IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Collis Browne, of No. 34, Leadenhall Street, in the
City of London, Physician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS
OR VESSELS."
Sealed the 9th December 1879, and dated the 14th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Collis Browne at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1879.
JOHN COLLIS BROWNE, of No. 34, Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
Physician. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OR VESSELS."
The object of this Invention is to construct a safety ship or vessel. This is
effected by constructing the upper sides in compartments by transverse pieces, con-
necting the outer upper skin to longitudinal pieces, such upper sides being of
curvular form and projecting from the lower part as to form over-hanging bilges,
below which in the concave apertures (which are continuous along the sides) screw
propellors can work, these being on shafts set at an angle through the lower part of
the vessel and worked direct by engines arranged within the same.
The lower part of the ship is of flat form and the framing is carried up to the
bilges which are connected to them, the floors with turned up ends being fastened
to the framing.
to me.
The angle shafts above referred to are described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to Joseph Betteley, in the year 1875, No. 3997, and duly assigned
In conjunction with the above construction or arrangement of ship, I
prefer to employ upon the shafts and in the concave chambers or passages under
the bilges the pairs of blades propeller patented by me in the year 1873, No. 277,
and also in some cases to construct such vessels with extended prows in front of
the bow portions and at the stern, or one of them only, as described in Letters
Patent granted to me in the year 1872, No. 1419.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Collis Browne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
December 1879.
JOHN COLLIS BROWNE, of No. 34, Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
Physician. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS OF VESSELS."
The object of this Invention is to construct a safety ship or vessel. This is
effected by forming the upper sides in airtight compartiments by transverse pieces
connected to longitudinal vertical girders, such upper sides being of curvular (curvi-
linear) form and projecting from the lower part as to serve as overhanging bilges,
below which in concave apertures (which are continuous along the sides) screw
propellers can work, these being on shafts set at an angle through the lower part
of the vessel, and worked direct by engines arranged within the same.
The lower part of the ship is of flat form and the framing is carried up to the
bilges which are connected to it, the floors with turned up ends being connected
thereto.
The angle shafts above referred to are described in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to Joseph Betteley, in the year 1875, No. 3997, and duly assigned
to me. In conjunction with the above construction or arrangement of ship, I
prefer to employ upon the shafts and in the concave chambers or passages under
the bilges, the pairs of blades propeller patented by me in the year 1873, No. 277,
and also in some cases to construct such vessels with extended plough prows in
front of the bow portions and at the stern, or one of them only, as described in
Letters Patent granted to me in the year 1872, No. 1419.
The accompanying Drawings represent my Invention as applied for passenger
carrying purposes.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a vessel composed of a body or hull A. having
a flat bottom B, the sides of the hull being curved to form concave apertures in
conjunction with overhanging bilges C, C, serving as watertight compartments.
The overhanging bilges C, C, are constructed in connection with the hull, the
frames of which terminate at the points D, D.
E, E, are the longitudinal vertical girders running from one end of the vessel
to the other and forming with the partitions J water tight compartments.
F is one of the beams connected to the frame to which uprights G, G, are
attached, H, H, being longitudinally stringers.
G, G, are the uprights upon the beams carrying an upper deck L, the space M
serving for cabins or as a saloon.
N, N, are passages under side decks P, P, to be used as side saloons or as berths.
The screw propellers Q, Q, are arranged about midships upon shafts R, R, pro-
jecting from the sides of the hull A at an angle, the shafts being actuated from
engines that either screw may be driven separately for steering and for turning
purposes. The shafts have cranks and are worked direct by engines set at corre-
sponding angles.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of a similar vessel for cargo or other purposes
having large air chambers as the overhanging bilges C, C, and an upper beam T
for the decks P, P.
Figure 3 shows a transverse section of a vessel as a modification in which longi-
tudinal stringers H, H, are formed of broad flanged angle irons, the lower part or
hull A being secured to the flanges a, and the overhanging bilges to the flanges c
in conjunction with their attachment to the uprights G, G, and to the upper
transverse beam T.
Figure 4 represents a section of a vessel in which the main frames are carried up
to the outside, or as part of the overhanging bilgos, the longitudinal stringers H, Ħ,
connecting the frames and the heams

page_text: Figure 5 is a plan and sectional view, and Figures 6 and 7 side elevations, of 2
forms of vessels having the air tight overhanging bilges from end to end, and with
concave apertures within which the screws work "amidship" on shafts set at an
angle therefrom as before explained. In Figure 5 the vessel has a prolonged
plough prow" extending from the "bow," the prow being of inverted heart shape
in cross section, that the underside which is nearly flat and airtight may lie almost
upon the water and give great buoyancy to the forepart of the vessel and produce
great steadyness while under steam. The upper surface of this extended prow is so
curved or shaped that any water rising up it becomes divided, the "fore runs
obviating the resistance of the water at the bows and preventing the formation of
bow waves.
"
Figure 6 shows a steam vessel to which an extended stern or buoyant end is
formed in addition to that at the bows, the construction of which is similar to the
prow just mentioned.
Figure 7 reprosents a vessel with an ordinary bow and an ordinary stern, the
body being of the form shown in any of the Figures on Sheet 1 with over-
hanging airtight or buoyant bilges, and with screws in the concaves on shafts set
at an angle as before explained.
The compartments of the overhanging bilges may in some cases be used for mer-
chandise, grain, coal, or other inaterial, or for resisting shot if used for war purposes,
the tops being fitted with manhole plates which can be fastened down.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The construction of vessels with vertical longitudinal girders E, E, in
combination with attached overhanging bilges forming air tight compartments, as
described and as shown in Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings.
Secondly. The construction of vessels with overhanging buoyant bilges in com-
partments, and having concave apertures under them in which screw propellers
work midships on shafts set at an angle through the ship's side, as set forth, and as
shown in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Collis Browne, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent,
40, Fleet Street,
London.
JOHN COLLIS BROWNE. (L.S.)