IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGERS."
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Simons and Andrew Brown, of Renfrew,
in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers, Founders, and
Shin Builders for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DREDGERS."

page_text: provided for raising the foot of the bucket ladder (a chain and pulleys or rack
and pinion, for instance,) whilst in addition similar means (that is to say, a
second chain and pulleys or rack and pinion,) are provided for lowering the
other end of the ladder and the gearing connected therewith upon deck for
the purpose of lowering the centre of weight and making all snug for sea and
clear for working the sails. This end of the bucket ladder has been hitherto
invariably mounted on fixed bearings supported on a framing at a considerable
distance above the deck. In addition to the dredging machinery the vessel
is fitted with one or two screw propellers driven either by separate engines or
by the dredging engine. The. necessary steam boilers, coal bunkers, and
other parts can be arranged in the lateral spaces between the well and the
outer sides of the vessel. The vessel is provided with rudder, masts, spars,
and canvas for wind propulsion like a sailing vessel or full-rigged screw
steamer, the lower masts being constructed in combination with the shear legs
for lifting the bucket ladder, so as to leave clear spaces centrally for the
dredging apparatus. In such "dredgers" as carry two chains of buckets
(one at each side of the vessel) instead of one central chain only, these chains
with their ladders are to be arranged so as to be capable of being lowered
into a horizontal position and on a level with the deck, or nearly so, when the
vessel is to be navigated in the same manner as described with reference to
the previous arrangement.
As constituting the present Invention, and as novel and original, it is
proposed to claim more particularly the lowering of the upper end of the
bucket ladder of the "dredger" when sailing (such end having been hereto-
fore invariably fixed), and the applying of screws propellers and of mast, spars,
and canvas for sailing to "dredgers," for the express purpose of rendering
them more suitable than hitherto for navigating from place to place, instead
of their being towed by another vessel as-commonly practised.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Simons and Andrew Brown in the Great Seal Patent 3
Office on the 23rd September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
SEMONS, and ANDREW BROWN, of Renfrew, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Engineers, Founders, and Ship Builders, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters 3
Patent, bearing date. the Twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said William Simons; and Andrew Brown, Her special license that we, the
said William Simons and Andrew Brown, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown,
our executors, administrators, or 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 DREDGERS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown,
by an instrument in writing under our 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 we, the, said William Simons and Andrew. Brown,
do hereby declare, the nature of our 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 accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
Our said Invention relates to improvements designed more particularly to
render dredgers more suitable than hitherto for being, sent to distant stations
and for, moving about in various localities without the assistance of other
vessels.
In constructing a dredger, according to these improvements it is proposed
to form the vessel with a-central-well-for-the-endless chain of buckets and
thie supporting ladder such well-interfering as little as possible with the bow
and stern, which with the sides of the vessel are formed upon lines suitable
for-obtaining-the-desired speed under steam or canvas... The usual means
are provided for raising-the-foot-of-the-bucket ladder (a clpin and pulleys
or rack and pinion, for instance,) whilst in addition similar means (that is to
says a secondi chain: and pulleys or rack and pinion,): are provided for
lowering the other end of the ladder and the gearing connected therewith
upon deck for the purpose of lowering the centre of weight and making all
snug for sea and clear for working the sails. This end of the bucket ladder.
has been hitherto invariably mounted on fixed bearings supported on a
framing-at-a-considerable distance above the deck. In addition to the
dredging machinery the vessel is fitted with one or two screw propellers

page_text: driven either by separate engines or by the dredging engines. The necessary
steam boilers, coal bunkers, and other parts can be arranged in the lateral
spaces between the well and the outer sides of the vessel. The vessel is
provided with rudder, masts, spars, and canvas for wind propulsion like a
sailing vessel or full-rigged screw steamer, the lower masts being constructed
in combination with the shear legs for lifting the bucket ladder so as to leave
clear spaces centrally for the dredging apparatus. In such "dredgers" as
carry two chains of buckets (one at each side of the vessel) instead of one
central chain only these chains with their ladders are to be arranged so as
to be capable of being lowered into a horizontal position and on a level with
the deck, or nearly so, when the vessel is to be navigated in the same manner
as described with reference to the previous arrangement.
As constituting the present Invention, and as novel and original, it is
proposed to claim more particularly the lowering of the upper end of the
bucket ladder of the "dredger" when sailing, such end having been hereto-
fore invariably fixed, and the applying thereto of masts in combination with
the shear legs, both of which may be of iron or wood, together with screw
propellers, spars, and canvas for sailing, for the express purpose of rendering
"dredgers" more suitable than hitherto for navigating from place to place,
instead of their being towed by another vessel as commonly practised.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the system, mode, or manner
under which the same may be practically carried into effect, reference being
had for the purpose of more distinct elucidation to the several Figures
upon the explanatory Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended,
and in which similar parts are indicated by corresponding letters of reference,
that is to say :-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of our improved dredger; Figure 2 a deck
plan, corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3, spar plan; Figure 4, transverse
section at the engines; Figure 5, section at the boilers; Figure 6, section at
shears, showing the hoist barrel.
In all the Figures the shears by which the foot of the bucket ladder D is
raised and lowered is marked A, a system of pulleys and chains L being shown
at Figure 1 connecting the two parts together, the ladder B and buckets
being in working position. The main framing C, in which the upper end of the
bucket ladder moves is fitted with slides and double blocks for hoisting and
lowering the ladder, as more particularly seen at C', Figure 3. The chain of
buckets are put in motion from the engines E by means of intermediate bevil
gearing and shafts E', which cause the rotation of the top bucket shaft M.

page_text: When in motion the shute or duet N, Figure 4, is attached to the framing C,
so that the dredged material may be transported into the barges alongside.
The general arrangement of the hull of the dredger is more easily understood.
by referring to Figure 2, in which the portion shown in dotted lines and
marked G represents the portion of the ship divided off for the accomodation
of the men on board; B, the boilers, which, as well as in Figure 5, are shown
situated one on each side of the central well J; K, winches for hoisting and
lowering the top tumbler C₁, and which are worked by gearing from the
engines E, or by hand. On the crank shaft of the engine a large spur
wheel O is fixed for giving motion to the screw F when the vessel is required.
to make way at sea. The masts H are held by sockets in the top of the
main framing C, and the shears A, as seen at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, or they
may be fixed thereto in any other suitable manner, and the top masts may be
either wood or iron.
Having now described the details of our Invention, we shall proceed to
describe the mode of operating with the same as follows:--The dredger
having been propelled either by the aid of the screws or sails, or by the combined
action resulting from the use of both, the screw is taken out of gear with the
engines, and the end of the bucket ladder D is raised in the main framing C
to any required height, whilst the other end of the ladder D is lowered by
means of the blocks and tackle attached to the shears A to the bottom or bed
of the sea or river which is to be dredged. When this is done the engines
are geared with the top bucket shaft in the manner herein-before described,
and the dredging is commenced, the sails being of course furled. It is obvious
that any other means of propulsion may be employed in lieu of single or twin
screws as herein-before described, for instance a pair of paddles.
One advantage gained from the use of a screw in combination, with a
dredger is that the vessel may be slowly propelled while the dredging action
is going on, by which means the necessity of using a hauling rope or chain
is avoided. It is to be understood that it is preferred, when the dredgers
have to travel over great distances, to form the hulls in such a shape that
their lines shall closely approximate to the lines or model of a sea-going steam
ship.
A very important advantage to be gained by the formation of the hulls of
dredgers as previously described is derived from the diminution of insurance
premiums that would be required for the transport to any foreign or distant
port of a dredger constructed under this Invention, as it would accomplish
the navigation with conditions cqually favourable to those of a screw
steamer.

page_text: Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, we
would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The peculiar general arrangement and mode of combining the
parts of dredgers so as to render them seaworthy, weatherly, capable
of riding a storm at sea, and self-propulsive for either ocean or river
navigation, in the manner herein-before described, or any mere modification
thereof.
Second. The construction of the hulls of dredgers with a well or wells
for the reception of the bucket ladder or ladders, when these are lowered as
herein-before described, and shown in the several Figures of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
Third. The use and application to dredgers of a framing in combination
with slides and moveable top tumbler attached to the bucket ladder, together
with apparatus for raising and lowering the same, and the affixing of a
mast to the upper part of this framing, substantially as herein-before
described.
Fourth. The use and application of shear legs with block and tackle for
raising or lowering the lower end of the bucket ladder, in combination with a
mast having the legs disposed as herein-before described, and shown in the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Fifth. The employment and adaptation of the dredger engines for the
purposes of propelling or dredging, either combined or separately, as herein-
before described.
Sixth. The use and application of propelling apparatus in combination with
dredgers of the kind specified and shown in the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Simons and Andrew Brown,
have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Twenty-second day of
September, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.