taut round the ship's bottom, and a rod at the bottom of the apparatus connects
these two ropes, which pass through eyes near its ends; upon these wire ropes
and this rod I fit sheaves, and I fit a corresponding sheave to each of the
rods or bars which connect the blocks to the flexible apparatus. These
sheaves form pulleys, which being hauled upon by ropes carried from the
sheaves up to the deck cause the row of blocks and the flexible apparatus to
adapt themselves to the contour of the ship. Sometimes I form an independent
water-tight joint of a double row of springs fitted between blocks as aboye
described, which may be used in addition to those on the apparatus and on the
waterproof covering.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a perspective view shewing an

page_text: apparatus constructed according to my Invention applied to a ship's bottom';'
Figure 2 is a view of the inside of one section or portion of the apparatus ;`
Figure 8, a top view or plan; and Figure 4, a view of the outside of the same;'
Figure 5 is an exterior front view; Figure 6, a plan; and Figure 7, an end
view of one of the shields for protecting the joints of the sections, Figures 2, 3,
and 4, or the spaces between them,
A, A, are a series of horizontal ribs or bars which extend across the breadth
of the apparatus and are bent inwards at right angles, or nearly so, as shewn.
The ribs A are backed (by preference in pairs) with planking B, or in place
of this material metal, canvas, or other suitable substance, may be employed.
Each pair of ribs so backed forms what I have herein-before termed a section,
and a sufficient number of such sections are jointed together to form an
apparatus of the required depth for the object in view. Every section of the
apparatus carries at each end a quadrant-like plate C, which is bolted or
otherwise fastened to the ribs A. The lower part of each of the plates C
overlaps the upper portion of the next plate C which is fixed to the adjoining
section;
the two adjoining plates C are conneeted by a pin at D to admit of
the sections being free to turn inwards or outwards, so that the frame may be.
bent to the required form. The space between cach two adjoining backing plates
or sections B is covered and protected by a shield or secondary plate E which
overlaps and fits closely to the surface of the backing plates B. Each
shield E carries at each end a plate F, which is bent inwards so as to lie
parallel to the sides of the apparatus and overlap a portion of each of two
adjoining quadrant-like plates C. A hole is formed in the upper part of each
of the plates F, through which a pin or screw G is passed, which also passes
through one of the plates C. The plates F are also formed with a vertical
slot H in which a pin I on the other quadrant plate C, which the plate F
embraces, rides, moving therein according as the apparatus is bent to the
contour of the ship, that is to say, the pins I traverse the slots H, so that the
movable parts of the apparatus readily adapt themselves to the required form.
K, K, are stays which are fastened to the ribs A and extend inwards to the
ship, or nearly so; each stny is fitted with a threaded nut K¹, by which the
length of the stay is adjusted to resist the external pressure of the water on
the apparatus. In lieu of this arrangement the inner ends of the stays may
be flattened and bent at right angles to give a sufficient bearing surface.
L, L, are horizontal bars hinged or riveted to the stays K, and extending to
the sides of the ribs A. The lowermost of the sectious A has fixed to its
lower edge a horizontal plate which forms a bottom to the apparatus; M, M,
are blocks of wood, having fitted at their back springs M', which are secured.

page_text: either to a secondary block of wood or to flanges of the ribs A as shewn, so as
to form a pliable spring facing. The springs M¹ may, if desired, be dispensed
with. The blocks M are covered with thrummed canvas, sheepskin, or other.
material M", adapted for making a water-tight joint when brought into
contact with the foul or irregular bottom of the ship. The apparatus is
further made secure by a waterproof covering N of canvas. or other, material,.
shown in Figure 3. A hem is sewn in the canvas to admit of a rope N¹
being rose through it, and a sufficient margin or breadth of canvas is left,
beyond this hem to admit of a row of blocks of wood pressing it against the
vessel's bottom. This row of blocks of wood may be arranged as represented at O,
Figure 1, or there may be a row of springs as shewn in Figures 8, 9, and 10,.
and as hereafter described fitted between blocks of wood, or a row of springs,
as shown in Figure 11. Each block O, Figure 1, is jointed to the forked.
ends. P of a frame, by which the blocks 0 are connected in pairs. The
forks P are jointed to a rod or bar P₁, which connects them to a stud or
screw P on each of the backing plates B. Q, Q, are wire ropes which are
passed down between each side of the apparatus and the blocks O; these ropes
are carried under the ship's bottom and hauled taut; they are connected at
the bottom of the apparatus by a rod which extends across the bottom and is
formed with eyes for the ropes to pass through. S, S, are a series of sheaves
fitted to the wire ropes Q and to the rod last mentioned; T, T, are ropes, by
means of which the edges of the apparatus and the blocks Q are brought in
close contact with the covering N, and this latter forced into close contact with
the ship's side, so as to exclude effectually the water from the interior of the
apparatus. One end of each rope T is made fast to the wire rope or to
the rod at the bottom, and is carried over a sheave U fitted on each of the
rods P¹, then under two of the sheaves S, over the next of the sheaves U,
under the next of the sheaves S, and is then carried up to the deck where it
is made fast. In this way each rope T acts upon two pairs of the blocks O,
except at the bottom where two ropes produce the required pressure on three
pairs of blocks. I do not, however, confine myself to the particular arrange-
ment of the ropes T as they may be arranged in any manner found most
convenient for hauling on the sheaves S and U; or the blocks O may be
dispensed with, and an independent row of blocks substituted for it if required.
In this case, that is to say, when the blocks O are dispensed with I fit the
pulleys U to brackets fixed to the planking B. Eyes may be fixed in
the edges of the blocks O for the covering N to be fastened to, W, W, are
pulleys which are hooked to the looped ends of the wire ropes; Q and W¹
are ropes passing through the pulleys and carried up on deck to haul

page_text: the wire ropes Q taut; X, X, are pulleys hooked to eyes formed on the
inside of the upper plates B; X', X³, are ropes passing through the:
pulleys to lower the apparatus over the ship's side. In the modified.
arrangement represented in Figure 1.1 the blocks O are kept pressed against:
the waterproof covering by spiral springs which are fitted between the
blocks and the rods or bars P, and are kept in position by
central rods P." ; or instead of spiral springs, bracket-shaped springs.
connected to the sides of the flexible apparatus may be employed to
press upon the blocks O, or upon the waterproof covering. When:
the apparatus is placed in-position and properly adapted to the contour of the
vessel, the water contained within the apparatus is pumped out and the men
can then descend within the apparatus to examine, clean, or repair the vessel.:
After the portion of the vessel thus exposed has been cleaned or otherwise
acted upon, the apparatus is shifted to another part, and so on over the whole
surface, sometimes I form an independent water-tight joint between the
canvas covering of the apparatus and the vessel's bottom which may be used
in addition to the rows of blocks M. and O, Figure 1, or either of them..
This independent joint is constructed as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10. 0, 0¹,
are two rows of springs fitted between blocks of wood 0, 0%. The inner.
blocks O are faced with thrummed canvas or other material, and the outer.
blocks are connected to each other in pairs by connecting pieces O³,
between each pair of blocks a pulley U is fitted over which a rope T, leading:
from a wire rope Q carried round the vessel, is passed and led up to the;
deck for the purpose of being hauled taut as before described. S, S, are the.
sheaves on the wire rope, and, T is the rope by which the blocks are forcibly
pressed against the canvas M", the rope passes under the sheaves S and over
the sheaves Uso as to make taut as many pairs of blocks as may be connected.
in this way. I prefer to arrange the parts of the apparatus so that they.
may be packed into a comparatively small space and be readily put together
when required. For this purpose the ribs A may be jointed at the anglès.
at A (see Figure 12) to admit of their ends being turned inwards together.
with the quadrant plates C so as to lie closely upon the backing B. When,
the apparatus is put together the ribs A may be strengthened at each
joint by the insertion of knee pieces.A". The stays K, K, may likewise be.
jointed to the ribs so as 'to lie flat, when not in use, and the horizontal.
bars L, L, may be connected by screws to the stays K and, be screwed into
the knee pieces A". The sheaves S, S, instead of being fixed singly to the.1
wire rope may be connected in pairs to a rib or strap-jointed at each end to.
à shorter strap having an eye-formed in it to connect it to the wire ropu Q.,

page_text: Figure 13 is an exterior perspective view showing the apparatus arranged
so as to be flexible horizontally. This apparatus is constructed substantially
as before described, the main differences being that the ribs, backing pieces,
and shields are fitted vertically instead of horizontally, that they are of arched
or curved form for their entire length, and are made of sufficient thinness to
be flexible, and that the quadrant-like plates are fitted at the ends of the
apparatus instead of at the sides, being really in the same position as before.
a, a, are the backing plates of the ribs; these plates have slots 6 formed in
them at the central part, extending horizontally between the ribs. The space
between each pair of plates a is covered by a second curved backing plate
or shield c, each of which carries at the centre two hooked pieces & bent
inwards, and each passed through one of the slots 6 in the two adjoining
plates a, so as to connect the whole series of backing plates a and c together.
There are horizontal stays as in the apparatus before described; e, e, are
the plates which enclose the ends of the apparatus in a similar manner to the
quadrant-like plates herein-before described, they are formed with portions e¹
bent at right angles to lie against the ship's bottom. These portions e¹ are
faced with thrummed canvas or other similar material, or they may have a
spring facing fitted thereto. Rectangular openings are formed in some of
the plates a, which openings are fitted with guards f extending above the
surface of the water. These openings serve to pump out the water, and
then to admit workmen into the apparatus as well as for passing down tools,
plates, or other materials as required; they also serve to ventilate the appa-
ratus. 9, 9, are sight holes in the shields or plates a, they may be fitted
with glass or other transparent material; h, h, are horizontal rods fixed to
the plates e, and supported by curved bars i. The rods h, h, carry at their
outer ends sheaves j, j, through which ropes k, k, are rove and carried under
the vessel and up on deck, where they are made fast, so that the vertical
edges of the apparatus are pressed in close contact with the bottom of the
ship. The apparatus is covered when in use by a waterproof covering,
which is made to fit. round the guards f; l, l, are brackets which are fitted
outside the waterproof canvas and carry sheaves m, m; n, n, are ropes
passed over the sheaves mand round the vessel, and when hauled taut serving
to press the longitudinal edges of the apparatus in contact with the ship; r, r,
are blocks or eyes for lowering the apparatus and drawing it into position.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my "Improve-
ments in Apparatus to Facilitate the Cleansing, Examination, and Repair
of the Bottoms of Ships and other Submerged Structures, "—

page_text: First, constructing, substantially in the manner herein-before described and
represented in the accompanying Drawings, a flexible frame or apparatus
which will adapt itself to the contour of the particular part of the ship or
other structure to be cleansed, examined, or repaired.
Second, applying to the edges of such or similar apparatus which come
in contact with the ship a pliable spring facing, constructed substantially
in the manner herein-before described and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
Third, an arrangement or arrangements of blocks caused to press at
different independent points upon the sides and bottom of the waterproof
covering of such or similar apparatus, so as to keep the said covering tight
and close against the ship or other structure, substantially in the manner
herein-before described and represented in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth, fitting outside the flexible apparatus a series or row of springs
for the purpose of pressing upon the sides and bottom of the waterproof
covering, or upon the blocks last mentioned, so as to keep the waterproof
covering tight and close against the ship or other structure, substantially
in the manner herein-before described and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifth, arranging sheaves and ropes in such manner as to cause the flexible
apparatus, and the arrangement or arrangements of blocks, or either of them,
to adapt themselves to the contour of and press firmly against the ship or
other structure, substantially as herein-before described and represented in
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Anderson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-six.
JAMES ANDERSON. (L.B.)