Year: 1896

page_text: I, CHARLES DAVID DOXFORD of Pallion, Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Ship Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to vessels particularly those employed for passenger, or
cattle traffic, or both, in addition to ordinary cargo capacity. The invention
relates to that class of vessel invented by me, and now commonly known as "turret
deck" vessels, in which the sides of the hull are carried up a relatively short
distance only above the water line and are then projected inwards on both sides and
completed with a central structure or "turret" extending substantially for the
full length of the vessel. This type of vessel I originally designed for cargo
purposes only, the accommodation for the officers and seamen being provided in
suitable positions. I now find that I can utilize these vessels for the purposes of
carrying passengers, or cattle, or both, as well as cargo, this being a particularly
important development in view of the fact that these vessels have proved themselves
to be exceptionally steady in a sea-way. In my original designs the hull in cross
section showed reverse curves, the first connecting the side wall with a substan-
tially horizontal wall, and the second connecting the horizontal wall with a sub-
stantially vertical wall forming the side wall of the central structure or turret, and
the whole of this upper central space being in the hull or cargo space of the vessel
and adapted only for cargo purposes. In my present invention I form a deck
inside this structure at or about the level of the before mentioned horizontal wall
so that I obtain the whole of the space between the central side walls for
purposes of passengers, cattle, passage-ways or the like; I prefer to retain the
previously mentioned reverse curves in the present form as I regard that as quite
the best and most desirable form to adopt-nevertheless instead of curves I may
employ angles if desired.
The space thus utilized may extend the whole length of the vessel from bow to
stern or may be interrupted where necessary as for hatchways, boiler casings and
the like. The vessel constructed as thus far described will be suitable for
carrying a limited number of passengers or cattle and will have material advan-
tages over ordinary constructions as well as over the turret construction as at
present made.
In addition to the above and for further accommodation and as an improvement
I place one or more decks above the one last described and if desired these upper
decks may extend further out sideways than the one previously described, the
resulting superstructure. being carried upon the pedestal formed by the turret or
trunk.
The shape of the hull at or below the level of the weather deck provides the
necessary freedom for the water so that the upper decks even when projecting in
the manner described are not exposed to undue risk of being swept away. Each of
these upper decks may extend from bow to stern and be provided with all the

page_text: usual fittings such as cabins, passage-ways, saloons etc. or cattle pens as the case
may be.
Dated this 1st day of December 180
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, CHARLES DAVID DOXFORD of Pallion, Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Ship Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to vessels particularly those employed for passenger, or
cattle traffic, or both, in addition to ordinary cargo transportation. The invention.
relates to that class of vessel invented by me and now commonly known as "turret
deck" vessels, in which the sides of the hull are carried up a relatively short
distance only above the water line and are then projected inwards on both sides and
completed with a central structure or "turret" extending substantially for the
full length of the vessel. I have by considerable experiment and experience
ascertained that such vessels are capable of carrying superstructures of considerable
extent and weight extending over substantially the whole length of the vessel and
even consisting of several decks and that when properly arranged such super-
structares in no wise interfere with the stability of the vessels and in cousequence
I find that I can utilize these vessels for the purposes of carrying passengers or
cattle or both, as well as cargo, this being a particularly important development
in view of the fact that these vessels have proved themselves to be exceptionally
steady in a sea-way.
In my original designs the hull in cross section showed reverse curves, the first
connecting the side wall with a substantially horizontal wall hereinafter referred
to as the "weather deck," and the second connecting the weather deck with
substantially vertical wall forming the side wall of the central structure which
had a decked top (hereinafter referred to as the "turret deck ") the whole of the
space in this structure forming part of the hold or cargo space of the vessel, and
being adapted only for cargo purposes. The central structure constituted by the
aforesaid walls above the level of the weather deck and by the turret deck, is
commonly now termed the "turret," and in this specification and its appended
claims the same term is adopted to denote the structure thus formed.
I prefer to retain the previously-mentioned reverse curves in vessels constructed
according to this invention as I regard that form as the best and most desirable,
and as an addition I form a deck inside the turret at or about the level of the
before-mentioned weather deck, so that I obtain the whole of the space between
the side walls of the turret for the accommodation of passngers and for cattle and
for passage-ways or the like; preferably, though not necessarily the turret deck
would be retained as a cover to the space above the new deck.
The space thus utilized may extend the whole length of the vessel from bow to
stern, or may be interrupted where necessary as for hatchways, boiler-casings and
the like. The vessel constructed as thus far described will be suitable for carrying
a limited number of passengers or cattle and will have material advantages over
ordinary constructions as well as over the turret construction as at present made.
It is to be understood that the portions of the hold space below the weather-deck

page_text: level may be utilized in any manner desired, for instance for passengers or cargo,
or both or for water ballast, or for other uses.
In addition to the above mentioned deck within the turret and for further
accommodation and as an improvement I place one or more decks above the level
of the turret deck, or top of the turret, and if desired these upper decks may
extend further out sideways than the side walls of the turret, the resulting
superstructure being carried upon the pedestal formed by the turret.
In the specification of prior Letters Patent No. 16516 of 1891 granted to me
and relating to my original type of turret deck vessel I describe the provision of a
short deckhouse upon the turret deck; it is to be understood that the super-
structure carried on the turret according to the present invention is not a short
structure of the nature of a deck-house, but is one which extends fore and aft
substantially throughout the length of the vessel, so as to form an important
portion of the structure of the hull or body. The shape of the hull just above
the water line and at about the level of the weather deck provides a long fore and
aft indentation which gives the necessary freedom for the movement of seas upon
the weather deck, so that the superstructure even when projecting in the manner
described is never exposed to undue risk of damage, nor is the upper or awning
deck is likely, to be swept as in a vessel of ordinary construction. Each of the
decks may extend from bow to stern and he provided, with all the usual fittings
such as cabins, Jausage-ways, saloons, or cattle pens as required.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figures 1 to 9 represent transverse sections through different constructions of
the improved vessel, only the upper part of each such construction being shown,
ie. the part above the load water-line:
Figure 10 comprises two half-sections additional to the foregoing, one half;
section on each side of the vertical chain-line in the Figure;
Figure 11 is another half-section to illustrate a special lapped or outwardly-
curved overhang of the superstructure hereinafter referred to; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a vessel
such as is shown in cross-section in Figure 9.
Figure 13 is perspective view showing the external appearance of a vessel such
as is shown in cross-section in Figure 10.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The hull in cross section has at each side of the vessel reverse curves A, B, the
curve A connecting the side wall C with a substantially horizontal wall ie, the
weather deck 1), and the curve B connecting the horizontal wall D with a sub-
stantially vertical wall E forming one of the side walls of the central structure or
turret F, all us in the turret-deck vessels described in the specification of prior
Letters Patent No. 16516 of 1891. granted to me.
In my present invention as shown in Figure 1 I form a deck D insile the
turret at or about the level of the before-mentioned wall 1). The intor of
the turret F can be divided by walls or partitions F so as to provide spaces H for
passengers or cattle and, between these spaces, passages I within which latter
inay be provided another receptacle J or space for receiving fodder, or, in wi-le
vessels, for accommodating more passengers or cattle.
The parts or spaces indicated by the letters H, I and J may extend the whole
length of the vessel from bow to stern or nray he interrupted where necessary
as for hatchways, boiler casings and the like us indicated for example in Figure i,
where K represents a cargo hatch on the turret deck F, and K represents hat h
doors, hinged to the deck D' and adapted, when raised into their vertical positio
to form virtual continuations of the side walls or combings of the hatea K.
L represents the downcasts for conducting air into the holds G.
In Figure 1 the deck heams or girders d are bent upwards at their ends and
secured to the main frames at about the curves B, and in Figure 2, they extend
across the vessel and are secured to the main frames at the parts supporting the

page_text: before-described substantially-horizontal wall 1); in other respects Figure 2
differs from Figure 1 only as regards the provision (in Figure 2) of the internal
plating M which, carried upward as a continuation of the deck 1) forms a water-
tight wall or protection for passengers or car go below the deck D' against any
liquid which otherwise might drain down therefrom, and in conjunction with the
parts of the skin-plating forms an air-way N extending more or less
throughout the length of the vessel along the sides of the deck for ventilating
the latter and the hold G, the air circulating in the direction indicated by the
arrows.
In addition to the above, and for further accommodation as shown for example
in Figures 3 to 10, I place one or more decks above the before-described turret
deck F, these additional decks if desired, as shown in Figures 4 to 10 extending
sideways further out than the said turret deck, the turret under this construction
constituting as it were a pedestal for supporting the superstructure embodying the
additional decks, which extends throughout substantially the whole length of
the vessel.
In Figure 3 the construction up to the level of the turret deck F2 is the same as
that previously described in connection with Figure 2, but above this deck I
provide bulwarks O, hinged weather boards O¹, and a promenade or shade deck P;
this space is divided by walls or partitions F¹ so as to provide a second tier of
spaces H for passengers or cattle, and passages I, and other receptacles or parts J
for containing fodder or, in wide vessels for accommodating more passengers or
cattle.
The construction represented in Figure 4 up to the height of the turret deck F
is the same as that previously described with reference to Figure 1, and above that
deck it is similar to Figure 3 except as regards the promenade or shade deck P
which in Figure 4 is shown as projecting sideways further out beyond the
ulwarks 0 and weather boards O¹ than the corresponding deck of Figure 8.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 5 there is provided a third tier of spaces H
and passages I, the receptacles J common to both of the lower tiers being omitted
from this uppermost tier; this additional accommodation is enclosed by or con-
tained between the promenade deck P, vertical walls or plating Q and shade
deck P¹. Figure 6 resembles Figure 5 excepting that up to the turret deck
Figure 5 is constructed like Figure 1, and Figure 6 is constructed like Figure 2.
The construction shown in Figure 7 resembles that shown in Figure 5 the only
substantial difference bevond mere constructive details being that the plating()
is carried right up to the deck P¹ and instead of the outer portions of the deck P
being utilized for accommodating passengers or cattle as in Figure 5, they are
utilized as promenades R for passengers, these promenades being protected
at the outer sides by, or provided with, hand rails Q¹.
Figure 8 resembles Figure 6 in all except mere constructive details and the
manner of connecting the shade deck 1" with the vertical walls or plating Q these
parts being run into one another in a curve in Figure 8, instead of joining at an
angle as in Figure 6.
In Figure 9 I have shown an arrangement wherein four decks D¹ F2 P and P1
are provided as in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 and in which the two decks D F are
divided so as to form two tiers of spaces H for passengers or cattle and passages I
(the fodder or additional passenger or cattle spaces J being here omitted); the
deck P above these is divided so as to form passages I and state rooms S. Figure 9
also shows a "Temperley" cargo-transporter T, applied to my improved vessel, the
full lines showing it as when in operation and the dotted lines showing it as when
stowed or out of operation; this figure also represents in dotted lines the manner
of mounting the davits U and boats U so that the latter may be swung out clear
of the ship's sides C; the thwartship bulkheads extending partly across the ship
between decks, may extend alternately from opposite sides of the vessel; for
instance the bulkhead nearest the observer in the drawing extends from that side
of the ship which is at his left-hand and stops short at the right-hand alley-way I.

page_text: In Figure 10 I have represented a house and a bridge-deck V above the shade
deck P and also further state-rooms S between these two decks; in this arrange-
ment the turret deck 1 is shown as surmounted on one side in the drawing with a
flared or sloping wall 02 and on the other side with sloping bulwarks and
inclined stanchions to which are hinged weather-boards O part of the deck F³
and also both sides of the decks P and PI immediately above being used as
promenades R.
W Figure 10 is a deck provided in the hold G below the deck I previously
described.
The flared or sloping wall 02 and the sloping bulwarks in Figure 10 give the
overhand of the superstructure a lipped or outwardly curved form so that any
heavy sea coming on to the weather deck and rising up the curve B and skin
plating E of the turret would be deflected outboard by the overhang with little or
no shock to the vessel. The half section in Figure 11 illustrates a vessel in which
the lipped form of the overhang is more accentuated than in the preceding
example. The fore-and-aft indentation in the skin plating above the water line
produced by the reverse curves A B and by the overhang of the turret or the super-
structure may be of any desired curvature or form viewed in the transverse section
of the vessel and may be of the desired height. This indentation moreover pro-
tects the hurricane or upper decks and promenades from risk of being swept and
also minimizes the risk of damage to the superstructure by the force of the sea.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I make
no claim herein to the placing of an ordinary deck-house upon the deck of a turret
vessel in the manner such for instance as is indicated in the specification of prior
Letters Patent No. 16516 of 1891 granted to me, nor do I make any claim to the
utilization of a trunk cargo vessel with ordinary accommodation for crew and a
few spare cabins or a few cattle stalls as a passenger or cattle vessel, but that
where I employ in this specification and claims the terms "passenger vessel" or
"cattle vessel" I use them in their ordinary acceptance to indicate vessels intended
for the conveyance of a number, considerable in proportion to their tonnage, of
passengers and cattle or both and what I claim is :-
1. The combination with the hull of a vessel such as that described in my.
Specification 1651 of 1891 of a superstructure extending substantially the whole
length of the vessel and capable of carrying a considerable burden in passengers
cattle or cargo without interfering with the stability of the vessel substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
2. The combination with the hull of a vessel such as that described in my
Specification 16516 of 1891 of a superstructure consisting of two or more decks
carried upon the pedestal formed by the turret and preferably overhanging the
said pedestal and capable of carrying a considerable burden in passengers cattle or
cargo without interfering what the stability of the vessel substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 3 to 12 inclusive.
3. In the superstructure mentioned in Claim 2 hereof the overlapping or curved
sides 02 shown in Figures 10 and 11 substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 28th day of September 1897.
CHAS. D. DOXFORD.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant