IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Oliver York, of 2, Royal Exchange Buildings,
in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS
OR VESSELS."
Sealed the 23rd November 1866, and dated the 25th August 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Oliver York at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th August 1866.
I, JOHN OLIVER YORK, of 2, Royal Exchange Buildings, in the City of
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHIPS OR VESSELS," to be as follows:-
In
This Invention has for its object improvements in ships or vessels.
constructing ships or vessels I build two similar floats, each of great length in
relation to the breadth and depth, and of such a form as to offer as little
resistance as possible to propulsion through the water. These floats have no
openings in them through which water can enter, or any openings which it
may be convenient to make are securely closed. The floats are placed
parallel the one to the other and are firmly braced together, and on the floats
a framing is erected which carries a platform. The floats rise only a short
distance above the surface of the water, but the platform is carried at a height
well above the waves, so that the sea is able to break unimpeded over the
Boats without interfering with the platform which they carry. The platform
for greater security and convenience I form like a boat; it contains the
passenger cabins and the quarters for the crew, and it may be also the cargo

page_text: space, but in vessels of large size some or all of the cargo may be stowed
within the floats. The vessel may be propelled by a large paddle wheel
working between the two floats, or each float may have a screw driven by an
engine contained. within it or hydraulic propulsion may be used.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Oliver York in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th February 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
OLIVER YORK, of 2, Royal Exchange Buildings, in the City of London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Oliver York, Her special licence that I, the said John Oliver
York, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Oliver York, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree 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 OR VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Oliver York, my executors or administrators; by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
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.
68
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Oliver York, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in ships or vessels. In
constructing ships or vessels I build two similar floats, each of great length
in relation to the breadth and depth, and of such a form as to offer as little
resistance as possible to propulsion through the water; these floats have no
openings in them through which water can enter, or any openings which it

page_text: may be convenient to make are securely closed; the floats are placed parallel
the one to the other, and are firmly braced together, and on the floats a
framing is erected which carries a platform. The floats rise only a short
distance above the surface of the water, but the platform is carried at a height
well above the waves, so that the sea is able to break unimpeded over the
floats without interfering with the platform which they carry. The platform
for greater security and convenience I form like a boat; it contains the
passenger cabins and the quarters for the crew, and it may be also the cargo
space, but in vessels of large size some or all of the cargo may be stowed within
the floats.
.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed more
fully to describe the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a vessel constructed according to my
Invention; Figure 2 shows a plan thereof; Figures 3 and 4 show transverse
sections thereof.
In the arrangements for propelling shown, in these Drawings a single
paddle wheel is employed, but other means of propelling may be resorted to if
preferred.
A, A, are two hollow floats, the longitudinal axes of which are parallel to
each other; they are to be strongly and securely braced together; these floats are
usually for the most part to be immersed in the water; these floats may be con-
structed suitable for and employed in carrying the steam engines, fuel, cargo,
and other matters. The platform B is supported high above the floats and well
above the waves, so that the sea is enabled to break unimpeded over the floats
without interfering with the platform which they carry. The platform it is
preferred to construct in form like a boat, and to fit up the interior with
passenger and other cabins and quarters for the crew, and also if desired
suitable for carrying some cargo. By these means vessels may be constructed
suitable to be propelled at very high speeds.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Oliver York, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
JOHN OLV. YORK. (L.8.)