IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDO BOATS, AND IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE WORKING OF THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDO BOATS, AND IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE
WORKING OF THE SAME." A communication from abroad by John Louis Lay,
of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDO BOATS, AND IN
APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE WORKING OF THE SAME.' "
[A communication from
abroad by John Louis Lay, of Paris, France.]
The said Invention relates to torpedo boats, or torpedoes of the class or kind
described in the Specification of foriner Letters Patent, dated February 22, A.D.
1878, No. 747, which torpedo boats carry within them apparatus or machinery for
propelling them, and for performing the various functions necessary for their
efficient working, which machinery or apparatus is controlled by an operator on
shore, or at other stations, through the medium of electrical currents sent through a
cable or conductor, which connects the said boat with the station.
The said Invention is designed to ensure a more positive or certain action of
these torpedoes or torpedo boats when directed against an enemy's ship, and to
facilitate the working of the same.
One part of the present Invention relates to providing a torpedo boat with a
detachable magazine, whereby I avoid the risk of failure in the action of such boats
to which they are liable by reason of their rebounding or recoiling after striking
the hull of a ship, and their consequent explosion at such a distance from the same,
as to render such explosion ineffectual. By my Invention I so construct and
arrange the said magazine as to afford a cushion, which prevents any recoil or
rebound of the torpedo boat after striking an object. For this purpose I provide
the front extremity or bow of the torpedo boat with a magazine or charge chamber
constructed to fit within a second or rear chamber which is placed behind it, and
which is made air-tight, with the exception of a small opening through its side, by

page_text: a bag or lining of india-rubber or other suitable material placed within the
said rear chamber. When the boat strikes an object the magazine is driven
backward into the said rear chamber, and forces the air and water out through the
said opening. The fore part of the boat thus has its buoyancy diminished, and is
depressed in the water into such a position as to ensure the greatest effect of the
explosion when the charge is fired by an electric current sent through the cable, as
described in the said former Specification.
The present Invention also relates to improvements in the construction of the
apparatus, whereby the position of the boat in making an attack is indicated to
the operator at the shore or other station. This part of my Invention comprises
an arrangement of telescopically sliding guide rods provided with discs or other
suitable indicators, which, when the said rods are raised present their largest area
to the station, and when the said rods are lowered present only a thin edge in the
direction in which the boat is moving, so that the said discs will present no
perceptible surface for the enemy's observation, and will not obstruct the passage
of the boat. This part of the said Invention is carried into practise by the use of
guide rods, which are fitted to turn one quarter of a revolution, or through au angle
of 90° in the elevation and depression of the said guide rods. For this purpose I
secure in the boat a vertical tube or long cylinder, in which I enclose a second
tube or tubular rod of smaller diameter, provided with a piston which fits tightly
with a capability of sliding up and down in the first or fixed tube. Within this
second tube I enclose a third tube or light rod, whose upper end projects through
the top of the boat, and carries the disc or other indicator. This third or inner
tube is oval or flattened in transverse section, and is made spiral or twisted; and it
works through an oval or other suitably shaped bush at the top of the second tube,
so that as the said inner tube slides up and down through the said bush it turns
through an angle of. 90°. The said second tube is kept from turning by a lateral
projecting piece or rod, which works in a longitudinal groove in the neck or gland
of the first or outer tube. The two ends of the latter are connected by pipes or
passages with a case or box formed with distributing ports, and with a port face,
on which is placed a slide valve arranged in connection with suitable electro
magnetic apparatus included in a circuit connected with the aforesaid cable
or conductor, and the said case or box is connected by a pipe with the gas
reservoir or other source of motive power within the boat. By sending the electric
current in opposite directions through the magnets which govern the said slide
valve, the same can be moved to admit the gas to either end of the said fixed or
outer tube to act on the piston of the second tube, and raise or lower the same;
and suitable apertures are provided, whereby the gas also has access to the piston
of the third or inner tube to raise or lower it; and by the extension or movement
of both of these sliding tubes the desired elevation or depression and turning of the
discs may be readily effected.
Another part of the said Invention relates to improved mechanism for controlling
the steering of torpedo boats. This mechanism comprises a quadrant placed on the
rudder post, and formed with screw or worm teeth, which engage with a worm
placed on a shaft extending ncross the boat near the rudder post. This shaft is
provided with cranks or crank discs, which are connected to the piston rods of two
oscillating or other cylinders of an engine supplied with carbonic acid gas or other
fluid from the reservoir in the boat. The distribution of the gas in these cylinders
is effected by a slide valve arranged between them.
I prefer to employ a vertically moving valve enclosed in a valve box or chest
placed between the adjacent trunnions of the two cylinders. The rod or stem of
this valve is connected to one arin of a rocking lever; another arm of this lever is
connected by a rod or link with two vertical arms projecting up from two forked
or double curved pieces, which are arranged in combination with two cams fixed
on the worm shaft. Each of these forked pieces embraces one of the said cams,
and one of its arms has a hook or catch at its extremity. Each cam has one
shoulder or notch in its circumference for this hook to engage with. The said

page_text: notches or shoulders, and the hooks that engage therewith, are arranged on opposite
sides of the axis of the said cams, so that by the adjustment of one or other of the
forked arms to engage with its cam the engine may be reversed. An electro-
magnet arranged in combination with the said rocking lever affords the means for
controlling the position of the slide valve by the transmission of electric currents
from the station; and the direction of rotation of the said shaft may be reversed, so
that the rudder quadrant may be moved to the right or left, or may be held or
retained in any desired position, according to the will of the operator.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th May 1880.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDO BOATS, AND IN
APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE WORKING OF THE SAME." A communication from
abroad by John Louis Lay, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to torpedo boats or torpedoes of the class or kind described
in the Specification of my former Letters Patent, dated February 22nd, A.D. 1878,
No. 747. These torpedo boats carry within them apparatus or machinery for pro-
pelling them and for performing the various functions necessary for their efficient
working, which machinery or apparatus is controlled by an operator or operators on
shore or at other stations, through the medium of electrical currents sent through a
cable connecting the said boat with the station.
The said Invention is designed to ensure a positive or certain action of these
torpedoes or torpedo boats when directed against an enemy's ship, to facilitate their
working, and to ensure their more effectual control by the operator, as hereinafter
specified.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a torpedo boat provided with a
yielding magazine constructed according to my Invention, and
Figure 2 is a front end view of the same.
Figure 3 is an end elevation with parts removed of one form or arrangement of
my improved mechanism for elevating and depressing the guide rods of torpedo

page_text: Figure 8, a side elevation of my improved machinery for steering torpedo boats.
Figures 9 and 10 shew portions of the said mechanism detached.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of one of the cylinders of the said steering
machinery, and
Figure 12 is a face view of the valve chest of the same.
Figure 13 is a transverse section of the said valve chest, the valves, and adjacent
parts.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
One part of this Invention relates to the providing of a torpedo boat with a movable
or yielding magazine, whereby I avoid the risk of failure in action to which these
boats are liable by reason of their rebounding or recoiling after striking the hull of
a ship, and consequently exploding at such a distance from the same as to render
the explosion ineffectual. By my Invention I so construct and arrange the said
magazine as to afford a cushion which prevents any recoil or rebound of the torpedo
boat after striking an object, and I ensure the sinking or submergence of the end
of the torpedo boat carrying the magazine to such a depth as to render the explosion
most effectual.
For this purpose I construct a torpedo boat as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the
Drawings, that is to say, I provide the front extremity or bow of the torpedo boat
with a magazine or charge chamber a constructed to fit and slide telescopically
within a second chamber b, which is preferably formed by the hull of the bont.
This chamber b is made air tight (with the exception of a small opening c in its
underside) by a bag or lining d of india-rubber or other suitable material placed
within the said chamber. When the magazine a strikes an object the said magazine
is driven backward into the chamber b and forces the air and water out through
the opening c. The fore part of the boat thus has its buoyancy diminished, and is
depressed or submerged in the water into such a position as to ensure the greatest
effect of the explosion when the charge is fired by an electric current through the
cable, or by the closing of an electrical circuit, as described in the said former
Specification.
Instead of employing the india rubber bag d I sometimes bore out or otherwise
form the chamber b in such a manner that the charge chamber a can be fitted to
work air tight in the same by providing it with with packing similar to that used
for the piston of a steam engine.
Another part of the said Invention relates to improvements in the construction
of the apparatus whereby the position of the boat in making an attack is indicated
to the operator or operators at the shore or other station. This part of my Invention
comprises an arrangement of telescopically sliding guide rods provided with discs or
other suitable indicators, which when the said rods are raised present their largest
area to the station, and when the said rods are lowered present only a thin edge in
the direction in which the boat is moving, so that there will be no perceptible
surface for the enemy's observation, and the said discs will not obstruct the passage
of the boat. This part of the said Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 3 to 6,
is carried into practice by the use of guide rods, which are fitted to turn one quarter
of a revolution, or through an angle of 90° in the elevation and depression of the
said guide rods. For this purpose I secure in the boat a vertical tube or long
cylinder e, in which I enclose a tube f provided with a piston g, which fits tightly,
with a capability of sliding up and down in the said cylinder. Within this tube f
I enclose another tube or rod h, which is secured at its lower end to a piston i fitted
tightly to, but capable of up and down movement within the aforesaid tube f.
The tube is oval, or approximately so, in transverse section, as shewn in
Figure 5, and is made spiral or twisted to the extent of 90° in its entire length, as
shewn in Figure 6. The said tube is arranged to work through an oval or similarly
shaped bush at the upper part of the tube f, so that as the tube h slides up and
down through the said bush it turns ou its axis through an angle of 90°. The
turning of the tube f is prevented by a lateral projecting piece or hollow extension fƒ¹
formed on the same and sliding in a longitudinal groove in the neck or gland e* of

page_text: the cylinder c. The two ends of this cylinder are connected by pipes or passages e¹
with a valve chest k provided with distributing ports or passages, as shewn in
Figure 4, and with a port face on which is placed a slide valve k' arranged in con-
nection with suitable electro-magnetic apparatus included in the circuit of the
aforesaid cable or conductor. The said valve chest is connected by a pipe with
the gas reservoir or other source of motive power within the boat. By sending an
electric current in opposite directions through the magnets which govern the
movements of the said slide valve ', the same can be moved to admit the gas to
either end of the cylinder e. When gas is admitted to the lower end of the said
cylinder it acts upon the piston g, and passing through the aperture g² in the same
also acts upon the piston and elevates the tube fand rod or tube h. The latter
in its upward movement has a quarter turn imparted to it, as above described.
When it is desired to lower the guide rods gas is admitted to the upper end of the
cylinder e, and acting upon the piston g draws down the tube f; at the same time
the gas enters a port at the lower end of the tube f, and passing up through the
passage in the extension f¹ passes to the interior of the tube f through the
aperture, and acting upon the piston i of the guide rod h depresses the same,
the said rod in its downward movement receiving a quarter turn, and adjusting
the indicator disc h' so that it extends longitudinally or in the direction of the line
of motion of the boat, and presents but little surface to the view of those in charge
of the ship or other object being attacked. The exhaust of the gas or steam is
provided for in the usual manner. It will thus be seen that by the extension or
movement of both of the tubes f and h, the desired elevation or depression and
turning of the discs or other indicators may be readily effected at the will of the
operator at the station.
Another part of iny Invention relates to controlling the steering of torpedo boats
by means of the apparatus shewn in Figures 7 to 13 of the Drawings. For this
purpose I employ a quadrant m fixed on the rudder post, and formed with screw
or worm teeth which gear with a worm m¹ fixed or formed on the shaft m²
extending athwart or across the boat near the rudder post. This shaft is provided
with cranks or crank discs m³, m³, which are connected to the piston rods of two
oscillating or other cylinders n, n, of an engine driven by carbonic acid gas or other
gas, or steam from the reservoir in the boat. The distribution of the gas in these
cylinders is effected by a double slide valve or two valves moved by the same stem
arranged between them, and which when moved or adjusted will reverse the
direction of movement of the engine. I prefer to employ vertically moving valves
enclosed in a valve box or chest' placed between the adjacent trunnions of the
two cylinders, which receive the gas froin this valve at the ends in their oscillations.
In the arrangement of slide valves and ports illustrated in Figures 11, 12, and 13,
n*, n*, are the valves; n³, n³, the admission ports, and n³, n, the exhaust ports in
the valve chest ; no, no, are the inlet ports of the cylinder. The rod or stem n² of
the valves is connected to one arm o' of a rocking lever o. Another arın o² of this
lever is connected by a forked rod or link o³ with vertical arms of projecting up
from two forked or double pawls p, p', which are arranged in combination with
two cams q, q, fixed on the worm shaft m². Each of the forked pawls p, p²,
embraces one of the said cams. One of the arms of each pawl is provided with a
hook or catch, as shewn at p², 73, and the other arm preferably has its extremity
inclined or bevelled, as shewn at p and p. Each of the cams q, q', has a shoulder q*
on its circumference for the hook and the inclined end of the pawl to engage with,
as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, and by this arrangement the movement of the engine
will be arrested at each half turn of the said discs. The notches or shoulders q* of
the discs q, q', and the hooks p², p³, that engage therewith are arranged on opposite
sides of the axis of the said cams, as shewn. The movement of the slide valves is
effected by an electro-magnet controlled by electric currents sent from the station
through the cable; this magnet acts on the lever o attached to the valve stem n².
If the engine is running in one direction its reversal is effected by sending a current
of electricity through the aforesaid magnet, when by means of the lever o and valve

page_text: stem n² the double slide valve has its position changed, thereby reversing the
movement of the engine and the direction of rotation of the worm shaft m².
Therefore the quadrant m may be moved to the right or left, or held or retained
in any desired position, according to the will of the operator. For instance, if an
electric current be sent through the electro magnet in one direction, and the slide
valve is correspondingly moved, the cam q will be released through the medium of
the lever o, link o³, and arm of by the hook 2 of the pawl p which has been
holding it; the engine will then start, and when the said cam has made half
a revolution it will be arrested by the end p' of the said pawl, as shewn in Figure 9.
The electro magnet being then centralized in its movement the pawl p will drop,
and the end 2 will release the cam g, when the disc will be caused by the engine
to complete the other half of its revolution, the said disc being again stopped after
such second half of its revolution by the hook p² coming in contact with the
shoulder q*, this action being continued as long as the operator desires to move the
rudder in the same direction.
When a reverse movement of the rudder is required a current of opposite polarity
is sent through the electro-magnet, the lever o controlled by the said electro-magnet
and the slide valve being moved as above described, thereby causing the pawl p² to
release the cam g' whose movement is then effected and controlled in a similar
manner to that described with reference to the cam q, but in a reverse direction.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. A torpedo boat provided with a magazine which on striking the object
attacked yields or moves backward within the boat, and thereby decreases the
buoyancy of the fore end of the same, substantially as above set forth with reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings, and for the purpose specified.
Second. In a torpedo boat the guide rod apparatus whose characteristic feature
is the employment of a rod or tube which has an oval sectional forin, and is spiral
or twisted longitudinally, and which is adapted to work through a correspondingly
shaped bush, so that in the movements of the said rod the indicator disc will be
turned on its axis, substantially as above set forth with reference to Figures 3 to 6
of the Drawings, and for the purpose specified.
Third. In a torpedo bout the combination with the rudder of apparatus, sub-
stantially as shown in Figures 7 to 13 of the Drawings, or of such portions of the
said apparatus as are essential to the obtaining of the efficient control of the rudder
(by means of electric currents sent through the cable or conductor from the shore
or other station), in the peculiar manner above set forth for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WM BORT LAKE (18)