CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDING AND PROPELLING "SHIPS AND VESSELS
Year: 1852

page_text: 1
LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Burch, of Crag Hall,. near Maccles-
F
field, in the County of Cliester, Carpet Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDING AND PROPELLING
"SHIPS AND VESSELS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Burch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his. Petition, on the
2nd October 1852.
I JOSEPH BURCH, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the County of
Chester, Carpet Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
AND
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDING
Invention for " CERTAIN
3.
PROPELLING
SHIPS AND VESSELS" to be as follows:-
My improvements in building ships and other vessels consists in
altering their after parts or buttocks in order to adapt them to my
improved mode of-propelling. The novelty of this part of my Invention
consist in causing the buttock lines of the vessel to. converge into a
circle of several feet in diameter within a convenient distance of the
sternpost, and the body or hold of the vessel here terminates in a flat
Price Ra
D

page_text: pro-
round end, through the centre of which is the driving shaft; as soon as
the fashion pieces have converged the buttock lines into a circle, an
open space is left for my improved propeller; and beyond this "
peller space," towards the sterpost, is an arrangement for relieving the
vessel from the back water draft, and consists in finishing or fashioning
the after or buttock form of the vessel conically upon the dead wood,
the circular end of the cone to correspond in size with the converging
lines of the circular end of the main hold; it forms one side of the pro-
peller space, and terminates in a point near the sternpost, and about
midway between the water line and the keel; it may he used as a
magazine or store, and the whole of these improvements are under
water.
The second part of my Invention consists in constructing mail and
passenger vessels upon my improved mode, in order to obtain very high
speeds, shorten sea voyages, save fuel, time, and sea-going expenses;
and the novelty is in the peculiar form of such vessels; the body of the
vessel is to be tubular and eliptical or egg-shap.d transversly amid-
ships, and terminating in pointed or conical ends; the float or load water
line to be preserved as the consumption of fuel lightens the vessel by
filling cisterns with water provided for that purpose near the keelson;
it is intended to lay upon the water like a fish is sometimes seen with
its back slightly above the surface, but sufficient to give it buoyancy; it
is not so much intended to ride over as to go through the waves; the
vessel is to be surmounted by a narrow gallery running from stem to
stern, and is not intended to carry sails.
The third part of my Invention consists in the new form of propeller,
and in order to use which the buttocks of vessels must be fashioned into
a circle, as described in the first part of this Invention. It consists in
the use of a disk, which is placed in and fills the propeller space
between the circular termination of the main hold and the conical end;
the periphery of the disk is furnished with fins placed at suitable dis-
tances; it is fixed on the axis or shaft which passes out of the main
hold through the centre of the circular end; and the advantages
derived from this forin of propeller are, it presents no obstruction to
the water about its axis; like the ordinary propeller it will not require

page_text: so high a speed in consequence of its periphery moving through a far
greater space every revolution, and every inch of fin surface will be
effectively employed in moving the vessel forward; no arrangement is
required for lifting the propeller out of its place when the vessel is
under sail, as the fins will be made to adjust themselves in parallel
lines with the axis, and spread out again when required as the motive
Dower.
The claims will be for the improvements herein explained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Burch in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 2nd
April.1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BURCH, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the County of Chester, Carpet
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Burch, Her special license that I, the said Joseph Burch, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Joseph Burch, 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 Inven-
tion for CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDING AND PROPELLING SHIPS AND
VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph
Burch, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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:

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Burch, 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. reference being had to the Drawings
annexed hereto, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:
The first part of my Invention consists of a new form or fashion for
the after or buttock parts of ships or vessels. Secondly, it consists of a
new form or fashion for the bows, stem, decks, and hulls of ships and
vessels; and, thirdly, it consists of a new construction and form of pro-
peller.
The first part of my Invention consists in constructing the after
or buttock parts of ships and vessels so as to adapt them to my
improved propeller. The novelty of this part of my Invention consists
in causing the buttock or tail lines of vessels to converge into a circle of
several feet in diameter within a convenient distance of the stern post,
where the body or hold of the improved vessel abruptly terminates
transversely in a round end. As soon as the fashion pieces have con-
verged the buttock lines into a circle, a narrow transverse space is left
for my improved propeller, and beyond this propeller space the con-
verging lines are continued to the stern post, and may be arranged either
to intersect each other and form a pointed tail to the vessel, or be made
to spread flat upon the stern post in a wedge-like form, thus com-
pleting the entire arrangement for lessening the back water draft, and
forming a complete tail to the vessel; the stern end of this portion of the
tail abaft the propeller space I have called the conical tail; its circular
end forms one side of the propeller space, and in large vessels it will be
a chamber of considerable internal dimensions; it may be made useful
as a magazine or for other purposes, access being gained to it by a nar-
row passage down the deadwood or inside the keel underneath the
lower fin space; the converging lines in the Drawings which shew this
tail form are called the bulk buttock or tail lines, these may be either
waved, straight, or curved, according to the description or measurement
of the vessel or the power of the propeller, but in all cases a perfect
circle must be obtained for the propeller space, which need not be

page_text: afterwards preserved in the tapering form towards the stern post. The
whole of these improvements are below the water line, as well as what
I call the waist or waist lines which indicate the side water channels;
these channels are for the purpose of leading a free current of water
to the upper fin space, and the whole of which are afterwards herein
further described, with figures of reference to the Drawings..
a
The second part of my Invention consists in adopting a new form or
fashion for constructing vessels in order to obtain very high speeds,
prevent shipments of the sea, shorten sea voyages, save time and fuel and
sea-going expenses, and other advantages. The body of the vessel is to
be tubular, elliptical, or egg-shaped amidships, and terminating towards
the bows and stem in a conical point or narrow ellipsis according to
any modification of this principle, in order to be useful either for freight
or passenger traffic, et cetera. The float or load water line runs along
or about its greatest breadth, the bows and stem of the vessel diminishing
in breadth both above and below this line, which I have herein called
the bulk bow line. A portion of the deck from the stem to about mid-
ships is to be covered or roofed over, in its form a continuation of the
transverse sectional outline; this is for the purpose of preventing ship-
ment of the sea, as well as to afford better accommodation for passengers;
narrow gangway is to run round the covered deck, and terminate
above the stem in a grated platform or forecastle, which is for the purpose
of working the anchors, keeping the watch, look out, et cetera. The
appearance of such vessel from the stem down to about the mainmast
will be somewhat similar to a fish with its back out of water
and as the greatest bulk will be about the water line, diminishing
upwards to a curved roof, the vessel will pass through the crest of
the wave, and eventually rise out of it without shipping the sea.
I also adopt the plan of a narrow deck or gallery along the centre
of the roof, terminating also in a grated gallery or forecastle in front,
as before described; such vessels when propelled by power are not
intended to carry the ordinary masts, for as they are designed to travel
at a very high speed, my desire is to do away with all obstructions both
from wind and wave. I therefore propose to use masts constructed
upon the telescope slide principle, which can be raised and used, in the
event of any failure of the machinery, with a strong favorable wind, or
;

page_text: to steady the vessel in a rolling sea. The Drawings Nos. 1, 3, and 4,
to which this part of my Invention refers, have the first part of this
Invention introduced in the buttock or tail lines, and are fitted with
my improved propeller, but I wish it to be understood that any of the
ordinary forms of stern, and modes of propelling, may be applied to this
part of my Invention, and it may also be applied to sailing vessels. It
appears to me that a steam vessel does not require the ordinary great
width of deck over the bows, as she does not lay to the wind like a
sailing vessel, and also that the deck should be roofed over in the
manner described; when a broad flat-decked vessel ships a sea she
cannot immediately rise under the weight; the consequence is the decks
are swept, and many lives frequently lost, the ship is strained and thrown
out of her course, her speed is checked, she is more at the mercy of the
next wave, and the minds and confidence of the captain and crew are
shook with the apparent danger; but when a vessel is so constructed
that she will go through the crest of a wave without being thrown aback,
having of course sufficient bulk and buoyancy to preserve the water
line, many casualties which now occur will be avoided, the proper
horizontal position of the vessel will be better preserved in rough seas,
her bows will never be thrown up bringing her deck to about an angle
of forty-five degrees, or when the position is reversed have the appear-
ance of being about to go head foremost to the bottom; such a vessel
as I have described as my Invention, strongly built and fitted with good
machinery, would, with plenty of searoom, outlive almost any storin,
and fitted with my improved propeller would, I expect, attain a speed
superior to anything yet known in steam navigation; my calculation is
twenty-five miles per hour; with these results, besides the improved
accommodation from the covered deck, the common danger will be
lessened in proportion to the time saved over the ordinary voyage, little
more than half the fuel will be required, and consequently there will be
a proportionably less weight to carry, long voyages will be performed at
a cheaper rate, much valuable time saved to passengers, and the inter-
course between distant countries rendered more frequent and certain.
Drawings 1, 3, and 4, have hereafter especial reference to this part of
my Invention.
The third part of my Invention cousists in the construction and

page_text: use of a new form of propeller, which acts upon the water obliquely
on the screw principle; and my object in adopting this form in
conjunction with my new stern form of vessel is, that I effectually
remedy the central obstructions which all screw propellers have
hitherto possessed, and consequently save that great waste of power
which screw propellers, having their axes exposed to the apparent
backward current of water, are, without exception, known to produce.
The body or case of my improved propeller, as shewn in the Drawings,
is flat and circular, corresponding in shape with the propeller space in
which it is to be placed; the form of its periphery being a continuation
of the buttock or tail lines of the vessel, as described in the first part of
this Invention, it is fixed on the driving shaft which comes through the
centre of the circular end of the main hold; the great advantage to be
derived from the form of propeller is, that when placed in the propeller
space no part of its surface is exposed to the passing current of water,
excepting its narrow periphery, which, as I before observed, is a con-
tinuation of the tail lines of the vessel. I hereafter describe four kinds
of propellers and fin blades, No. 1, 2, 3, and 4; in some an arrangement
is shewn for drawing the fin blades into the propeller case, when the
vessel is at anchor or under sail, assuming again their proper obliquety
as they are made to emerge or expand therefrom; another form of fin
is shewn which will adjust itself to the passing current when the vessel
is at rest or under sail; the fin blades project from the periphery of the
propeller beyond the buttock lines, and when in action prepare to revolve
round the tail of the vessel; every inch of their surfaces, by reason of
their being placed at a suitable distance from the axis of the pro-
peller, acts effectively upon the water, and therefore will not require so
many revolutions of the propeller shaft in comparison with the ordinary
propeller for driving the vessel forward at a quicker speed, for the
oblique fins being on the periphery of a large diameter will travel through
a greater longitudinal space every revolution, and the great advantage
of a diminished speed for the propeller shaft is thereby obtained. The
propeller space must be somewhat wider than the thickness of the pro-
peller case, which should be fitted clear of the circular end of the maiu
hold on one surface, and the circular end of the conical tail on the other,
so that all friction is avoided; and in case that any unequal strain upon

page_text: the fin blades, by reason of the greater density of the underwater, should
have a tendency to cause it to revolve out of truth, I recommend auti-
friction rollers fixed in the circular end of the main hold to receive this
unequal pressure; in order, therefore, to prevent friction, I leave a
surface space between the surfaces on each side of the propeller case,
and as the water would fill these spaces, and obstruct the free action of
the propeller, I remove the water by the use of vacuum tubes. These
tubes are lead down from above the waterline to the propeller space,
passing out through the circular end of the main hold, and the circular
end of the conical tail to about the axis of the propeller case, but not to
project therefrom so as to obstruct its action; the results and advantages
of these air tubes are as follows: when the propeller case begins to
revolve at its proper speed, its centrifugal force acting on the water
drives it out of the surface spaces, while the central vacuum is supplied
with air through the tubes, which is drawn down by the same force,
and thus the obstruction from the water between the surfaces is by
this arrangement effectually removed, and the propeller case, instead of
its disk surfaces running in water, has by this admission of the atmo-
sphere no such obstruction to contend against. The disk surfaces of the
propeller case may, if necessary, be furnished with very shallow radial
grooves, in order to ensure the complete expulsion of the water from
the surface spaces, and the external form of the disk surfaces of the
propeller case may be either flat, concave, or convex, according to cir-
cumstances; but in all cases its periphery should be a continuation of
the converging form or buttock lines of the vessel. Also I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the use of any particular
number of fin blades to each propeller, being of opinion that as I remove
the central obstructions, it is advisable to deviate the work between four,
six, or even eight blades, rather than that the driving shaft should, by
the use of a lesser number, have a more unequal resistance to contend
against, Drawings 5, and 6, exhibit the different forms of propeller herein
described as Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
I will now further describe the details of the different parts of
his Invention, reference being made to the Drawings by letters and
figures corresponding. The first part is exhibited in Drawings
1, 2, 3, 4. A, buttor or tail lines shew the external stern form of

page_text: 1, into
the vessel; B, circular end of main hold; C, propeller space; D,
conical tail; E, waist lines; F, fin spaces are holes in the dead
wood through which the fin blades pass as they revolve; G, chain
and pulley for working the rudder; H, propeller case; I fin blade
expanding guides. The second part of this Invention is exhibited in
Drawings 1, 3, and 4. J, are the bulk bow lines; K, bulk tail line;
L, the covered deck; M, slide gangways; N, grated forecastle; 0,
narrow gallery deck; P, telescope masts. The third part of this In-
vention is exhibited on Drawings 5, and 6, and it is also marked on the
other Drawings. No. 1, propeller H 1, has an arrangement by means of
wheels and screws Q, actuated by an internal shaft R, through the
propeller shaft S, for drawing or packing the fin blades a
the propeller case, when the vessel is required to go under sail;
these blades have hollow stems, and being somewhat twisted assume
a proper obliquity as they emerge or expand, and their propulsive
power on the water is to be regulated by their projecting length from
the periphery of the propeller case; by this means the power of the
engines may be absorbed to the best advantage, a 2 fin stems: these are
hollow and slides in the fin guides I; they have an internal thread, and
by means of the screws Q, expand and contract the fin blades. In No. 2,
propeller the fin blades 1 are also arranged to be contracted and
expanded, but they are flat, and when in full work project entirely from
the propeller case; they are held in their places by and move round on
the fin stems 2, assuming their proper angle or obliquity from the
pressure of the water as soon as they come into action by forcing the
stop levers 3, against the internal surface of the propeller case. When
required to be packed in the propeller case they are again returned to
their proper positions by 64, the blade spring 6 5, fin slot. No. 3,
propeller, H 3, is fitted with flat blades C 1; which are also made to
contract and expand by wheels and screws in the same manuer as
Nos 1, and 2; the blade fins of this propeller are neither twisted as
No. 1, nor made to adjust themselves to their working angle as described
of No. 2, but emerge from the propeller case at their working angle,
and consequently require a thicker propeller case, No. 4, propeller differs
materially from the others, being fitted with fin blades d 4, which are

page_text: not intended to be drawn into the propeller case; this fin blades are
attached to fin stems 5, which are placed on bearings at equal radial
distances in the propeller case; on the central ends of the fin stems
are small nibs & 6, for adjusting the proper obliquity of the fin blades
d 4, and by contact against the internal face of the propeller case support
the fin blades against the pressure of the water. It will be seen by the
Drawing (6,) that this description of fin blades is self-adjusting whichever
way the driving shaft turns; one side of the nibs & 6, being regulated
to a coarse pitch of obliquity to be used when the vessel is receiving
assistance from either wind or tide, the engine turning say from east
to west; the other side of the nib is to be regulated to a finer or more
acute pitch of obliquity, in order to give the propeller increased power
against head winds, strong currents, et cetera; the action of the engine
being reversed, and moving west, to east. The extreme central end of
each fin stem is squared, the faces being parallel when the propeller is
in action with the sides of the propeller case, and at right angles with
the driving shaft. d 7, is the lock flange; it is fixed on the end of the
internal shaft R, by which it is actuated; it acts against the square
surfaces of the fin stems, and is for the purpose of locking the fins only
when it is necessary to put the vessel. aback, for when the vessel is
under sail, moving forward by the action of its propeller, or at anchor,
the projecting parts of the periphery of the lock flange should be turned
to the intermediate spaces 8, in order to allow the fins freedom to
move to the action of the water; they are then at liberty between their
two points of action, and can adjust themselves in parallel lines with the
driving shaft and keel. Figures 1 and 2, side elevation and inverted
plan of improved form of vessel, with straight bow lines, waist lines, but-
tock lines, and tail lines, covered deck, et cetera. Figures 3, and 4, side
elevation and inverted plan of improved form of vessel, with waved bow
lines, waist lines, buttock lines, and tail lines, covered deck, et cetera.
Figures 5, and 6, side elevation and inverted plan of improved form of
vessel, with curved bow lines, waist lines,buttock lines,and tail lines,covered
deck, et cetera. Figure 7, side view of a broad-decked vessel, shewing
new form of buttocks and improved propeller. Figure 8, longitudinal
section of Figure 7. Figure 9, deck plan of Figure 7. Figure 13,

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stern view of Figure 7, shewing the improvements below the wate
line. Figure 14, side view of stern part of Figure 7. Figure 15, side
view of an elliptical formed vessel, with improved bow and buttock lines,
covered deck, telescope masts, and propeller space. Figure 16, longi-
tudinal section of Figure 1. Figure 17, deck plan of Figure 15.
Figure 18, transverse section of Figure 15. Figure 19, stern view of
Figure 15. Figure 20, stem view of Figure 15. Figure 21, stern
part of Figure 15. Figure 25, side view of a narrow-decked elliptical
built vessel for freight, with improved bow and buttock lines. Figure 26,
longitudinal section of Figure 25. Figure 27, deck plan of Figure 25.
Figure 28, stem view of a vessel on the elliptical principle, with covered
deck, the transverse axis of the ellipsis being placed longitudinally, to
obtain a greater breadth of beam. Figure 29, stern view of Figure 25.
Figure 30, transverse section of Figure 25. Figure 31, stem view of
Figure 25 Figure 32, sectional plan of No. 1, propeller.
edge view of No. 1, propeller, as seen in the propeller space.
section of No. 1, propeller. Figure 35, group of No.
fin blades. Figure 36, sectional plan of No. 2, propeller.
edge view of No. 2, propeller, as seen in the propeller space.
group of No. 2, propeller fin blades. Figure 39, sectional plan of
No. 3, propeller. Figure 40, section of No. 3, propeller case. Figure
41. section of No. 3, propeller. Figure 42, edge view of No. 3, pro-
peller. Figure 43, group of No. 3, propeller fin blades. Figure 44,
sectional plan of No. 4, propeller. Figure 45, section of No. 4,
propeller, with its fins in action. Figures 46, & 47, plan of No. 4,
propeller fins at rest, shewing vacuum tubes.
Figure 33,
Figure 34,
1, propeller
Figure 37,
Figure 38,
Having now described the nature and advantages of my Invention,
and also a way in which it can be practised or performed, I wish it to
be understood that I do not confine myself to any exact form or
dimensions for constructing any of the different parts, neither do I
confine myself to the details herein described, so long as the peculiar
character or principle of my Invention be retained. But what I claim
is, First, I claim the mode of constructing ships and vessels on the
principle and in the style or manner and for such like purposes are
herein described as the first part of this Invention. Secondly, I claim

page_text: the mode of using ships and vessels having circular ends abaft the
main hold; with transverse propeller space, fin spaces; and conical tail,
herein described by the buttock, tail, and waist lines in the first part of
this Invention. Thirdly, I claim the mode of constructing ships and
vessels on the principle and in the style or manner and for such like
purposes as are herein described as the second part of this Invention.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of using ships and vessels built with narrow
side external gangways, curved covered decks, and bulk bow lines, - herein
described in the second part of this Invention. Fifthly, 1 claim the
mode of constructing propellers on the principle and in the style and
manner and for such like purposes as are herein described as the third
part of this Invention. Sixthly, I claim the mode of using ship pro-
pellers, with expanding blades and self-adjusting fius, for such like
purposes as are herein described in the third part of this Invention.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of using an internal shaft through the main
driving propeller shaft, for the purpose of actuating the means which
may be employed for expanding, contracting, regulating, and fixing the
fin blades herein described in the third part of this Invention. And,
eighthly, I claim the mode of using air feeders or tubes, herein called
vacuum tubes, for the purpose of supplying air to the central vacuum
which is produced by the centrifugal action of the revolving propeller
case, herein described in the third part of this Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Burch, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
by the said Joseph Burch
in the presence of
WILLIAM BROOKES.
JOSEPH BURCH.
(L.S.)