AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PUNT
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I, GEORGE JOHN TAGG, of the firm of T. G. Tagg & Son, of the Island Boat
Building Works, East Moulsey, in the County of Surrey, Boat and Steam Launch
Builders, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF PUNT," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is the introduction of an improved construction of
punt, and relates to the method of constructing the hull of the punt and fitting it
with an improved stern keel.
In building my improved punt I make the inner skin of diagonal pieces of
timber, mahogany being used in the best types, suitably joined together, and all
raking forward at an angle of about 45° with the water. In a punt about 25 feet
long these pieces are about 4 in. wide x 16 inch thick.
The improved method of joining the sections of a canoe described in my
Specification N° 14624 dated 5th November 1884 may be advantageously applied
to making the seams of my improved punt.
I place a layer of canvas over the inner skin when the latter is complete, and
then proceed to fix the outer skin, each half of which is preferably in one piece and
about 1 inch thick according to the length of the punt.
10
The top of the inner and outer skins are rebated into or embraced by a gunwale
or top side of suitable section, preferably of teak, running in one length on each
side from stem to stern.
The main timbers are fixed diagonally but raking aft at an angle of about 60°.
They consequently cross the diagonal timbers of which the inner skin is built up,
and which are fastened through the main timbers.
The main timbers in a punt of about 25 feet long built according to my invention
are about 18 inches apart.
When my improved punts are to be rowed I provide them with rowlocks of a
suitable kind preferably the same as those described and illustrated in my before
mentioned specification N° 14624 A.D. 1884.
As my improved punt is constructed of parts of equal dimensions e.g. the timbers
forming the inside skin are of the same thickness and shape as are the timbers
forming the outer skin, it will be within the capacity of any ordinary individual
to erect one after receiving it packed in parts for convenience in transit, and
properly numbered to assist in erection. The task of putting the punt together is
greatly facilitated by the several parts forming one main portion, c.g. one inside

page_text: skin is exactly the same except as regards length, and cut to the same angle, and
these with the outer skin both entering or being embraced by the gunwale, the
shape of the hull is easily secured in the act of putting it together, and the next
step, that of laying down and connecting the bottom is thereby rendered easy.
For keeping my improved punt steady in the water I fix a circular keel or disc
under the stern. This disc has a rectangular opening cut through its centre
through which the cross bar which carries it passes. This opening being longer
from top to bottom than wide, allows of the keel rising when it comes into contact
with any obstacle, such as a stone.
It will be obvious that in punts, more especially those known as mahogany
punts, of my improved construction, great strength as well as lightness will be
secured, and an absence of that twisting movement so often felt in punts of light
construction. It will be seen also that my improved punt will go much straighter
than those at present in use owing to the application of my automatic keel.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, GEORGE JOHN TAGG, of the firm of T. G. Tagg & Son, of the Island Boat
Building Works, East Moulsey, in the County of Surrey Boat & Steam Launch
Builders do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF PUNT," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The object of my invention is the introduction of an improved construction of
punt and relates more particularly to the method of constructing the bull of the
punt, and fitting it with or without an improved stern automatic disc centre plate.
In order that my invention and the means by which the same can be carried into
practical effect may be thoroughly understood, I will proceed to describe the same
in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying figures which are to be taken
as part of this specification, and read therewith, and in which the same parts are
marked throughout the figures in which they occur with the same reference letter.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my invention, having part of the side broken away to
shew more clearly the system of construction.
Fig. 2 is also an elevation of a punt made according to my invention,. with
panelled sides substituted.
Fig 3 illustrates my improved keel.
In constructing a punt according to my present invention I make the inner skin
of diagonal timbers, A, which are joined together at their sides in any convenient
way. These are all cut with a forward rake of about 45° with the horizon. This
angle may be varied to some extent as circumstances may suggest. In hand punts
of the best type, I prefer mahogany for these diagonal pieces, their width and
thickness depending upon the size of the punt. In one of a length of about
25 feet, and about 4 feet broad, they are about four inches wide and 5/10 inch
thick.
Although the joining of these diagonal pieces, described above as constituting
the inner skin of my improved punt, may be effected in any convenient or suitable
way which may suggest itself or be known to punt builders, I would have it
known that the improved system of joining the sections of a canoe, described and
illustrated in my specification No 14624 of A.D. 1884, may be used with great
advantage in the construction of a river hand punt.
The main timbers, B, are fixed diagonally, and with a rake aft of about 60° with
the horizon. They will consequently receive the timbers constituting the inner
skin at an angle, (as illustrated in the figures), and which are fastened to the main
timbers direct. The distance at which these main timbers are fixed apart is
variable, according to the size of the punt. In one built according to my invention
of a length of about 25 feet, they should be about 18 inches apart. It will be
obvious that in the construction of heavier punts, such as those used in the con-
struction of house boats and the like, the dimensions and thicknesses will vary in
the greatest degree. I find that, in a punt say 60 feet long and 20 feet broad,
the most suitable dimensions are about 6 or 9 inches wide, and 1 inch to
11, inch thick,

page_text: •
When the inner skin has been laid as described above, it may be covered from
end to end with a layer of canvas, C, and the punt is then ready to receive the
outer skin D.
Each half of this outer skin is preferably cut in one piece, although not neces-
sarily so. I find that /18 of an inch, for say a 25 feet punt is a proper thickness,
but may of course.be increased or decreased according to the length of the punt.
The tops of the inner and outer skins are rebated into, or embraced by, a
gunwale or topside, E, of a suitable section. Each gunwale is cut in one length
and extends the entire length of the punt. I find that teak is the best material to
use in making the gunwales, and much superior to iron.
When these punts are intended to be rowed, I provide them with rowlocks of a
suitable kind. I prefer to use the rowlock described and illustrated in my
specification Nº 14624 of A.D. 1884, referred to above.
Inasmuch as my improved punt is constructed of parts of equal dimensions, e.g;
the timbers forming an inside skin are of the same thickness, and when joined
together possess the same shape and area as the corresponding outer skin, it will be
within the capacity of any ordinary individual to put together a punt, made
according to this invention, after receiving it from the maker, separated into its
several parts for convenience in transit, but which would be, as a matter of course,
numbered to facilitate the task of rebuilding.
The task of rebuilding is rendered comparatively easy by the diagonals forming
one inside skin being all of the same width and thickness and cut with the same
rake, and the sides of the punt being counterparts of each other, and as both skins,
with the intermediate layer of canvas, are embraced by the gunwale, the shape of
the hull is easily got, and the next step, viz; laying down and connecting the
bottom to the hull, thereby rendered easy.
For keeping my improved punt steady in the water, may fix a disc, or circular
keel, under the stern. It has a hole. formed in it through which a cross bar, f¹,
passes from one side of the keel box, G, to the other. This cross bar may be either
round or square, round with a circular keel, and square with an elliptical keel to
keep the latter as deep in the water as possible. This keel and its accessories are
made of phosphor bronze or any other suitable material. The vertical length of
the hole allows of the keel rising in its box to clear any obstacle such as a stone
with which it may come into contact.
I do not confine myself to a circular disc inasmuch as an elliptical or other shape
disc may be used although I prefer a keel of a circular shape as being more
symmetrical.
It will be obvious that in punts made according to my invention, more especially
in the case of those known as mahogany punts, great strength and lightness will be
secured, as well as an absence of that twisting motion so often experienced in punts
of light build. And the use of my improved keel will keep a punt much more
level in the water as well as make her
go straighter.
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 what
I claim is
1. In punt building, making the inner skin of diagonal timbers crossing the
main timbers, and covered by a layer of canvas or equivalent material, followed by
the outer skin; substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
figures.
2. In a punt of the hereinbefore described construction, making the two sides of
the inner skin of the punt, of diagonal shape timbers, all of the same width and
thickness, to facilitate the building or rebuilding of the punt; in combination with
the outer skin, in two or more pieces, serving as guides or templates for such
building or rebuilding, substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying figures.
+

page_text: 3. In a punt, the combination of inner and outer skin and gunwale or topside to
receive the same, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Sgures.
4. The combination of disc and vertical hole, producing a punt keel, substantially
as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of April 1885.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.