Improvements in the Construction of Boats.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Boats.
I, RASMUS HANSEN KJELLEVOLD, of Laxevaag, Bergen, Norway, Iron
Shipbuilder, 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 :-
According to my invention the boat is entirely built of thin iron or steel plates,
"frames" being preferably dispensed with, and is supplied with an outside aircase
running along the sides from stem to stern which practically increases the beam.
On the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 shews a boat constructed according to my invention in transverse section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on which the full curved line indicates the contour of
the boat, and
Fig. 3 a plan of same.
Each aircase A is formed by a curved plate B fixed with one of its edges to the
"gunwale" C of the boat, and the other edge joining the boat's side at the turn of
the bilge D, as indicated by the dotted line on Fig. 2, thus forming an airtight
space beyond the side of the boat. The objects of this aircase are, as may be
understood, first to make it impossible for the boat to sink, then to make the boat
more stable, work better in rough seas, prevent it from capsizing and finally also to
add to the strength of the boat and generally to dispense with frames. This
construction will make the boat particularly suited for lifeboats stationed on the
coast or for ships and steamers, but the boat also will be of great use and importance
for fishermen, pilots, and for pleasure boats where the question is to have a safe,
light, and strong boat. The form and interual construction will vary according to
the purposes for which the boats are intended. The boat, as adapted for use on
board ships as a life boat, will be constructed, besides the outside aircases A, with
an inside aircase or aircases A' which will make the boat still more safe and
increase the strength. These inside aircases may be formed by a vertical plate E
extending from stem to stern and rivetted to the side of the boat at D and a
horizontal plate F connected to it may form the top and the aircases may be
divided transversely into separate compartments. The boat as shewn has no
"frames" and in order to strengthen it the bottom is made double, forming a
hollow space between the false bottom G and the boat's bottom H. This hollow
space may be utilised for water ballast or may be filled with suitable stuffing
material, for instance tarred hemp, cork or the like, or it may form an air space
being in such case strengthened by fore and aft stringers or transverse "floors"
between it and the bottom of the boat. The whole of the aircases may be divided
into watertight compartments but this will as a rule be unnecessary for small boats
though giving great additional strength to larger boats. The plates may be steel
or iron of suitable thickness for the size of the boat and will preferably be rivetted
to a keel bar K (preferably as shewn of "bulb" iron) and the whole may be
galvanized if desirable to protect them from rusting. The boats will be fitted with
the usual "thwarts" or seats with a strong "bulwark" rail L of wood or moulded
iron and may be rigged with masts and sails.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The construction of boats of steel or iron plates-preferably without
"frames"--having outside aircases along the sides from stem to stern with, or
without inside airage and with or without a false bottom forming a space

page_text: between it and the boat's bottom which space may be airtight or may be packed
with tarred hemp, cork, or other suitable material, or may be utilised to carry
water ballast, constructed substantially as described and with the objects herein-
before stated.
2nd. The improved construction of boats, without "frames" comprising the
outer aircases A, inner aircases A', running continuously fore and aft, or divided
transversely into compartments, with a false bottom G forming a space between it
and the boat's bottom H, which may be packed with suitable material, or may
form an air chamber, or may contain water as ballast, being adequately strengthened
by fore and aft or transversely by stringers or ❝ floors the whole arranged in
combination substantially as described and shewn by the drawings with the objects
herein before stated.
Dated this Oth dow of
T. J. DANSON, F. Inst. P.A.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Agent for Applicant.