IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS, MERCHANDISE, FISH, CATTLE, IRON, WINE, AND CARGO OF ALL KINDS AT SEA AND IN RIVERS, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE IN PART FOR WAR AND OTHER SHIPS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Francis Campbell, of Great Plum-
stead, in the County of Norfolk, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS FOR CARRYING
PASSENGERS, MERCHANDISE, FISH, CATTLE, IRON, WINE, AND CARGO OF ALL
KINDS AT SEA AND IN RIVERS, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE IN
PART FOR WAR AND OTHER SHIPS."
Sealed the 26th February 1869, and dated the 17th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Francis
Campbell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th September 1868.
I, ALEXANDER FRANCIS CAMPBELL, of Great Plumstead, in the
County of Norfolk, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS FOR
CARRYING PASSENGERS, MERCHANDISE, FISH, CATTLE, IRON, WINE, AND CARGO
OF ALL KINDS AT SEA AND IN RIVERS, SUCHE IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
IN PART FOR WAR AND OTHER SHIPS," to be as follows:-
The principle and objects of the Invention are the severance of the
motive power in one vessel P from the cargo capacity in another

page_text: vessel C in tow by a suitable rope or chain, whereby the safety of
either vessel may be insured in case of accident to one by disconnecting
the tow rope between the two vessels. The motive power vessel P
may be used to tow successively several cargo vessels C, the motive
vessel P being at work whilst the cargo vessels are being loaded or
unloaded so as thereby to diminish the cost of freight and machinery,
loss of interest on value of machinery out of use; and to reduce the
expenses with efficience and a less number of crew comparatively,
whereby more fuel may be carried for long voyages at sea.
In order that the nature of my Invention may be clearly described
and illustrated I append to this Provisional Specification two Sheets
of Drawings, numbered I. and II., having figures and letters of reference
marked thereupon, the like letters being used to denote similar or
corresponding parts in each Figure, and I now proceed to describe my
Invention with reference to these Drawings.
My Invention consists in the severence of vessels for cargo purposes
in two distinct vessels, one P constructed and fitted with steam or other
motive-power engines, with rudder, and built so that the available space
beside that necessary for the crew, passengers, and light packages is
devoted mainly to the stowage of the fuel to produce the power, and
the other vessel constructed so that nearly its whole space can be
devoted to purposes of cargo or passengers, live or dead stock, ice, fish,
merchandise, iron, wine, or cargo of all kinds, this second vessel being
adapted by internal arrangements for the particular trade in which
it is to be employed, and being unsinkable when hermetically closed
on deck and otherwise for the cargo for voyages at sea from port to
port.
In the Drawings, Figure 1 is the sheer plan of the power vessel P
Figure 2, the body plan; Figure 3, the half breadth plan, and Figure 4
a plan showing the whole space available for machinery, fuel, and cabin
for crew. Figure 5 is the sheer plan of the cargo vessel C; Figure G,
the body plan; Figure 7, the half-breadth plan; Figure 8 a plan
showing the arrangement of the cargo vessel C. Figures 9 and 10 show
the power vessel P and cargo vessel connected by a tow rope or chain
in the manner I propose to use them. In the cargo vessel C I place
two small cabins one a in the bow, and one a¹ aft. The bov cabin
with water-tight bulkheads to be used as a store, and the after cabin
as a living cabin. The cargo vessel may be built and fitted with a

page_text: rudder fore and aft for steering either way. I prefer the vessels
of iron with flat floors so as to be buoyant and draw little water
comparatively. Except in the case of cattle, fish, and other vessels
requiring air in the hold I would secure the hold between port and
port by hatches c, c, c, or otherwise to be air and water tight. I
propose in some winds aft to use masts and sails in the cargo vessels C;
the masts d (on balance) to be lowered at will into the position as shown
at d'. I prefer square sails with these masts in sailing with the wind.
The principle of my Invention can be applied for war ships, the
crew, heavy guns, ammunition, and stores being placed in the cargo
vessel C, with turrets or broadsides, and the traction power in the towing
vessel P.
I propose to use apparatus for instantaneously disengaging or dis-
connecting the rope from the motive-power vessel P from the cargo
vessel C. This may be effected by means known to sailors and others,
or by a compressor for gripping the tow rope or chain, coasisting of a
long tube in two halves hinged together so that it can receive the rope or
chain, and is provided with a lever and detent or otherwise for securing it
firmly by friction on the rope or chain. Or the compressor may be of the
description shown in the Drawing, Sheet II. Figure 11 is an elevation
of this compressor, Figure 12 is an end view, and Figure 13 a plan. The
cable e passes through or between a cap f and block 9 of metal
lined with wood, as shown in Figure 12. A certain amount of play
is allowed between the cap and block, so that the amount of pressure
upon the cable can be regulated. This is done by means of a rope
led round sheaves placed alternately in the cap and block on either
side of the cable. The ends i being made fast, the rope is hove taut
by a sheave on the lever which acts on the bight of the rope. With
the lever in the horizontal position as shown the cable is secured. To
release the cable or regulate the pressure thereon the lever is moved
upwards towards the vertical position.
'The
Life boats may be carried on the closed deck of cargo vessel C.
tow rope or a rope attached may contain or carry one or more electric
wires leading to batteries in the separate vessels for comciunication.
The cargo vessel may be used to carry electric cables for paying the
cable out at sea, offering great advantages over the means employed in
the Great Eastern across the Atlantic, where the steam power and
cable where in one large vessel, not in two vessels as herein proposed.

page_text: Electric cables may be laid on my plan, as, for example, from the
Land's End to Bermuda by means of the new iron floating dock. I
propose that the cables be wound on an axle shaft or drum placed
horizontally or vertically in the hold of the ship. The shaft to be in
such bearings that it may be lifted to have flanches, and to be provided
with breaks at the flanches. This manner of laying electric cables will
be readily understood by reference to Sheet No. II. in the Drawings,
in which Figure 14 is a plan of a cargo vessel C with the electric cable
wound on the drum. Figure 15 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 16
a transverse section of the same vessel. The cable e is shown passing
out aft through one of my compressors and thence over what is for the
time being the stern of vessel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Francis Campbell in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 16th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
FRANCIS CAMPBELL, of Great Plumstead, in the County of Norfolk,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in
the thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Francis
Campbell, Her special licence that I, the said Alexander Francis
Campbell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Alexander Francis Campbell, 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 THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS, MERCHANDISE, FISH, CATTLE,
IRON, WINE, AND CARGO OF ALL KINDS AT SEA AND IN RIVERS, SUCH IMPROVE
MENTS PRING APPLICABLE IN PART TO WAR AND OTHER SHIPS," upon the

page_text: condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Francis Campbell,
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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said
Alexander Francis Campbell,
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, that is to say:-
The principles and objects of the Invention are the severance of the
motive power in one vessel P from the cargo capacity in another
vessel C in tow by a suitable rope or chain, whereby the safety of either
vessel may be insured in case of accident to one by disconnecting the
tow rope between the two vessels. The motive-power vessel P may
be used to tow successively several cargo vessels C, the motive vessel P
being at work whilst the cargo vessels are being loaded or unloaded, so
as thereby to diminish the cost of freight and machinery, loss of interest
and value of machinery out of use, and to reduce the expences with
efficiency, and a less number of crew comparatively, whereby more fuel
may be carried for long voyages at sea.
In order that the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, may be clearly described and illustrated I
append to this Specification two Sheets of Drawings, numbered I and II,
having figures and letters of reference marked thereupon, the like letters
being used to denote similar or corresponding parts in each Figure, and
I now proceed to describe my Invention with reference to these
Drawings.
My Invention consists in the severance of vessels for cargo purposes
in two distinct vessels, one P constructed and fitted with steam or
other motive-power engines with rudders, and built so that the available
space, beside that necessary for the crew, passengers, and light packages,
is devoted mainly to the stowage of the fuel to produce the power, and
the other vessel constructed so that nearly its whole space can be
devoted to purposes of cargo, or passengers, live or dead stock, ice, fish,
merchandise, iron, wine, or cargo of all kinds; this second vessel being
adapted by internal arrangements for the particular trade in which it is

page_text: to be employed, and being unsinkable when hermetically closed on deck
and otherwise for the cargo for voyages at sea from port to port.
In the Drawings, Figure 1 is the sheer plan of the power vessel P;
Figure 2, the body plan; Figure 3, the half-breadth plan; and Figure 4 a
plan shewing the whole space available for machinery, fuel, and cabin
for crew. Figure 5 is the sheer plan of the cargo vessel C; Figure 6, the
body plan; Figure 7, the half-breadth plan; Figure 8, a plan shewing the
arrangement of the cargo vessel C; Figures 9 and 10 shew the power
vessel P and cargo vessel connected by a tow rope or chain in the
manner I propose to use them.
In the cargo vessel C I place two small cabins, one a in the bow and
one al aft the bow cabin, with water-tight bulkheads to be used as a
store, and the after cabin as a living cabin. The cargo vessel may be
built and fitted with a rudder b fore and aft for steering either way. I
prefer the vessels of iron with flat bottoms so as to be buoyant and draw
little water comparatively, and in the case of cattle and other animals
requiring air in the hold I would admit air in the hold between port and
port by hatches c, c, c, or otherwise. I propose in some winds aft to use
masts and sails in the cargo vessels C. The masts d (on balance) to be
lowered at will into the position as shewn at d³. I prefer square sails
with these masts in sailing with the wind.
The principle of my Invention can be applied for war ships, the crew
heavy guns, ammunition, and stores being placed in the cargo vessel C
in turrets or broadsides, amd the traction power in the towing vessels P.
I propose to use apparatus for instantaneously disengaging or dis-
connecting the rope from the motive-power vessel P from the cargo
vessel C. This may be effected by means known to sailors and others,
or by a compressor for gripping the tow rope or chain, consisting of a
long tube in two halves hinged together so that it can receive the rope
or chain to be provided with a lever and detent or otherwise for securing
it firmly by friction on the rope or chain, or the compressor may be of
the description shewn in the Drawing, Sheet II. Figure 11 is an
elevation of this compresser; Figure 12 is an end view, and Figure 13 a
plan. The cable e passes through or between a cap f and block g of
metal lined with wood or otherwise, as shewn in Figure 12. A certain
amount of play is allowed between the cap and block so that the amount
of pressure upon the cable can be regulated. This is done by means of
a rope led round sheaves h, placed alternately in the cap and block on

page_text: either side of the cable. The ends i being made fast, the rope is hove
taut by a sheave on the lever K, which acts on the bight of the rope.
With the lever in the horizontal position, as shewn, the cable is secured.
To release the cable or regulate the pressure thereon the lever is moved
upwards towards the vertical position; this effect of pressure may be done
otherwise.
Life boats may be carried on the closed deck of cargo vessel C. The
tow rope or a rope attached may contain or carry one or more electric
wires leading to batteries in the separate vessels for communication.
The cargo vessel may be used to carry electric cables for paying the
cable out at sea, offering great advantages over the means employed in
the Great Eastern across the Atlantic, where the steam power and cable
were in one large vessel, not in two vessels as herein proposed.
Electric cables may be laid on my plan, as, for example, a cable might
have been laid from the Land's End to Bermuda by means of an iron
floating dock lately constructed, the said iron floating dock being
utilized for the time as a cargo vessel. I propose that the cables be
wound on an axle shaft or drum placed horizontally or vertically in
the hold of the cargo vessel, the shaft to be in such bearings that it may
be lifted, to have flanches, and to be provided with breaks at the flanches.
This manner of laying electric cables will be readily understood by
reference to Sheet Number II. in the Drawings, in which Figure 14 is a
plan of a cargo vessel C with the electric cable wound on the drum ;
Figure 15 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 16 a transverse section of
the same vessel. The cable c is shewn passing out aft through one
of my compressers 1, and thence over what is for the time being the
stern of the vessel.
My claim is substantially for the severance of power vessel P, towing
cargo vessel C at sea, and the apparatus herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Francis Campbell, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
A. F. CAMPBELL. (L.s.)