IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS OR VESSELS, SO AS TO DRIVE THEM AT A HIGH SPEED, AND IN INCREASING THEIR BUOYANCY, SO AS TO RENDER THEM LESS LIABLE TO SINK
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Allison, of the Firm of Allison Brothers,
Patent Agents, of 41, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS OR
VESSELS, SO AS TO DRIVE THEM AT A HIGH SPEED, AND IN INCREASING
THEIR BUOYANCY, SO AS TO RENDER THEM LESS LIABLE TO SINK." A com-
munication from abroad by Theodore G. Widmer, of the City of Boston, Mass.,
in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Allison at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th July 1881.
HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the Firm of Allison Brothers, Patent Agents, of
41, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS OR VESSELS, SO AS TO DRIVE THEM AT A HIGH
SPEED, AND IN INCREASING THEIR BUOYANCY, SO AS TO RENDER THEM LESS
LIABLE TO SINK." A communication from abroad by Theodore G. Widmer, of the
City of Boston, Mass., in the United States of America.
This relates to improvements in propelling ships or vessels, so that their speed
may be greatly increased, and at the same time the propellers themselves form an
additional security against the possibility of the ship sinking, and further increase
the stability or steadiness of the ship or vessel in rough weather.
On both sides of the vessel are arranged one or more floats, which constitute the
main feature of the Invention. They are mounted preferably one on either end of
a shaft passing transversely through the vessel, and driven by any suitable means
from a steam or other motor so as to cause the floats to revolve. If desired the
floats may be mounted each on a separate shaft, and actuated in any suitable
inanner.
These floats consist of a casing of any suitable form made perfectly watertight and
divided into a number of separate watertight compartiments, the outer surface
being fitted with paddles or blades of any suitable form and construction.

page_text: The floats would be arranged at such a height of the vessel as to bear a part of
the weight of the cargo, their floatability increasing with the weight of the cargo,
in consequence of the watertight compartments becoming more submerged.
It will thus be seen that the floats on both sides of the vessel will greatly
increase its stability or steadiness, and thereby allow the width of the vessel to be
made much less than the ordinary scale of other ships, thus preventing the immense
jar a wider vessel would sustain when driven at a high speed, and consequently
allowing vessels fitted with the floats above described to be driven at a greatly
increased speed.
The floats will also, by reason of the watertight compartments forming air
chambers, greatly increase the buoyancy of the vessel, and lessen to a great extent
the possibility of the vessel sinking.
If required, two or a greater number of pairs of these floats could be arranged
one behind the other on both sides of the vessel.
The form of the watertight casing of the float may be varied according to the
requirements; as, for example, for ocean going ships or vessels it would preferably
be either in the form of two cones united at their bases, or in the form of two
segments of spheres united at their edges, the paddles or blades in each case being
suitably formed and arranged around their largest diameter. For river ships or
vessels the casing of the floats might be made cylindrical, and the paddles or blades
arranged around its periphery.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Allison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th January 1882.
"
HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the Firm of Allison Brothers, Patent Agents, of
41, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS OR VESSELS, SO AS TO DRIVE THEM AT A HIGH
SPEED, AND IN INCREASING THEIR BUOYANCY, SO AS TO RENDER THEM LESS
LIABLE TO SINK." A communication from abroad by Theodore G. Widmer, of the
City of Boston, Mass., in the United States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in propelling ships or vessels, so that
their speed may be greatly increased, and at the same time the propellers
themselves form an additional security against the possibility of the ship sinking,
and further increase the stability or steadiness of the ship or vessel in rough
weather.
On both sides of the vessel are arranged one or more floats which constitute the
main feature of the Invention. They are mounted preferably one on either end of
a shaft passing transversely through the vessel, and driven by any suitable means
from a steam or other motor, so as to cause the float to revolve. If desired the
floats may be mounted each on a separate shaft and actuated in any suitable
manner.
These floats consist of a casing of any suitable form made perfectly watertight,
and divided into a number of separate watertight compartments, the outer surface
being fitted with paddles or blades of any suitable form and construction.
The floats would be arranged at such a height of the vessel as to bear a part of
the weight of the cargo, their floatability increasing with the weight of the cargo,
in consequence of the watertight compartments becoming more submerged.
It will thus be seen that the floats on both sides of the vessel will greatly
increase its stability or steadiness, and thereby allow the width of the vessel to be
nade much less than the ordinary scale of other ships, thus preventing the immense
jar a wider vessel would sustain when driven at a high speed, and consequently
allowing vessels fitted with the floats above described to be driven at a greatly
increased speed.
The floats will also by reason of the watertight compartments forming air
chambers greatly increase the buoyancy of the vessel, and lessen to a great extent
the possibility of the vessel sinking.
If required two or a greater number of pairs of these floats could be arranged
one behind the other on both sides of the vessel.
The form of the watertight casing of the float may be varied according to the
requirements; as, for example, for ocean going ships or vessels, it would preferably
be either in the form of two cones united at their bases, or in the form of two
segments of spheres united at their edges, the paddles or blades in each case being
suitably formed and arranged around their largest diameter. Or instead of double
conical or spherical floats being employed, they may be made single with their flat
bases placed inwards towards the sides of the vessel.
A ring or keel may be made to project round the casing at the largest diameter.
Manholes may be made in the watertight floats to admit persons to the interior
in case repairs are needed.
A protecting box or case is used for that part of the float above the water.
In the case of two or more floats being used on each side of the vessel, between
the floats on both sides is an outer shell forming air chambers or watertight
compartments. They project from the body of the vessel to the extent of the
width of the floats.

page_text: .
But in order that this said Invention may be more clearly understood, I will
proceed to describe the same by the aid of the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, in
which Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section, and Fig. 2 an end elevation
partly in section of a float formed by two segments of spheres united at their edges.
A is the casing made perfectly watertight, and divided into a number of separate
watertight compartments B by the partitions C, the outer surface of the float being
fitted with paddles or blades D of any suitable construction; E is the shaft upon
which the float is mounted; F shows in broken lines a ring or keel projecting
round the casing at the largest diameter. The paddles or blades D are shown on
one segment arranged opposite the spaces between the paddles or blades on the
other segment, but they may be arranged opposite each other..
•
Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a float formed by two cones united at their bases.
The general arrangement of float is the same as that above described. The paddles
or blades D are however shown arranged opposite each other in both cones.
Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a float formed of a single segment of a sphere, the
flat base G being placed inwards towards the side of the vessel.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a float formed of a single cone, the flat base G being
placed inwards towards the side of the vessel.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a vessel showing the arrangement of several floats
on each side; H are air chambers or watertight compartments.
Fig. 7 is a transverse section through a vessel showing the application of floats
formed of a single segment of a sphere, the flat base G being placed inwards towards
the side of the vessel; Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the vessel through an air
chamber H.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section through a vessel showing the application of floats
formed of two segments of spheres united at their edges.
Fig. 10 is a transverse section through a vessel showing on the left hand of the
centre line the application of floats formed of a single cone, the flat base G being
_ placed inwards towards the side of the vessel. It also shows on the right hand of
the centre line the application of floats formed of double cones connected together
at their bases.
In Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, I represents the protecting box or case placed over
that part of the float above the water.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is,―
The use or employment of one or more revolving floats on each side of the
vessel, which floats consist of a casing of any suitable form made perfectly.
watertight, and divided into a number of separate watertight compartments, the
outer surface being fitted with paddles or blades of any suitable form and
construction, as and for the purposes herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Allison, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HERBERT J. ALLISON. (L.S.)