IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING, AND TRANSPORTING SHIPS OR VESSELS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED BODIES, AND FOR FACILITATING MARINE AND SUBMARINE OPERATIONS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Scott at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 13th October 1876.
JAMES SCOTT, of Glasgow, North Britain, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR RAISING, LOWERING, AND TRANSPORTING SHIPS OR VESSELS, AND
OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED BODIES, AND FOR FACILITATING
MARINE AND SUBMARINE OPERATIONS."
My Invention has for its object more particularly the raising of sunken ships or
vessels in order to recover the same with their cargoes, and it consists of a peculiar
arrangement and combination of apparatus whereby that operation is performed in
an efficient and expeditious manner.
In carrying out my Invention I employ two or more longitudinal caissons of a
square, circular, or other convenient form, divided into water-tight compartments
which are provided with valve ports for admitting and ejecting water. The
caissons are connected together transversely by means of hollow or lattice girders,
and on their upper side there are erected column tubes of sufficient height to admit
of the caissons being sunk to any given depth below the action of the sea wave.
These column tubes are surmounted by longitudinal girders of a round box or other
convenient form, having placed thereon transverse girders of a similar or other suit-
able shape on which rests a deck platform carrying sleeping houses for the workmen,
engines, steam winches or hydraulic purchase or other suitable gearing or appliances
for lifting the ship or cargo. The column tubes may be set at any angle, and
terminate above in the form of lifting shears if desired.
In combination with my apparatus I employ a combined diving elevator and
safety cage capable of containing any required number of divers, and admitting of
their ascent and descent without the liability to the danger and inconvenience
which attend the cumbrous and laborious system at present employed.
When it is required to raise a vessel for example, the lifting apparatus (which I
designate a storm vessel) is brought over and moored above the wreck, and chains
are attached to the sunken vessel. The caissons are then sunk to the requisite
depth as before mentioned, leaving the upper platform above the rise of the sea
waves, after which the chains are tightened, the water is ejected from the caissons,
and the sunken vessel is floated away in safety. A storm vessel of this description
Price 2dl

page_text: may be constructed of a suitable size for diving operations, and the sunken vessel be
elevated by forcing air from the deck pumping engines into suitable receptacles
placed in the hold of the sunken vessel.
The air pumping engines are utilized both for propelling the storm vessel, for
supplying the divers with air if necessary, for ejecting water from the caissons, and
for ejecting sand, ballast or like substance from a ship's hold.
My improved apparatus may also be employed for raising, lowering, and trans-
porting ships or vessels undergoing repairs, and for facilitating other marine and
submarine operations.