Adapted for Subaqueous Use.
Year: 1886

page_text: Adapted for Subaqueous Use. .
.
I, RICHARD WATKINS, of 6 Chepstow Place, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, Eugineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to vessels provided with self-contained means for pro-
pulsion, and adapted for use either upon or beneath the surface of the water.
For rendering a vessel of this kind suitable for subaqueous use, I construct its
hull in such a manner that the volume or displacement thereof may, within
suitable limits, be readily varied; the depth at which it floats relatively to the
surface of the water being thereby regulated. With this object, I form the hull in
three sections, the two terminal portions being arranged to slide upon or within
the central section. Means are provided whereby portions of either or both of the
terminal sections of the hull may be extended or protruded from, or retracted upon
or within, the central section; the joint being rendered watertight in any known
and efficient manner. To facilitate construction under such circumstances, I prefer
to give the vessel a circular form of cross section. As the terminal sections are
extended or retracted, as before described, the displacement and consequently the
buoyancy of the vessel are increased or diminished. By this means of varying
displacement, the general configuration of the vessel is preserved and resistance to
its longitudinal motion through the water is not seriously affected.
•
The motor, which may be of any known kind and worked by steam, compressed
air, electricity or other agent, is by preference located in the central section of the
longitudinally expansible hull; the connection with the propellor or propellors
or other propulsive appliances being, if necessary, of a telescopic or equivalent
character.
The upper portion of the central section may be furnished with a conning-tower;
and for purposes of observation, glass-protected apertures may be provided. Sucb

page_text: a vessel, besides being applicable for use for subaqueous exploration and other
diving purposes, may be furnished with means for discharging torpedoes or con-
ducting other offensive operations.
For directing the course of the vessel, both vertical and normally horizontal
rudders may be employed; but as additional means for controlling the course
relatively to the level of the water surface, I prefer to render the before described
extensible ends or terminal sections of the hull capable of independent longitudinal
actuation; so that one of the said terminal sections may be extended or retracted
to a greater extent than the other, thereby shifting the centre of buoyancy in
relation to the centre of gravity of the entire vessel.
1032
G. G..M.
Agent for the Applicant,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
HARDINGHAM,

page_text: Adapted for Subaqueous Use.
I, RICHARD WATKINS, of 4, St. Aubyn's Road, Upper Norwood, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained.
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to vessels provided with self-contained means for pro-
pulsion and adapted for use either upon or beneath the surface of the water.
For rendering a vessel of this kind suitable for subaqueous use, I construct its
hull in such a manner that the volume or displacement thereof may, within
suitable limits, be readily varied; the depth at which it floats relatively to the
surface of the water being thereby regulated. With this object, I form the hull in.
three sections, as represented in the accompanying drawings, whereof Figure 1 is a
side elevation and Figure 2 a plan view; the two terminal portions a and b being
arranged to slide upon or within the central section c. Means are provided
whereby portions of either or both of the terminal sections a and b may be
extended or protruded from, or retracted upon or within, the central section c;
the joints at a¹ and b¹ respectively being rendered water-tight in any known and
efficient manner. The extended and retracted positions of the parts are respectively
indicated by the dotted and solid lines.
To facilitate construction, I prefer to give the vessel a circular form of cross
section, as indicated in Figure 3. As the terminal sections are extended or
retracted, the displacement and consequently the buoyancy of the vessel are
increased or diminished. By this means of varying displacement, the general
configuration of the vessel is preserved and resistance to its longitudinal motion
through the water is not seriouly affected.
The motor, which may be of any known kind and worked by steam, compressed
air, electricity or other agent, is by preference located in the central section c; the
connection with the propeller, propellers, or other propulsive appliances being, in
the present illustration, of a telescopic or equivalent character; although this
arrangement is not essential. In the accompanying illustration, d d are twin
propellers whereof the arrangement and method of connection with their motor
or motors are such as to permit of the same relative positions between the
propellers d d, rudder d¹ and adjacent portion of the vessel a, being constantly
maintained..
The upper portion of the central section c may be furnished with a conning
tower at e, in which, for purposes of observation, glazed appertures may be pro-
vided. The position of the funnel is indicated at f. Both the conning tower and
the funnel may be arranged in such a manner as to permit of their being partly or
wholly withdrawn within the body of the vessel.
A vessel of the kind described, besides being applicable for use for subaqueous
exploration and other diving purposes, may be furnished with means for dis-
charging torpedoes or conducting other offensive operations.

page_text: For directing the course of the vessel, both normally vertical and normally
horizontal rudders may be employed; but as additional means for controlling the
course relatively to the level of the water surface, I prefer to render the before
described extensible ends or terminal sections a and b capable of independent
longitudinal actuation; so that one of the said terminal sections may be extended
or retracted to a greater extent than the other, thereby shifting the centre of
buoyancy in relation to the centre of gravity of the entire vessel.
The sectional elevation Figure 5 and transverse section Figure 6 represent, to an
enlarged scale, a portion of a longitudinally extensible vessel provided with one
type of mechanism applicable for effecting such extension. c is the main body of
the vessel and b the terminal chamber to be projected. The chamber b slides upon
the body of the vessel c at b¹, and is provided with a shaft k carried in the
bearings c¹, supported by means of ribs c' extending from the body of the vessel c.
The shaft k is screw-threaded at 7 and works in a nut kª carried in bearings c³
supported from the body of the vessel c. To the nut k is secured a worm-wheel h
with which gears a worm g driven from the main engines, or by independent
means, if preferred.
In conjunction with or instead of employing a worm and worm-wheel, or
equivalent mechanical device, for extending and retracting a terminal chamber
Buch as b, one or more cylinders worked with hydraulic or other fluid pressure
may be employed. Where several such cylinders are used, I prefer to arrange
them at equal intervals around the interior of the vessel in proximity to the part
marked b; their plungers being attached to and operating the terminal chamber b.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :—
The improved method of and means for regulating the displacement and
buoyancy of vessels adapted for subaqueous use, substantially as herein described;
such method consisting in varying the length of such vessels, whilst preserving the
general character of their configuration.