IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMERGED VESSELS AND IN MEANS OF PROPELLING THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augusto Arsène Olivier, of Paris, Boulevard de Stras-
bourg, 23, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMERGED
VESSELS AND IN MEANS OF PROPELLING THE SAME."
Sealed the 13th, July 1877, and dated the 19th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Augusto Arsène Olivier at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th May 1877.
AUGUSTE ARSÈNE OLIVIER, of Paris, Boulevard de Strasbourg, 23, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMERGED VESSELS AND IN MEANS OF PROPELLING THE
SAME."
My Invention relates to the construction of a novel description of submerged
vessel, and is chiefly characterized by the mode of propelling this vessel, which is
based on the reaction produced by the projective force of gunpowder, pyroxyline,
nitro-glycerine, or other explosive substances which are capable of instantaneously
developing a large quantity of gases.
In carrying out my Invention I construct a very solid and at the same time very
light iron vessel of slight forms, so as to be able to attain the extreme limits of
speed. It has a round or curved deck, and should be shaped as much as possible
like a fish. At the upper part above the deck is a sort of tower with glass ports,
offering as little resistance as possible to the motion of the vessel. From this tower
and from the interior all that takes place outside can be watched. Valves are
fitted in the situations which are most favourable for renewing the air inside as
required. The vessel is provided with very strong compartments, in order to be
able to produce a vacuum to compress air, gases, or liquids, all being perfectly air-
tight. At the prow or fore part at both sides below the line of flotation are fins
or wings, connected together in front in the form of a V, or like an arrow head,
and capable of spreading out or of folding against the sides of the vessel; they are
arranged horizontally, but can be raised or lowered at front or back by means of a
spindle, which receives its movement internally in a corresponding manner to a
rudder. These fins are independent or not, as required; their object is to enable
the vessel, when at full speed, to plunge into the water or to rise to the surface.
If thought necessary any suitable appendages may be added to produce equili-
brium, or to give direction..

page_text: At the stern under the rudder and quite against the keel is a round opening to
receive a long metal tube or barrel placed inside the vessel on supports, the tube
fitting water-tight in the said opening. This tube is conical, the wider end being
at the stern. Within the vessel the tube is connected to the sides by strong bars
extending to the fore part. At the inner end of the tube a metal drum is fixed,
similar to that of a revolver, and the circumference of which touches the end of the
tube. In this drum chambers are formed of the same diameter as the tube; and
which, as the drum revolves successively come opposite the end of the tube.
These chambers receive cartridges, previously prepared and enclosing explosive
substances, such as gunpowder, pyroxyline, or other substance capable of instan-
taneously producing large quantities of gases. All the apparatus is supported by
the strong bars before mentioned, and this forms one body with the vessel. In
other words, the vessel is a floating gun, which shoots its charges in the rear, and
the mechanism of which is analogous to that of a revolver, allowing it to produce
explosions rapidly or slowly, as required. The gases instantaneously produced in
large quantity and of a very compressible and dilatable nature strike and rebound on
the inert and incompressible water in which the vessel is submerged, and as the force
of the recoil is equal to the projective force, it follows that the vessel will be shot for-
ward in proportion to the abundance and repetition of the explosions. The first having
to overcome the resistance of inertia will not be very appreciable, but when once
motion has been acquired it will be easy to attain very great speeds. It is then
that by operating on the fins or wings the vessel can be made to pierce the waves,
and even like a fish to descend into the water and travel therein with full
force.
Among the many uses to which my Invention may be applied, I will mention
vessels for carrying messages at great speed, and engines of war to act as marine
catapults against the hulls of the enemy's ships.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Auguste Arsène Olivier in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
September 1877.
AUGUSTE ARSÈNE OLIVIER, of Paris, Boulevard de Strasbourg, 23, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMERGED VESSELS AND IN MEANS OF PROPELLING THE
SAME."
My Invention relates to the construction of a novel description of submerged
vessel, and is chiefly characterized by the mode of propelling this vessel, which is
based on the action produced by the projective force of gunpowder, pyroxyline,
nitro-glycerine, or other explosive substances which are capable of instantaneously
developping a large quantity of gases.
The following description with the aid of the annexed Drawings will fully
explain the general arrangement and working of my vessel, which I call the
Nausolour," or for shortness, the "Nausol," from a Greek word "naus," which
signifies vessel.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a longitudinal and transverse section of the new
vessel; Figure 3 is a plan partly in section.
In carrying out my Invention, I construct a very solid and at the same time very
.light iron vessel of slight forms, so as to be able to attain the extreme limits of
speed, and be submergible or not, at pleasure. It has a round or curved deck, and
should be shaped as much as possible like a fish. At the middle of the deck is a
glass port tower t, offering as little resistance as possible to locomotion. From this
tower and from the interior, all that takes place outside can be watched, and valves
are fitted in the situations which are most favorable for renewing the air inside, as
required. The vessel is provided with compartments having very strong walls, in
which a vacuum can be produced, air and gases compressed, water introduced as

page_text: ballast, &c., all. being perfectly air-tight. At the prow or fore part at both sides
below the water line of flotation are fins or wings a connected together in the
form of a V, or like an arrow head, and capable of spreading out or of folding
against the sides f of the vessel; they are arranged horizontally, but can be raised
or lowered at front or back by means of a spindle, which receives its movement
from the inside, and, like the rudder, obeys the hand of the helmsman. These fins
are independent or not, as required; their object is to enable the vessel, when at
full speed, to plunge into the water or to rise to the surface.
This vessel, like others, is provided at the stern with a rudder g, and with a
device for regulating or stopping its progress; this device can be arranged in any
suitable manner.
At the stern under the rudder and quite against the keel is a round opening o to
receive the mouth of a long metal tube or barrel c placed inside the vessel on sup.
ports, the tube fitting water-tight in the said opening. The interior of this cylinder
or barrel c, which is made of strong steel plate or other metal, widens from the
inner to the outer end, as seen in Figure 1. Within and to the sides of the vessel
this tube is, connected by strong bars d extending to the fore part, so that the tube
from its base forms one body with the vessel. The breech of the tube or barrel c is
composed of a metal drum, similar to that of a revolver, but placed in the direction
of its length and held in a case or holder k, which receives its axes or trunnions,
and is arranged like a grindstone, whose circumference would form the breech of
the tube or barrel. In this drum and in the direction of the radius, that is to say,
from the circumference to the axis, chambers m are bored, of the same diameter as
the bore of the tube, and opposite which they successively come.
These chambers receive cartridges n, previously prepared, and enclosing explosive
substances, such as before mentioned. It is well to direct the gases in the tubo and
at their outlet, to enable them to produce all their useful effect; I therefore con-
struct the barrel c with rifle grooves r, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, or with spiral
ribs with quicker or slower pitch, see Figure 6. These grooves or ribs, as it were,
conduct the gases and suppress the internal eddies which might diminish their
expansive power. The widening of the barrel e at its mouth o in the form of a
trumpet or horn has also the effect of making the gases issue as much as possible at
the circumference; they may be further made to issue at the circumference by
placing in the centro of the orifice a conical metal director q (see Figures 7
and 8).
To prevent all escape of gas between the barrel c and the drum h, the latter is
dove-tailed, as seen in the vertical section (on a larger scale) Figure 9, and in the
horizontal section, Figure 10. This dovetail y does not in any way prevent the
rotation of the drum, and ensures the tightness of the joint of the barrel and the
drum. It will be seen in these two Figures that the cartridges n do not go to the
bottom of the chambers m; the space filled with air which remains behind the
cartridge serves as a cushion when the latter is exploded by percussion and reacts,
thus increasing the expansive power of the gases. This compressed air on ex-
panding will completely drive out the remains of the cartridge and clear the
chamber m. I can also arrange the drum so as to have no spaces behind the cart-
ridges in the chambers. My vessel is, in short, a floating gun, which shoots its
charges in the rear, and the mechanisin of which is analogous to that of a revolver,
allowing it to produce explosions rapidly or slowly, as required. The gases instan-
taneously produced in large quantity being of an essentially compressible nature,
and consequently possessed of an enormous power of expansion, strike, and, by the
law of reaction rebound on the inert and incompressible water in which the vessel
is submerged; a powerful recoil is therefore produced, which drives the vessel
forward.
Following the fundamental principles of mechanics and the experimental
observations of later years this force of reaction is capable of being utilized; iny
vessel will therefore be shot forward in proportion to the abundance and repetition
of the explosions. The first having to overcome the resistance of inertia will not

page_text: be very appreciable, but when once motion has been acquired it will be easy to
economically attain very great speeds. It is then that by operating on the fins or
wings the vessel can be made to pierce the waves, to brave the tempest, and even
like a fish to descend into the water and travel therein with full force, which at
that depth becomes more appreciable, seeing that the deeper the vessel goes the
more are calm and backward resistance met with.
Among the many uses to which my Invention may be applied, I will mention
vessels for carrying messages at great speed, and engines of war to act as marine
catapults against the hulls of the enemy's ships.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
Constructing submerged vessels, with means of propelling them by projective
reaction, substantially as herein-before described
I claim particularly the special arrangement of the barrel (with or without
grooves or ribs) in combination with the cartridge drum, substantially as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Arsène Olivier, have hereunto set
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD,
Civil Engineer,
23, Boulevard de Strasbourg,
à Paris.
A. ARSÈNE OLIVIER. (L.S.)