IMPROVEMENTS. IN SHIPS OF WAR AND BATTERIES, AND IN MOUNTING, WORKING, AND COVERING GUES TO BE USED THEREIN
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Walker, of 17, Cowper Street, City Road, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS.
IN SHIPS OF WAR AND BATTERIES, AND IN MOUNTING, WORKING, AND COVERING
GUES TO BE USED THEREIN."
Sealed the 17th February 1865, and dated the 20th August 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Walker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
August 1864.
I, JOHN WALKER, of 17, Cowper Street, City Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OF WAR AND BATTERIES, AND IN MOUNTING, WORKING,
AND COVERING GUNS TO BE USED THEREIN," to be as follows, that is to say :-
The first improvement consists in mounting and balancing guns in ships of
war, marine and other batteries, upon rising and falling platforms supported
upon rams, being raised and lowered by each other; the cylinders being first
supplied with water, oil, or other liquid from a main connecting them with a
suitable cistern, the said cylinders being also connected together by a junction
pipe, so that when the supply main is closed and the junction pipe opened, the
fluid can passs from cylinder to cylinder as one ram descends and the other
ascends therein respectively. By this balancing principle and hydraulic action
the raising and lowering operations can be performed with very little expense
power, and be rapidly performed by hand or otherwise.
of

page_text: In cases where great strength is required, as, for instance, when the guns
are of extraordinary weight and power, their platforms may be affixed to two
or more rams, and bo balanced by a similar or other gun, as before described.
The great advantage of this part of the said Invention is, that as one gun
is being raised and fired the other is lowered and reloaded, while the guns and
men during tho latter operation aro both protected by the side of the ship or
battery, either above or below the surface of the water or ground, as the case
may be.
Another advantage is, that when the ship is not in action, the guns thus
mounted can all be lowered, and being then under the water line, the centre
of gravity is thereby also lowered, the ship is prevented from rolling, and her
speed increased under steam or sail.
The second improvement consists in placing the said rising and falling
platforms along or near the centre line of the ship, or in such positions that
the guns mounted thereon can be worked and fired therefrom on either side
of the ship below the deck, and in any direction above the deck. This is
effected by making the upper platforms on the rams to turn round upon a
vertical axis. The guns being in the centre of the ship when turned, can be
either run up to the port holes upon suitable tramways or be fired from the
central position through elongating tubes, both means being provided for
those purposes respectively. The trams or elongating tubes extend from each
side of the ship towards the centre or mouth of the guns. The tubes are
either plain, formed upon the telescopic principle, or with an outside sliding
collar. In all cases I form the end which receives the mouth of the cannon
with a conical bore, and make the main bore larger than the boro of the gun,
so that some of the gases evolved by the ignition and explosion of the powder
may partially pass the projectile, and the air be allowed to rush in at the
conical mouth as the gun recoils or is discharged. By these tubes I increase
the power of the guns, and lessen their weight. The elongating tubes may bo
eithor fixed or moveablo, so as to be raised and lowered or trained as required.
When placed for firing at the water line (where I prefer to use them) they,
are fitted with suitable plugs or stops for keeping out the water, except at the
time of firing. These plugs or stops may be made to open and close the said
tube by a rotating or rising and falling or sliding action.
The third improvement consists in covering the said guns, sides of war
ships, and batteries with a belt, which belt can be either, built with the ship,
or added thereto, and can be so added either to iron or wooden ships as
hitherto constructed, so as to convert the latter into formidable marine batteries,
when fitted with the other improvements herein enumerated.. .This bolt is.

page_text: formed by first placing vertical ribs of L-iron next to the side of the ship or
battery, and then filling in the space between the long limbs of the I's with.
timber placed vertically or edgeways. This compound of iron ribs and timber
I denominate the inner backing. Over this I place a strong plating of
iron or steel horizontally, which I denominate the intermediate armour
plate; upon this I again fix 1-iron ribs, also horizontally, and between
the long limbs of tho I's again fill in the spaces with timber (still placed
horizontally). This layer of metal and wood I denominate the outer backing,
over which I lay and fix the covering slabs of iron and steel for the outer or
main armour plates. These plates are formed with rebated edges, and are
joined or bound together and held in position by vertical T steel double-
rebated flanges carrying strong bolts, which pass through the whole of the
belt, and through the skin of the ship or side of the battery. This belt is
formed with suitable port holes for the tube, and in the case of ships has an
inclined surface at the top, so as to prevent the enemy from boarding. The
belt dips under the water line several feet, and is partly supported by the
water it displaces, and at the same time helps to steady the ship when in
action or at sea.
The upper deck and upper firing platform and roof are covered with a shot
and shell proof plating, and the ribs of the ship and belt are made hollow to
allow for ventilation. The upper deck port holes are fitted with sliding covers.
to close the same, except at the time of firing; and these covers are moved
from below the deck by ropes and pullies, or any other suitable means, a
tongue passing through a slot under the slide for that purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
February 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WALKER, of 17, Cowper Street, City Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the
day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Walker, Her special license that I, the said John Walker, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John

page_text: Walker, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time ngrea
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OF WAR
AND BATTERIES, AND IN MOUNTING, WORKING, AND COVERING GUNS THEREIN,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Walker, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, or under the hand and scal of one of them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said John Walker, do hereby declaro
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement and accompanying Drawings :-
The first improvement of my said Invention consists in applying or making,
fixing and employing the hydraulic machinery, as and in the manner herein-
after described, on board ships of war, floating, marine, and other batteries
and forts, 'for raising, lowering, and working guns therein, more especially
those of great power and weight, so that by this improved mode of mounting
the guns, however heavy they may be, the raising, lowering, and working the
same can be effected with very little power, and be easily and readily per
formed by band or otherwise.
The second improvement consists in so forming and placing the working
machinery, platforms, and connectious, that the guns mounted thereon can be
turned and fired therefrom on either side of the ship below the deck, and be
turned and fired in any direction when raised above the deck.
The third improvement consists in so mounting the guns and connections
that they may be lowered and loaded and fired below the water line, and be
raised and fired at or above the surface of the water.
The fourth improvement consists in so covering the said guns, firing
platforms, and connections, that the same shall be protected from the enemy's
fire except at the moment the guns are being discharged.
The fifth improvement consists of a ventilating shot and shell proof deck,
and deck covering, for the more effective protection of the men while working
the guns.
The sixth improvement consists in belting the sides of ships, whether

page_text: already constructed or to be constructed (of iron or wood), with the armour
belts herein described, and thereby converting an ordinary ship of iron or
wood into a formidable marine battery or vessel of war at a trifling cost as
compared with the outlay required for building an entirely new ship.
Another improvement consists in elongating guns for increasing their power
by means of fixed, sliding, and adjusting truncated cylinders.
In carrying my first above-mentioned improvement into effect, I place two
or more cylinders at any convenient distance apart, and connect them with
each other by a pipe or pipes, so that oil, water, or other fluids may pass
rapidly from one cylinder to another (by preference I would use oil), the
connecting pipe to assume any shape most convenient for the position in which
it may require to be placed. In each cylinder I place or fit a hollow ram or
piston of the desired size, to rise and fall, and in the ram I fit a vertical shaft
to turn therein, both ram and shaft supporting a platform to carry one or more
guns. The cylinders are fixed along the centre of the gun deck, and are
connected with a cistern to receive and contain the liquid from the cylinders,
when the guns are both lowered, and with a forco pump to raise tho rams and
guns into their proper places. The guns are balanced before going into action,
and then operate each other.
In cases where great strength is required, the platforms may be mounted
upon one or more rams, and the gun made to turn upon an independent
centre shaft.
The essential feature of this improvement is the mounting of the guns upon
platforms supported separately upon and to turn round upon a vertical axis or
shaft in hollow rams or pistons, moving up and down in cylinders filled with
water or other fluids, as aforesaid, communicating with each other by a pipe
or pipes in whatever position these cylinders may be placed, so that as one
gun is raised to be fired the other descends to be reloaded by the men, who
are protected below the water line and by the sides of the ship from danger,
the guns being also thereby covered from the enemy's fire. Guns worked on
this plan need not be breech-loading, as by placing them in the centre of the
deck there is sufficient room on each side of the vessel for the men to sponge
and load without turning the guns round, being placed along the centre lino
of the ship; when lowered they carry down the centre of gravity, and they
lessen the rolling of the ship, and tend to increase her speed when under
steam or sail.
The other improvements will be best explained by reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, in which the hydraulic principle of working the guns is
also shewn.

page_text: EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Drawing A. Figure 1 represents a side view of a war vossel as fitted with
the said improvements; Figure 2, a longitudinal section through the centro
of the keel; and Figure 3 a deck plan, shewing the belt and gun deck
covering. In these three general illustrations similar letters indicate the same
parts, which are shewn from different points of view. (a) are the balanced
guns, which rise and fall, and together with the platforms also turn upon the
vertical axes b' in the cylinder rams (6); (c), the hydraulic or other fluid
cylinders, in which the rams are fitted, and by which the guns are raised and
lowered; (d), the tank for containing the water, oil, &c., when both the guns
are lowered together, and rest upon the bottom deck, which will be their
position when the ship is not in action, so as to carry the centre of gravity
down to the lowest possible line, and diminish the rolling of the ship when
under steam or sail or in a heavy sea; (e), the supply main, connecting tho
tank with the two cylinders; (f), the junction main, through which the fluid
passes from the tank to the cylinders, and from cylinder to cylinder when both
the latter are charged; (g), the lower and loading deck; (h), the upper or
firing deck shot and shell proof fixed gun covers; (i), the port holes; (j), the
armour-plate sides, pierced with firing ports; (k), steel sliding ports, plates,
or doors for closing the said firing ports; (7), the belt; (m), the hull of the
vessel; (n), the elongated gun tube; (0), the opening and closing plug
therein for keeping out the water; (p), the sliding collar which closes the
joint between the end of the gun and the elongating tube when the latter is
being fired through; (9), a spur wheel on the end of the opening and closing
plug, turning the same; (r), a bevel wheel, which actuates the sliding collar;
(8), a pinion in gear with both wheels 9 and r, and by which the plug is
opened, and the sliding collar is caused to embrace the end of the gun, and
close the joint between it and the elongating tube simultaneously; (t), the
line of flotation. A, Figure 2, shows a pair of heavy guns, as lowered on to
the loading deck; B, both guns as raised half way up; C, one gun as
raised the full height, and the other at rest on the under or loading dock.
A shows the position of the guns when the vessel is undor steam or sail, that
is, when not in action, and in which position they are under the water line,
and where they are loaded by the men, who also from this deck are enabled,
by the means herein-after described and illustrated upon the other Drawings,
to perform the raising and lowering operations by hand or otherwise. When
the guns are lowered and at rost in this position the stop 6. (see also enlarge-
ments, Figs. 4 and 5, Drawing B.) is opened, and the hydraulic engine or

page_text: pump being set to work, the water, oil, &c. is forced into one or both cylinders
thereby, and thus raises one or both guns, platforms, &c. to the required
height. When only one gun is thus raised to the firing line, the stop nearest
thereto on the branch f is only to be opened in the first instance until the
required elevation is attained. The stop e on the main is then to be closed,
and the other stop on the branch opened, when, there being a free passage
from one cylinder to another, and the guns and platforms being balanced or
nearly so, the succeeding alternate rising and lowering operations can be
performed with facility and rapidity, and with a very small amount of power.
When both guns are raised together, all the stops are opened before setting
the pump or hydraulic engine to work; in the latter case, however, the
elevation is only half that required when one gun only is raised, because when
the half elevation is attained by both guns (the stop e being closed) as one of
the guns now descends it raises the other to the required elevation, and so on
ad infinitum. The guns can be fired from the different levels, 1st, from the
lower or loading deck, and under the water when in the position shewn at A;
2ndly, at or abovove the surface of the sea when in the position shewn at B;
(from both these levels, however, the line of fire is direct or nearly so, that is
to say, the axis of the gun can only be varied to a limited extent; 3rdly,
above the deck, as shown by the left-hand gun at C; from this level the line
of fire can be direct or oblique, and may be varied as required. The
Figures 1, 1, 1, 1, &c. show the direction in which the guns at A can be fired
from the firing deck cover at the stern; 2, 2, 2, 2, & from the midship
cover, and 3, 3, 3, 3, &c. from the stem. The starboard and larboard ports
of the towers here shown are formed so that the fire therefrom can be con-
centrated upon the enemy's vessel or fort in all cases where the distance is
more than 1000 feet. By mounting the guns and forming the vessel upon
this plan, the latter can be armed with ordnance of an immense weight, power,
and range, the concentrated fire of which would be of such a destructive
character, that it would sink or disable, in a few minutes, any other ship as
hitherto formed if opposed thereto.
The firing deck gun covers in practice I would prefer to form with a number
of plain flat sides, as shewn by the dotted lines x, x, instead of tlie curved
form, the former being more economical than the latter.
Drawing B.-This Drawing shows in detail the guns, hydraulic lift and
other appliances for working them upon an enlarged scale, and also shows the
elongating gun tubes and apparatus for enabling the said guns to be fired
from the centre of the vessel above and under the water. Fig. 1 is a trans-
verse section, taken through the centre of one of the firing deck covers, and

page_text: also shows the three levels at which the guns can be fired; Fig. 2 is a plan
view of the elongating gun tubos, and shows the opening and closing stop,
sliding gun collar, and actuating mechanism; Fig. 3 is also a plan view of the
under water tube, with the rising and falling stop; Fig. 4 shows a back
elevation of a pair of heavy gun carriages, platform, and hydraulic lift; and
Fig. 5, a transverse section through the bydraulic cylinder, the rising and
falling hollow ram, and the internal ram shaft upon which the gun and
platform is turned. A, the gun, raised to fire from the upper deck; B, the
gun as raised for firing at the surface of the water; C, the position of the gun
for firing under the water; a, tho gun carriage, which I make of enst
malleablo iron entire, and which slides or runs upon the platform b; this
platform is supported upon the head of the hollow ram, and, together with
the gun, turns round upon the centre shaft d, the gun, platform, ram, and
central axis rising and falling together. d', tho back flange of the platform,
which is fitted with a back spring d to receive the breach of the gun; c, c,
two sido springs, which work against the oblique notches f, f, in the under
part of the sides of the gun carriage, and, together with the back spring d,
break the recoil, and assist the gun to recover its normal position; 1, tho
hydraulic cylinder; 2, the tank or cistern for containing oil or other liquid;
3, 3, the rams; 4, the supply main; 5, a stop therein; 6, the junction
main; 7, the hydraulic engine supply pipe; 8, the pump; 9, the injection
pipe; 10, the pump lever; 9, the side of the deck house or upper deck
covering for protecting the guns and men when firing from that level; h, the
port hole; i, i, the sliding port cover; this cover is mounted upon the two
small rollers j, j, and is moved from below the deck by means of a tongue k,
which passes through a slot l. n is a chain or rope, fastened to the lower end
of the tongue, see also Figs. 1 & 5, Drawing C. When the gun is ready to
be fired, the port cover is drawn to one side, as shown at o, and is drawn back
again the instant the gun is discharged. This cover I make of cast steel, and
two of them may be coupled and operated simultaneously if desired. The
sides of the deck house are formed of outer and inner plates, the outer
being 6 inches in thickness (more or less), and the inner 4 inches in
thickness, with alternate break joints. The roof is formed of the hollow
ribs p, p, covered with 1 inch plates. These covering plates project over the
side all round, and are drooped, as shewn at 9, 7, to prevent splinters or
fragments of shell from entering through the hollows; through theso hollow
ribs the air has free course to pass to or from the exterior, and they thus
operate as ventilators. The deck is covered in a similar manner, and for the
same combined object, namely that of protecting the men, and at the same

page_text: time affording the means of ventilating the under deck. When the guns
are raised to the level at A, they can be turned completely round, so as to be.
lowered and fired from either side of the ship at B and C. At B the gun is
shown in the required position for being fired through the elongating tube 7,
which may be either fixed or telescopic, to shut up when not in use. tis a
sliding collar, which is moved by the rack and pinion u, u; the mouth of this
tube is coned as shown by the dotted lines 1, 1, and the internal diameter of
the elongating tube is made a little larger than that of the bore of the gun,
to allow a portion of the gases evolved by the ignition of the powder and air
from the rear of the tube to pass through, the gases to the front of the ball
as it enters the tube, and the air to follow. s is a stop for opening and
closing the tube, and may be either a rising and falling plate or revolving
plug, to be turned by the spur wheel and pinion w, w, (as here shown).
The object of this tube is not only to enable the same guns to be fired from
either side of the vessel, but to increase the power of the gun itself by affording
the means whereby the whole of the powder may be ignited, and a greater
velocity thereby imparted to the projectile from a less charge of powder; the
tube also carries the smoke out of the ship or fort, and acts as a ventilator.
Drawing C.-This Drawing, which is also laid down to an enlarged scale,
shows the form and mode of constructing the belt, the sides of the deck
covers, and sliding port covers, and also shows the shot and shell proof deck
cover and deck house roof for protecting the men while working the guns at
the upper level. Fig. 1 is a transverse section through the belt and port of
one of the deck covers, and shows the form of belt when it is applied to an
iron ship; Fig. 2 is a plan at the line A, B, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional
elevation, showing the outer face of the belt, and the mode of building the
same; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the belt, as fitted to a wooden ship;
and Fig. 5, a sectional elevation of one of the deck towers, showing the sliding
port covers and mode of working the same. (Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4,) is a 6-in.
solid armour plate of iron or steel, which forms the outer face of the belt;
b, solid timber, mill board, or other backing, with intermediate edge plates c
between them, the whole placed horizontally, thus forming a solid compound
backing of iron and timber and the like, for the armour plate; these metal
edge plates have a double flange d, by which they are rivetted to the plate e;
this latter plate forms an intermediate armour plate; f, solid vertical ribs,
which also have intermediate edge plates 9 between them; these plates are
formed of T-iron, the head flanges of which are hollow or rivetted to the skin
of the ship h; i, i, i, are solid cast steel intermediate T-armour fastening
a

page_text: plates, with rebated edges fitting similar rebates in the main armour plates a;
jare 3-in. prongs or bolts, with enlarged heads, which are let into the casting
mould, and are cast in the plate; these bolts pass through the entire belt,
and also through the skin of the ship, and are fastened inside by nuts, keys,
or wedges k; are hollow or bridge ribs, forming part of the skin of the ship,
into which hollow ribs the standards m for supporting the bulwarks are fitted,
so that they, together with the sections of the bulwarks opposite the deck
houses, can be removed when going into action. n, n, are spikes or treenails
by which the intermediate armour plates s are fastened to the inner solid
timber and iron backing; o are transverso T ribs, rivetted to the vertical
ribs 9. and extending across tho under side of the bolt, so as to support tho
main and intermediate plates; p, a flat longitudinal thin sole plate or covering
plate, making good the under side of the belt; 9, 9, an inclined surface intended
to prevent the ship from being boarded by the enemy. v, (Fig. 4,) is an
inside plate, which is bolted to the timber skin in order to protect the men
from splinters in the event of a ball or shell ponetrating the belt. The mode
of building this belt is as follows:-The vertical ribs g are first bolted to tho
common outer plate of the hull (sco Fig. 3) of iron ships, or by the bolts 8, 8,
to the planking of wooden ships. These vertical ribs being fixed, sound, solid
balks of oak or other timber or backing materials are now to be placed in the
intermediate vertical rib spaces; the wholo are then faced, packed, or reduced
to a regular surface, flush or even with the vertical ribs; this I denominato
the inner compound backing, upon which the inner armour plates e, e, are to
be bedded and fastened; to these plates the horizontal ribs or edge plates b
are now to be rivetted, and their intermediate spaces filled in as before, only
that the backing is laid horizontally instead of vertically.
Fig. 6 is a plan view, and Fig. 7 a vertical section of an inclined surface
and lighter belt, constructed upon the same principle as that above described,
intended to be applied to the sides of vessels in which speed and great gun
power with a limited number of guns are intended to be combined.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature and object of my said
Invention, and the means by which the respective improvements can be carried
into effect, I hereby further declare that what I more particularly claim is,—
First, the mounting of 2 or more guns of any weight, balanced or balancing.
one another upon, and raised, lowered, and worked by the hydraulic machinery
and appliances herein described in ships of war, batteries, and forts.
Secondly, the platform and solid metal spring recoil gun carriage, for
absorbing or diminishing the recoil force or space and regaining the normal

page_text: position of the guns, and combining the same with the hollow ram and
independent central axis or shaft, substantially as described, and forming part
of claim No. 1.
Thirdly, the fixed, sliding, telescopic, and other elongating tubes for firing
the guns from the centre or inner part of the ship or battery at, above, or
under the water.
Fourthly, the mode of working the guns, so that they can be loaded under
the water line, and the covers and modes of protecting the men operating the
same.
Fifthly, the modes of belting the sides of such structures, iron and wooden
ships, with a belt externally, and applying the said belt to existing vessels in
the forms and manner herein described, and increasing the stability of floating
structures by the form and action of the under side of the said belts.
Sixthly, the whole combined or in part.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Walker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
JOHN WALKER. (L.S.)