A COMBINED CRANE BOAT, FLOATING FIRE ENGINE AND PUMP, LIGHTER, TUG AND SALVAGE BOAT
Year: 1884

page_text: "
We, GEORGE WILLIAM PENN, and JOHN GARDINER PENN, of Bute Docks,
Cardiff, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for A COMBINED
CRANE BOAT, FLOATING FIRE ENGINE AND PUMP, LIGHTER, TUG AND SALVAGE
BOAT" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
.
The object of our Invention is the construction of a vessel capable of being used
either as a steam tug, a lighter, or a salvage boat, and fitted at the same time with
a crane for loading or unloading any variety of merchandise, whether packed,
bulky, or loose; coaling, &c.; and with a fire engine or pump, for fire extinguishing,
pumping out sunken vessels, supplying water, emptying or filling ballast tanks,
and for performing any other similar duty in harbour, dock, or roadstead.
The crane is erected upon a strong base in the hold, and is otherwise securely
bolted to the ribs of the vessel. It is worked, preferably, from the main engine
(the propeller shaft being made so as to disconnect for this purpose), but it may be
worked by a hydraulic or other suitable motor.
The jib is made of as long a radius as practicable, and carries, in addition to the
ordinary pulley at its outer extremity, a second pulley, at a point lower down, to
enable the crane to cope with heavy loads.
The crane chain may be fitted with ordinary grips or hooks, for holding general
merchandise in case, bale or bundle, or with a skep of any convenient construction,
for such cargo as patent fuel, and similar loose material.
The fire engine or pump is geared so as to be driven from the main engine. In
addition to this, we propose to fit our improved vessel with a smaller fire engine
or pump, e.g. in the bows or other convenient part, to be worked from the donkey
boiler (or by any convenient motor). When the donkey boiler is to be used for
this purpose, it is made with comparatively small water space and large heating
surface, so that steam can be got up on emergency in the shortest possible time.
The ballast tanks may be used as a source of water supply for the fire engines,
and are, therefore, fitted with self-acting sluice valves, so as to fill as quickly as
the pumping operations may empty them.
Our improved vessel has a capacious fore-hatch for the stowage of cargo,
salvage &c

page_text: It is also fitted with a combined steam winch and windlass at a convenient
point, e.g. the bows, which is to be used for loading, and unloading cargoes in
general, and especially timber.
For unloading grain cargoes, we attach a grain elevator to the end of the jib of
our improved crane. The elevator is driven, preferably, by suitable gearing from
the engine on board our improved vessel. With this attachment, our improved
vessel can get through the onerous task of rapidly unloading heavy grain cargoes,
under circumstances, and at points where permanent (fixed) grain elevators are
inapplicable or not at command.
For the purpose of lighting the scene of operations, when artificial light is
required, we furnish our vessel with one or more electric lamps, conveniently
placed for the purpose. The dynamoes for generating the current are driven from
any of the engines or motors already referred to, or by a special engine.
In order that our Invention, and the means of putting the same into practical
effect, may be thoroughly understood, we refer to the accompanying Drawings
which are to be taken as part of this Specification and read therewith.
Figure 1 is an elevation of our improved vessel, with part of the side broken
away, to shew the machinery arrangements.
Figure 2 is a deck plan drawn to a smaller scale.
A. The main engine of the vessel.
B. The propeller shaft.
C. The crane and skep.
D. The second or power-pulley.
E. The principal fire engine or pump.
F. The supplementary ditto.
G. The fore-hatch.
H. Combined winch and windlass.
Having now described our Invention, and the means by which the same may be,
advantageously, carried into effect-
We claim
First. The herein before described construction of a vessel adapted for use as a
tug, lighter, or salvage boat, and carrying a crane with two pulleys, substantially
for the purposes described.
Second. The hereinbefore described construction of a combined tug, lighter, and
salvage boat, carrying one or two fire engines or pumps, substantially, for the
purposes described.
Third. The herein before described construction of a combined tug, lighter, and
salvage boat, carrying fire engines, pump, and crane, all, substantially, as described.
Fourth. In a vessel constructed as a crane boat, the combination of crane and
grain elevator, for the purpose of unloading grain cargoes, both crane and elevator
being worked from the same engine on board the crane boat.
Dated this 11th dove of 1 1 100%
Dated this 11th
1th day of Joly
1001
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants