IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS OR VESSELS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Edward Jackson, of Manila, in the
East Indies.
Scaled the 25th February 1873, and dated the 13th November 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th November 1872.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS OR VESSELS," a
communication to me from abroad by Edward Jackson, of Manila, in
the East Indies, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar base for a new form for the hulls
of vessels whereby greater safety, handiness, and ease of motion with
greater speed in proportion to the power or displacement in vessels of
all sizes are obtained. The new base in horizontal and vertical section

page_text: to the load line for the improved form of the hulls of vessels embraces
an infinitely acute angled triangle at the one end of the figure, changing
gradually into an infinitely obtuse angled triangle at the other end, the
midships section forming a right angled triangle.
The result is more equal buoyancy throughout the length obtained by
the large vertical displacement of the acute angled triangles on the one
side of the middle (namely, towards the fore part of the vessel), and the
large horizontal displacement of the obtuse angled triangles on the other
side of the middle or after part of the vessel. A diminished resistance is
also obtained on account of the small area of the greatest immersed
transverse section or right angle triangle, whose height is but half the
extreme draught and base, but half the extreme beam, and the clean
entry and run due to the reciprocal increase of beam and decrease of
draught, so that displacement and replacement of the water are pro-
portional throughout the length.
The application of the base in practice will vary according to the
purpose of the vessel, to the speed, cargo, capacity, dimensions, draught,
length, beam, and sea going qualities required, and may consequently be
lengthened, shortened, curved, or broken in any of its lines.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special license
that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein

page_text: reciprocal increase of beam and decrease of draught, so that displacement
and replacement of the water are proportional throughout the length.
The application of the base in practice would vary according to the
purpose of the vessel, according to the speed, cargo, capacity, dimensions,
draught, length, beam, and sea-going qualities required, and the Inventor
reserves to himself the sole right of applying the base, or of lengthening,
shortening, curving, or breaking any of its lines, or otherwise altering
them in such application.
Figure 3 is an illustration in elevation, and half plan of an application
of the principles contained in the base to a small sailing yacht, length,
thirty-two feet, beam, eight feet, and draught, two and a half feet, dis-
placement to load line, over three tons, and area of midship section, five
square feet. The bottom line of the keel is parallel to the load line, but the
keel can be increased or decreased, and made either convex or concave.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is-
First. The peculiar geometrical base of a new form of the hulls of 2
ships or vessels, as herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Second. The application of the principles contained in the herein-
before described and illustrated geometrical base to the construction of
the hulls of ships or vessels.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this 2
my Specification set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of
May One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.