IMPROVEMENTS IN ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CULTIVATION STORAGE, PACKING, AND CONVEYANCE OF OYSTERS, PARTS OF WHICH APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1882

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Thompson and
Charles William Kitto at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
6th July 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY THOMPSON of Finsbury Circus, and CHARLES WILLIAM KITTO
of Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, London, both in the County of Middlesex,
IMPROVEMENTS IN ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CULTIVATION
STORAGE, PACKING, AND CONVEYANCE OF OYSTERS, PARTS OF WHICH
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES,"
ARE
The object of our invention is to avoid the great loss and mortality which occur
under the present mode of cultivating, storing, and transporting oysters from Foreign
Countries and otherwise and to diminish the cost of cultivating, storing, and
conveying the same, and increase and cheapen their facilities of supply.
Under the modes now adopted, the oysters when brought from long distances
remain a long time without moisture, which causes them to become weak, and many
to die on the passage, and when arrived they are laid or spread upon the oyster
grounds. Should there be any thickness of mud therein, it is liable to get
into the oysters upon their opening to obtain food, when, by reason of their not
being in a vigorous state, they are unable to throw off this mud at once, which
retards their progress, and prevents their getting into a fat and saleable condition,
besides exposing them to a more ready attack by star-fish and other of their natural
enemies.
By means of our invention we are also enabled to utilize waters which are
known to be suitable for the cultivation of oysters, but which, under the present
system of culture cannot commercially be made available in consequence of the
great cost needed for preparing and cleaning the bottom of the grounds before.
laying the oysters thereon.
We are also enabled by means of our invention to very materially economise the
cost of cultivating and storing the oysters, which under the present system. are
spread over the grounds, and after the lapse of the time necessary for fattening,
are then dredged up by hand or by the aid of steam power, which operation causes
[Price 4d1

page_text: considerable damage to the oysters by reason of the dredge coming into contact
with them, and breaking or damaging the aftergrowth upon the shells, and it is
estimated that when 80 per cent of the oysters or thereabouts have been dredged,
it no longer pays to dredge for them, whereas by our invention from the oysters
being placed in their cradles upon the rafts are always accessible and can be taken
off to the last one as required, moreover the rafts can be readily moved from one
part of the coast to another into suitable waters for the purposes of sale or other-
wise, which is also calculated to enable us to prevent excessive mortality, caused by
extreme cold in winter as the oysters may be taken into sufficiently deep water to
prevent the ill effects of severe frosts.
By means of that part of our invention which relates to the packing and con-
veyance of oysters we are not only enabled to diminish or prevent the undue
mortality which now takes place in the transport of oysters from distant parts
but are enabled to deliver them to the public whilst in a fresh and vigorous
condition, whereby their value, both from a sanitary and commercial point of view
is greatly increased, and we are thus enabled if desired to send them from the
United Kingdom to long distances, thus affording greater facilities for the
development of what was at one time an industry of an important character,
and also a means of cheapening the cost of a healthful and useful article of
consumption.
In that part of our invention relating to the cultivation of oysters we employ a
float or raft formed with a suitable number of longitudinal bars or parts made in
a V or other suitable shape so as to form a cradle in which the oysters for storage
or cultivation are to lay; each of the said bars or cradles is arranged with a series
of divisions or partitions of wire or other suitable material in the form of a grating
which permits of the water flowing through them, while they retain or divide the
oysters so as to prevent their rubbing and coming in contact with each other
when the float is in motion by the action of the water on which it floats.
To prevent the oysters being washed from the cradles or seats by the action of
the water they are covered with a covering preferably of netting or a suitable
grating which admits of their being both accessible and visible.
When it is desired that the float should carry more than one tier of oysters we
arrange a series of moveable cradles side by side fitting or resting upon and ranged
one above the other according to the desired height and width, each of the said
moveable cradles are fitted with dividing partitions for preventing the contact of
the oysters as aforesaid.
When it is found desirable to sink the float into deep water we fit or arrange
the same with hollow vessels or pontoons constructed so as to admit of their being
charged with water to increase their specific gravity, causing them to sink; and so
that they may be again raised to the surface, by expelling the water from the
pontoons by means of air under pressure or in any other suitable or convenient
manner.
In that part of our Invention relating to the packing of oysters for transport,
we employ a case or box arranged with moveable partitions, divisions, layers or
trays formed of sponge or spongy matters arranged in any suitable form, so as to
supply the oysters with moisture from the water with which they are charged
while under the operation of packing, and when the moisture has to be stored for
absorbing over a lengthened period the cases are fitted with needle or other
lubricators charged with suitable water and giving it off so as to feed the sponge
partitions, trays, as aforesaid, and keep them in a moist condition. -
The moveable feeding or moisture supplying divisions or layers may be formed
either as trays with netting, or netted bottoms covered with disintegrated sponge
or sponge waste in such a manner as to admit of the moisture having access to
the oysters, or in the form of mats made, combined or wove with disintegrated
sponge.
The sponge or sponge waste when used as above described may be confined

page_text: between two surfaces of netting, may be formed into a mat by weaving with coir
or other suitable thread, twine or cord, or be otherwise conveniently arranged to
secure the desired result.
This plan of keeping moisture in packing boxes or cases may be modified to suit
the carriage of other articles or products requiring moisture or moisture and
coolness to keep them sweet and in good order.