IMPROVE- MENTS IN DISCHARGING PROJECTILES BELOW THE WATER LINE OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Parsons Beley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th March
1863.
I, GEORGE PARSONS BELEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DISCHARGING PROJECTILES BELOW THE WATER LINE OF NAVIGABLE
VESSELS AND OTHER STRUCTURES," to be as follows (that is to say):-
The said improvements for discharging projectiles below the water line of
navigable vessels, marine forts, and other analogous structures, consist of
a circular or other suitably shaped port-hole formed in the side of the vessel or
other structure at the required depth below the water line, of greater area
than the gun, shell, rocket, or other projectile intended to be used, this port
being fitted on the outside by a suitable cover, jointed or attached thereto in
such a way as when closed to be flush with the outside of the ship or other
structure, and which can be kept closed by a chain, catch, bolt, or other
mechanical equivalent connected to the inside of the cover, and which can be
operated upon from the interior. Within the thickness of the side of the ship
or other structure is fitted a second door or sliding mantlet, which also entirely
closes the port opening, which is so constructed that it will close with its
own gravity when so required. The inside of the ship or other structure is

page_text: also provided with a third door or cover fitted similar to the last-described
sliding port cover, or it may be mounted upon hinges or any other convenient
way, and which may be held up by a catch, which, upon being, liberated, will
allow the door to close over the orifice of the port. In the centre of this last
door or cover a small door is fitted, so that in case of anything preventing the
closing of the outer or centre doors, the inner door could be closed, and the
small door in it opened to allow a man's hand and arm to be inserted through
it to remove the obstruction. The opening of the small door may be partially
covered by a sheet of india-rubber or other clastic material, so as to fit close
round the arm of the operator, to prevent unnecessary leakage. When a cannon,
rocket, or other projectile is to be fired through the port, a tube of iron or
other suitable material closed at the outer end, and of such a length as may
be found desirable, and so constructed as to exactly fit the contour of the port,
is used. This tube is inserted into the port beyond the position occupied by
the inner and centre covers to the back of the outer cover, which remains
closed until the tube is pushed forward, by the act of which the catch or other
fastening on the outer port is relieved when it is forced open by the outer end
of the tube, and is so held until the removal of the tube, when the outer port
can close by its own action, or by a chain or other mechanical equivalent
which may be attached to the gun-carriage, so as to be acted upon by the
recoil of the gun after discharging. The tube being pushed out to the
required distance, the muzzle of the gun or the end of the rocket or other
projectile is inserted into the inner end of the tube, and the chain from the
outer door may then, if desired, be attached to the carriage of the gun, and the
centre door allowed to drop gently down until it rests on the top of the tube.
Upon the
gun, rocket, or other projectile being fired, the explosion will drive
out the tube, and the recoil of the gun-carriage, when a cannon is used, will
close the outer door by the action of the recoil, and the centre door being
deprived of its support will instantly close by its own action. To cause the
tube to be blown out with greater certainty an internal flange or ridge is formed
inside thereof, about three-fourths of the way along, leaving room in the centre
for the shot to pass, so that the pressure of the gases acting on the internal
flange will force out the tube and blow it seaward. To make a perfect joint.
between the edges of the port and the tube it is proposed to insert between
the doors hollow circles or coils of india-rubber or other flexible material filled
with water or other suitable liquid from a pipe or tube connected therewith,
and which may be carried upwards to any required height to give the needful
pressure. And in some cases the gun itself may be so constructed as to be
inserted through the port-hole and dispense with the use of the tube, the muzzlo

page_text: of the gun being closed with a suitable water-tight wad or cover. In some
cases it is proposed to form the tube fitted on to the muzzle of the gun or in
the port of sufficient strength and weight to form the projectile itself, and
which may be constructed with a shell or otherwise, and in which case it is
preferred to fit a piston rod to the interior of the tube running down the centre
of its axis, and the inner end of which carries a disc or piston which rests on
the face of the wad in front of the charge, and in some cases it may be found
of advantage to insert a charge of rocket powder in the fore end of the tube
to form an additional propelling power and to prevent the water entering the
tube during its flight.