CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELIJAH
GALLOWAY, late of Seymour Street, Euston Square, in the Parish of Saint
Pancras, in the County of Middlesex, but now of Union Place, City Road, in
the said County, Civil Engineer.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of Great Britain, dated at Westminster, the Twenty-
fifth day of May last, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, did grant unto me,
the said Elijah Galloway, my executors, administrators, and assigns, by myself
and themselves, or by my or their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or
such others as I, the said Elijah Galloway, should at any time agree with, and
as often from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within Eng-
land, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Elijah Galloway, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Elijah Galloway, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the numbers and letters of reference marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My improvements consist,-First, of improved methods of increasing the
rate or velocity of the axes of the propellers beyond that of the axis of the
steam engine.
Secondly, of an improved method of raising the propellers out of the water,
and lowering them into their place to be attached to the driving axis.
I
Thirdly, of an improved form or construction of paddle-wheels.
In reference to the improvement comprised under the first head, I must
explain that it is requisite in giving motion to screw propellers that their
number of revolutions in a given time should be several times greater than
that of the axis of a condensing steam engine. Instead of getting such
increase of velocity by any of the ordinary methods of multiplying motions,
propose to produce the same by the arrangements illustrated by Figures 1,
2, 3, and 4, which my be thus explained:-I must begin by referring to
Figure 1, which, though containing some portion of the principle of this
arrangement, is here given to illustrate the method of producing the requisite
form of a portion of the apparatus rather than the instrument itself which I
propose generally to use. a and b are two toothed wheels (the latter being
of the kind commonly known as an internal toothed wheel). Now if
these wheels revolved upon axes in the usual way, a would make an entire
revolution whilst 6 made only some portion of a revolution; but if b, instead
of revolving upon an axis, be suspended upon three cranks (c, c, c,) of equal
lengths, and the radii of which are respectively equal to one half the dif-
ference between the diameters of the two wheels (calculating such diameters
from the pitch lines), and if the whole apparatus be at first in the position
indicated by the Drawing, then by causing a to revolve it will be found that
the cranks (c, c, c,) (and consequently their axes,) will make three revo-
lutions during the time that the inner wheel (a) makes one revolution. So if
the proportionate diameters differ, say as two or three, or four to five, or any
other integral proportions, and the lengths of the cranks (c, c, c,) be determined
according to the rule I have given, then the cranks will always make as many
more revolutions than the axis of a as the diameter of the driving wheel (a)
is to the difference between the diameter of the two wheels. But I propose
in most cases, as I have stated, instead of using toothed wheels, to adopt the
arrangement shewn at Figures 2, 3, and 4, which I shall now explain.

page_text: Let it be supposed that three equidistant points (d, d, d, Figure 1,) could trace
their path upon a plate or disc attached to b, and moving therewith; such
path would be four epicycloids dotted thereon; and if to the points d, d, d,
three rollers of equal diameter were affixed, then a figure e, e, e, e, Figure 2,
would be the tangent of the said rollers in every part of their path, or, in
other words, the rollers would trace out the figure e, e, e, e, Figure 2. Such
being the case, it will be manifest that, instead of toothed wheels, we adopt the
arrangement shewn at Figure 2, where d, d, d, are the three rollers affixed to
arms and revolving in bearings, and the figure e, e, e, e, whose interior curve
aperture is generated upon the principle I have explained, then, on motion
being given to the main axis, the cranks dotted at c, c, c, will make three
revolutions for one of the main axis; and if the figure e, e, e, e, be accurately
constructed, and the cranks truly proportioned, the action of the machine will
be comparatively smooth and noiseless. In like manner, if the circles or
wheels a and b be in their diameters as two to three, the figure f, f, f,
Figure 3, would be generated; and by attaching the two rollers to the axis, as
there shewn, the velocity of the main axis would be to the crank axes as two
to one. Or if the diameters of a and b be as four and five, the figure g, I, I,
Figure 4, would be generated; and by constructing the apparatus as shewn at
Figure 4, the relative velocities of the main axis and crank axes will be as 4 to 1.
I would further observe, that in whatever proportion the multiplication be
effected, it is necessary that the number of the rollers and of the epicycloids should
be respectively equal to the number of times the generating circles can be divided
by the difference between the two diameters. It will also be manifest that the
multiplication effected by this method does not admit of fractional quantities,
but must always be in integral proportions. I must further explain, that if one
propeller only is intended to be used, one only of the three crank axes must be
prolonged for that purpose; but if two propellers are intended to be applied,
then two of the crank axes should be similarly prolonged. It is further
necessary to explain that the arrangement of this contrivance may be changed
by attaching the driving axis to the epicyeloidal figure, and the cranks to the
part to which the rollers are attached, in which .case the proportion of the
multiplication will be also changed, so that the cranks of Figure 2 would
make three revolutions instead of two, those of Figure 3 would make four
revolutions instead of three, and those of Figure 4 would make five revo-
lutions instead of four.
And further, under the improvements contemplated by the first head, I
propose, when straps or bands are used for the purpose of multiplying the
motion of the screw axis, to adopt the following means for preventing such

page_text: straps or bands from slipping upon their respective drums or riggers; that is
to say, I propose to pierce the periphery of the drums with a number of small
holes, into which are to be secured or driven a number of minute steel pins,
their points outward, and radiating from the axis. Those pins must be from
an eighth to a quarter of an inch above the surface, and have very fine points.
I propose also to line the bands or belts with some woven or plaited. texture,
similar, for instance, to the fabric used for horse-girths. This fabric should
rather exceed in thickness the projecting length of the steel pins, and must
be served throughout to the belt or strap itself. It will be evident, therefore,
that on motion being given to the drums these pins will be forced into the
fabric lining the belts, and that the tendency to slip will be opposed by each
of them holding firmly therein.
The improvements comprised under the second head are represented by
Figures 5 and 6, and are thus explained:-Figure 5 is an isometrical per-
spective view of the after part of a vessel, with one of the propellers, (for this
improvement is only conveniently applicable where two propellers are used,) in
place and connected with the driving axis; and Figure 6 is a horizontal section
of the bearings and screw. h, i, are two bearing frames firmly affixed to the
vessel; is the screw axis; and w is the screw (which may either be of the form
known by the name of the Archimedean screw, or any other propeller whose
motion through the water is helical or spiral; k is a bow capable of turning freely
on the axis, as will be seen by the section. To the enlarged ends of this bow
there are attached two chains 1, l, will pass through the apertures m, m, in the
bearing frame, and thence through a hawse pipe (n), and so on to the capstan
of the vessel or any other suitable purchase, observing that the said pipe shall
be carried internally high enough above the water-line to avoid an influx of
water. At the after end of the screw axis there is a collar o, to which is
attached the shackle and chain p, the collar being sufficiently loose on the axis
to allow it to revolve freely therein. The driving axis q is capable of being
projected from or drawn into the interior, and its outer end is square or
polygonal, fitting into the recess ? of the screw axis, thus forming a coupling,
so that when the axis q is turned the screw must necessarily turn therewith.
The axis passes through a suitable stuffing-box, and when projected from within
has a short intermediate piece inserted between it and the preceeding length to
form the coupling complete, all which will be readily understood by engineers.
The machinery being in place as shewn at Figure 5, I will proceed to
explain the method of detaching the propeller, and raising it out of the
water. The intermediate length in the interior being first removed, then, by
heaving on the chains 1, 1, the shaft q, together with the bow and screws, will

page_text: all be drawn forward until the after end of the axis is clear of the after
bearings, and rests upon the horns t. The after chain p is then wound up, so
as to raise the propeller to about an angle of forty-five degrees. The two
forward chains 1, 1, are then slackened out, and the after chain wound up as
nearly uniformly as possible, so as to keep the screw axis in a state of tension,
and thereby prevent it shaking or rocking about in a sea way; and this ope-
ration is thus continued until the end of the shaft is close up to the davit u, in
which position the screw may be further secured. To replace the screw this
operation must obviously be merely reversed, being first lowered by heaving
upon the chains 1, 1, until the ends of the bow k rest upon the mouth-like
cavities of m, m.
The after chain is slackened out until the after end of the
axis falls into and rests between the horns t. The shaft q is then pushed
outwards until it is coupled to the screw axis, and until the after end of the
said axis is inserted into the after bearing s, when the whole is ready to be set
in motion by the engine.
And further, Figures 7 and 8 represent my improved paddle-wheel, which
I shall next describe. It is well known that steam vessels, when fitted with
paddle-wheels, and deeply laden, cause such wheels to be inconveniently
immersed in the water, and thereby to retard the motion of the engines, and
consequently that of the vessel. To reduce the loss from this cause I propose
to construct the paddle-wheels (especially those intended for long voyages and
of varying cargoes) as shewn in Figures 7 and 8. The wheel consists of
four sets of arms and rims; two, r1, 1, fixed to the shaft, and two fixed to
the hollow axis s 1, s 1. It will be apparent, therefore, that by moving the
hollow axis s 1, s 1, all the parts attached thereto, namely, the rims and arms
and the paddles ti, ti, shewn by the parts tinted blue in the Figures 7 and 8,
may be either closed, so as to assume the position shewn at Figure 8, or
expanded to the position of Figure 7, or may be placed in any intermediate
position. To effect this adjustment there are two screws u 1, u 1, connected
by wheels v1, which cause the two screws to move simultaneously, so that
by turning the wheels vi the screws cause the paddle-wheel to expand and
contract at pleasure.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I lay no claim to
any part of the machinery herein described, excepting the parts or portions
comprised under the following descriptions; namely,―
Firstly, I claim as my Invention the improved method of increasing the
velocity of the propellers or propeller beyond. that of the engine shaft repre-
sented by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and herein-before described.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the method herein described of preventing bands or straps
from slipping on the drums or riggers.
Thirdly, I claim the arrangement or combination of instruments for raising
and lowering, and of attaching and detaching screw propellers, shewn at
Figures 5 and 6.
And, fourthly, I claim the method of adjusting paddle wheels herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elijah Galloway, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELIJAH
GALLOWAY, late of Seymour Street, Euston Square, in the Parish of Saint
Pancras, in the County of Middlesex, but now of Union Place, City Road, in
the said County, Civil Engineer.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of Great Britain, dated at Westminster, the Twenty-
fifth day of May last, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, did grant unto me,
the said Elijah Galloway, my executors, administrators, and assigns, by myself
and themselves, or by my or their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or
such others as I, the said Elijah Galloway, should at any time agree with, and
as often from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within Eng-
land, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Elijah Galloway, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Elijah Galloway, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the numbers and letters of reference marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My improvements consist,-First, of improved methods of increasing the
rate or velocity of the axes of the propellers beyond that of the axis of the
steam engine.
Secondly, of an improved method of raising the propellers out of the water,
and lowering them into their place to be attached to the driving axis.
Thirdly, of an improved form or construction of paddle-wheels.
In reference to the improvement comprised under the first head, I must
explain that it is requisite in giving motion to screw propellers that their
number of revolutions in a given time should be several times greater than
that of the axis of a condensing steam engine. Instead of getting such
increase of velocity by any of the ordinary methods of multiplying motions,
I propose to produce the same by the arrangements illustrated by Figures 1,
2, 3, and 4, which my be thus explained:-I must begin by referring to
Figure 1, which, though containing some portion of the principle of this
arrangement, is here given to illustrate the method of producing the requisite
form of a portion of the apparatus rather than the instrument itself which I
propose generally to use. a and b are two toothed wheels (the latter being
of the kind commonly known as an internal toothed wheel). Now if
these wheels revolved upon axes in the usual way, a would make an entire
revolution whilst 6 made only some portion of a revolution; but if b, instead
of revolving upon an axis, be suspended upon three cranks (c, c, c,) of equal
lengths, and the radii of which are respectively equal to one half the dif-
ference between the diameters of the two wheels (calculating such diameters
from the pitch lines), and.if the whole apparatus be at first in the position
indicated by the Drawing, then by causing a to revolve it will be found that
the cranks (c, c, c,) (and consequently their axes,) will make three revo-
lutions during the time that the inner wheel (a) makes one revolution. So if
the proportionate diameters differ, say as two or three, or four to five, or any
other integral proportions, and the lengths of the cranks (c, c, c,) be determined
according to the rule I have given, then the cranks will always make as many
more revolutions than the axis of a as the diameter of the driving wheel (a)
is to the difference between the diameter of the two wheels. But I propose
in most cases, as I have stated; instead of using toothed wheels, to adopt the
arrangement shewn at Figures 2, 3, and 4, which I shall now explain.

page_text: Let it be supposed that three equidistant points (d, d, d, Figure 1,) could trace
their path upon a plate or disc attached to b, and moving therewith; such
path would be four epicycloids dotted thereon; and if to the points, d, d, d,
three rollers of equal diameter were affixed, then a figure e, e, e, e, Figure 2,
5 would be the tangent of the said rollers in every part of their path, or, in
other words, the rollers would trace out the figure e, e, e, e, Figure 2. Such
being the case, it will be manifest that, instead of toothed wheels, we adopt the
arrangement shewn at Figure 2, where d, d, d, are the three rollers affixed to
arms and revolving in bearings, and the figure e, e, e, e, whose interior curve
aperture is generated upon the principle I have explained, then, on motion
being given to the main axis, the cranks dotted at c, c, c, will make three
revolutions for one of the main axis; and if the figure e, e, e, e, be accurately
constructed, and the cranks truly proportioned, the action of the machine will
be comparatively smooth and noiseless. In like manner, if the circles or
wheels a and b be in their diameters as two to three, the figure f, f, f,
Figure 3, would be generated; and by attaching the two rollers to the axis, as
there shewn, the velocity of the main axis would be to the crank axes as two
to one. Or if the diameters of a and b be as four and five, the figure g, 9, 9,
Figure 4, would be generated; and by constructing the apparatus as shewn at
Figure 4, the relative velocities of the main axis and crank axes will be as 4 to 1.
I would further observe, that in whatever proportion the multiplication be
effected, it is necessary that the number of the rollers and of the epicycloids should
be respectively equal to the number of times the generating circles can be divided
by the difference between the two diameters. It will also be manifest that the
multiplication effected by this method does not admit of fractional quantities,
but must always be in integral proportions. I must further explain, that if one
propeller only is intended to be used, one only of the three crank axes must be
prolonged for that purpose; but if two propellers are intended to be applied,
then two of the crank axes should be similarly prolonged. It is further
necessary to explain that the arrangement of this contrivance may be changed
by attaching the driving axis to the epicyeloidal figure, and the cranks to the
part to which the rollers are attached, in which case the proportion of the
multiplication will be also changed, so that the cranks of Figure 2 would
make three revolutions instead of two, those of Figure 3 would make four
revolutions instead of three, and those of Figure 4 would make five revo-
lutions instead of four.
And further, under the improvements contemplated by the first head, I
propose, when straps or bands are used for the purpose of multiplying the
motion of the screw axis, to adopt the following means for preventing such

page_text: straps or bands from slipping upon their respective drums or riggers; that is
to say,
I propose to pierce the periphery of the drums with a number of small
holes, into which are to be secured or driven a number of minute steel pins,
their points outward, and radiating from the axis. Those pins must be from
an eighth to a quarter of an inch above the surface, and have very fine points.
I propose also to line the bands or belts with some woven or plaited. texture,
similar, for instance, to the fabric used for horse-girths. This fabric should
rather exceed in thickness the projecting length of the steel pins, and must
be served throughout to the belt or strap itself. It will be evident, therefore,
that on motion being given to the drums these pins will be forced into the
fabric lining the belts, and that the tendency to slip will be opposed by each
of them holding firmly therein.
The improvements comprised under the second head are represented by
Figures 5 and 6, and are thus explained:-Figure 5 is an isometrical per-
spective view of the after part of a vessel, with one of the propellers, (for this
improvement is only conveniently applicable where two propellers are used,) in
place and connected with the driving axis; and Figure 6 is a horizontal section
of the bearings and screw. h, i, are two bearing frames firmly affixed to the
vessel; j is the screw axis; and w is the screw (which may either be of the form
known by the name of the Archimedean screw, or any other propeller whose
motion through the water is helical or spiral; k is a bow capable of turning freely
on the axis, as will be seen by the section. To the enlarged ends of this bow
there are attached two chains 1, l, will pass through the apertures m, m, in the
bearing frame, and thence through a hawse pipe (n), and so on to the capstan
of the vessel or any other suitable purchase, observing that the said pipe shall
be carried internally high enough above the water-line to avoid an influx of
water. At the after end of the screw axis there is a collar o, to which is
attached the shackle and chain p, the collar being sufficiently loose on the axis
to allow it to revolve freely therein. The driving axis is capable of being
projected from or drawn into the interior, and its outer end is square of
polygonal, fitting into the recess of the screw axis, thus forming a coupling,
so that when the axis q is turned the screw must necessarily turn therewith.
The axis passes through a suitable stuffing-box, and when projected from within
has a short intermediate piece inserted between it and the preceeding length to
form the coupling complete, all which will be readily understood by engineers."
The machinery being in place as shewn at Figure 5, I will proceed to
explain the method of detaching the propeller, and raising it out of the
water. The intermediate length in the interior being first removed, then, by
heaving on the chains 1, l, the shaft q, together with the bow and screws, will

page_text: all be drawn forward until the after end of the axis is clear of the after
bearings, and rests upon the horns t. The after chain p is then wound up, so
as to raise the propeller to about an angle of forty-five degrees. The two
forward chains 1, 1, are then slackened out, and the after chain wound up as
nearly uniformly as possible, so as to keep the screw axis in a state of tension,
and thereby prevent it shaking or rocking about in a sea way; and this ope-
ration is thus continued until the end of the shaft is close up to the davit u, in
which position the screw may be further secured. To replace the screw this
operation must obviously be merely reversed, being first lowered by heaving
upon the chains 1, 1, until the ends of the bow k rest upon the mouth-like
cavities of m, m. The after chain is slackened out until the after end of the
axis falls into and rests between the horns t. The shaft q is then pushed
outwards until it is coupled to the screw axis, and until the after end of the
said axis is inserted into the after bearing s, when the whole is ready to be set
in motion by the engine.
9
And further, Figures 7 and 8 represent my improved paddle-wheel, which
I shall next describe. It is well known that steam vessels, when fitted with
paddle-wheels, and deeply laden, cause such wheels to be inconveniently
immersed in the water, and thereby to retard the motion of the engines, and
consequently that of the vessel. To reduce the loss from this cause I propose
to construct the paddle-wheels (especially those intended for long voyages and
of varying cargoes) as shewn in Figures 7 and 8. The wheel consists of
four sets of arms and rims; two, r 1, r 1, fixed to the shaft, and two fixed to
the hollow axis s 1, s 1. It will be apparent, therefore, that by moving the
hollow axis s 1, s1, all the parts attached thereto, namely, the rims and arms
and the paddles ti, ti, shewn by the parts tinted blue in the Figures 7 and 8,
may be either closed, so as to assume the position shewn at Figure 8, or
expanded to the position of Figure 7, or may be placed in any intermediate
position. To effect this adjustment there are two screws u 1, u 1, connected
by wheels v1, which cause the two screws to move simultaneously, so that
by turning the wheels vi the screws cause the paddle-wheel to expand and
contract at pleasure.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I lay no claim to
any part of the machinery herein described, excepting the parts or portions
comprised under the following descriptions; namely,―
Firstly, I claim as my Invention the improved method of increasing the
velocity of the propellers or propeller beyond. that of the engine shaft repre-
sented by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and herein-before described.