IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER SHIPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Humphrys, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER SHIPS."
Sealed the 28th May 1878, and dated the 29th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Humphrys at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1877.
JAMES HUMPHRYS, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster.
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER SHIPS."
"IM-
This Invention relates to a novel or improved mode of constructing ships which
are built up of iron, steel, or other metal plates, angle irons, and bars.
Hitherto ships of this class have been generally constructed with frames, floors,
keelsons, stringers, and beams forming a skeleton, on which flat external plates
composing the skin are attached, and thus making the fabric of the ship.
The mode of attachment is usually performed by hand rivetting, it being
extremely difficult to apply or use any mechanical appliance for the purpose.
Now, my Invention consists in a novel mode of construction by the use of
flanged plates in conjunction with angle irons, stringers, keelsons, and beams, in
lieu of the ordinary mode above described, the joints or meeting flanges of the said
plates being so disposed either longitudinally, vertically, diagonally, or otherwise,
that mechanical rivetting can be readily applied. By this method of construction
the expensive process of bending the frames and floor is obviated, and hand
rivetting reduced to a minimum, and a more rapid and economical construction is
thereby obtained.
This Invention is also applicable to composite ships.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Humphrys in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th May
1878.
JAMES HUMPHRYS, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER SHIPS."
This Invention relates to a novel or improved mode of constructing ships
which are built up of iron, steel, or other metal plates, angle irons, and bars.
Hitherto ships of this class have been generally constructed with frames, floors,
keelsons, stringers, and beams forming a skeleton, on which flat external plates
composing the skin are attached, and thus making the fabric of the ship.
The mode of attachment is usually performed by hand rivetting, it being
extremely difficult to apply or use any mechanical appliance for the purpose.
Now my Invention consists in a novel mode of construction by the use of flanged
plates in conjunction with angle irons, stringers, keelsons, and beams, in lieu of the
ordinary mode above described, the joints or meeting flanges of the said plates
being so disposed either longitudinally, vertically, diagonally, or otherwise, that
mechanical rivetting can be readily applied.
And in order that my said Invention may be well understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, reference being made to the accompanying
Drawing, like letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in both Figures.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a ship constructed according to my Invention,
and Figure 2 a part longitudinal sectional elevation of the same.
In this arrangement a series of strong and rigid frames A, each composed of a
bottom transverse beam, and two side pillars are erected at suitable distances apart
throughout the entire length of the ship to be constructed, and are connected
together longitudinally by suitable ties or bracings B, the whole surmounted (or
not) by a roof C, and forming a permanent building or workshop. D, D, are over-
head cranes mounted on the upper inside faces of the side pillars of the frames A,
and capable of swinging over the ship to be constructed, as shewn. In the frames
A are fitted suitable packings or fillings E, made up to the form of the transverse
section of the body or skin of the ship at the respective positions where the said
frames occur, and in the aggregate forming a complete skeleton mould of the ship.
On the packings or fillings E are marks a, a, being the exact levels from which
offsets or lines will strike the joints or meeting flanges of the shell plates b, b, which
in this case are arranged longitudinally, as shewn.
Commencing from the keel, the longitudinal flanged plates b, b, are laid in the
packings or fillings E of the frames A, and their joints or meeting flanges being
made to coincide with the said offsets or lines a, a, are rivetted together by means
of mechanical riveters F worked by hydraulic power, as shewn, or otherwise as
found most convenient, and suspended by blocks and chains from the cranes D, D,
in such a manner that their positions are rapidly and easily shifted, according to the
requirements of the work, or the mechanical rivetters F may be shifted and
manipulated in any other suitable manner. The outer skin of the ship is thus
built up to the required form, suitable strength for the bottom is obtained by
longitudinal keelsons or girders G, to which it is preferred to attach a double
bottom H formed of flanged plates c, c, the decks are also formed of longitudinal
flanged plates I, and transverse stiffening for the shell, and support to the decks are
obtained by introducing at suitable intervals frames K and beams L, rivetted to
the shell, deck plating, and each other, and supported by stanchions M. By this
method of construction the expensive process of bending the frames and floors is
dispensed with, and by the employment of mechanical rivetters in lieu of by hand
the rivetting can be readily and economically effected. The general construction
will also be carried on much more expeditiously and cheaply than by the ordinary
mode of shipbuilding, the amount of shoring, ribboning, and staging is much

page_text: reduced, and a stronger and lighter fabric produced than by the present generally
accepted types of shipbuilding.
The Invention is also applicable to composite ships.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, constructing ships with flanged plates arranged either longitudinally,
vertically, diagonally, or otherwise, in combination with stringers, keelsons, floors,
frames, and beams, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Humphrys, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
1878.
JAMES HUMPHRYS. (L.S.)