A NEW SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING IRON SHIPS OF WAR, ETC., TO BE IMPERVIOUS TO SHOT, COMBINED WITH THE TRUE AND ONLY METHOD FOR PRODUCTION AND RESISTANCE OF RAM POWER
Year: 1870

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Beatty Lockyer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition on
the 9th December 1870.
I, EDMUND BEATTY LOCKYER, of Northern Offices, 75, Princes
Street, Edinburgh, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for "A NEW SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING IRON SHIPS OF WAR, ETC.,
TO BE IMPERVIOUS TO SHOT, COMBINED WITH THE TRUE AND ONLY METHOD FOR
PRODUCTION AND RESISTANCE OF RAM POWER," to be as follows:-
First. The secret of my Invention is in the observance of the laws of
convexity and concavity. For simple illustration I example the ends
of the egg, taken longitudinally and pressed fairly between the hands it
is not in the power of the strongest man to break it.
Second. I propose to observe this formation throughout my entire
tube or vessel. This while it involves great labour and amount of
material in construction, it will be perceived is easily arrived at by
mechanical means, and the crowning success far more than compensates
for cost and trouble, though these were vastly greater.
It must be argued that the ends of the egg can be broken readily if
a concussive blow or uneven pressure be applied instead of direct

page_text: convex and concave means.
I overcome this apparent difficulty by
adding an agency in metal to make up for deficiency, and this agency
is rendered more powerful for the purpose required by the observance
of the same rule in construction.
The great and beautiful reality consummated in this mode of con-
struction must be apparent to every profound thinker on solving the
problem. And that it carries with it a strict, indeed it may be truly
said, a faithful observance of the laws of gravity which serious reflection
must compel us to admit to be so necessary in all artificial great works,
per terram, and how much more necessary, per mare, has lately been
exhibited in the melancholy loss of "H.M.S. the Captain." This
great national calamity is one which policy dictates to every well
wisher of Great Britain to ponder over in silence, while it behoves all to
contemplate and seek the antidote for the disease. It must be felt in
British society that no time should be lost in seeking the remedy, and
the present alarming crisis must dictate to reigning authority the
necessity for giving every facility for warming into life the antidote for
that evil which otherwise must deprive this country of its eminent
position among nations.
I claim the entire right of the law of construction herein named
and sole power to carry out the same in any and all ways desired by me
for the purposes of constructing ships, boats, tubes, batteries, and other
craft, but particularly those for war purposes.
Further, I propose to construct such ships, boats, tubes, or rams,
batteries, and other craft with central space within such vessels, and it
may be here stated that this forms an important feature in this part of
my construction, and more particularly for floating batteries, and these
I briefly illustrate by calling attention to an orange deprived of its core
from top to bottom, with the exception of the orifices at top and bottom
as these expand, and gradually diminish towards the centre. This centre
has a metal stage or platform which opens in the middle, and when so
withdrawn, which can be accomplished by turning a key in connection
with steam power, in an instant exhibits a circular and considerable
expanse of water, into which if such staging or platform had some
hundreds of an enemy on it for boarding, these must fall helpless
into the sea without means of escape.
Further, under and beneath such platform or staging I propose
circular galleries, and these one above the other, and in proportion to

page_text: the size of my ship, tube, ram, or other craft will be the number of
them. The metal platform or staging when so open withdraws only so
far as the line of such galleries, by these means the crews of such craft
are protected in every way.
Further, below the lowest gallery I propose to float and in all weather
all my ship's boats, and these will be in still water, and will be hoisted
in and out, and for this purpose I employ my steam power if I feel
disposed, I must of course withdraw my staging on these occasions,
and all this can be done as easily as I now wield my pen.
In addition to the ordinary propelling powers, any of which I can
make available, I have the supreme advantage of having my motive
power also within my imperviously protected centre.
In reference to my attacking agencies I shall here say nothing, but
assert that I am in this department also prepared to surprise all military
and naval powers.
I conclude with the statement that it is impossible to perforate or
enter my numerous port holes, which are carried out and metal plugged
on the same principle.
My moorings are all within my centre and thereby unassailable, while
I admit that I have not given the whole of my invaluable discovery
I have said sufficient to exhibit the importance of all protection
and encouragement being awarded to me for construction, as herein
set forth.
"
The relevancy and value of the extra improvements and advantages
mentioned herein as desirable additional powers which can be brought
to bear on Lockyer's Invention as recorded, will be appreciated as
his desire to explain as fully as possible the extent to which it can be
developed.