IMPROVE :MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF OCEAN STEAMERS AND PADDLE WHEELS FOR PROPELLING. THE SAME, WHICH PADDLE WHEELS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Isaac Merritt Singer, of New York, in the United
States of America, but now residing at the Euston Hotel, Euston Square,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE
:MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF OCEAN STEAMERS AND PADDLE WHEELS FOR
PROPELLING. THE SAME, WHICH PADDLE WHEELS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Isaac Merritt Singer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd December 1865.
I, ISAAC MERRITT SINGER, of New York, in the United States of America,
but now residing at the Euston Hotel, Euston Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention.for.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF OCEAN STEAMERS AND PADDLE WHEELS
FOR PROPELLING THE SAME, WHICH PADDLE WHEELS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE (TO THE:)
PROPULSION OF OTHER STEAM VESSELS," to be as follows:
These improvements are designed principally with a viewto.diminish the
rolling and pitching of such steamers, and also to increase the amount of
passenger accommodation, and at the same time to obtain increased speed and
greater power of floatation.
i
In the first place I propose to make the bottom of the vessel with a

page_text: longitudinal recess or groove running from end to end of the same, the side
portions projecting below the recess or groove, and the inner sides thereof,
which are perpendicular, acting as a double keel to the vessel, the outer sides
being curved and forming the bilge of the vessel. The perpendicular sides of
the groove may be either parallel to each other or slightly inclined towards
the bow, so that the recess or groove shall be wider at the stern than at the
bow. The horizontal part of the groove is also below the water line, and may
be either parallel to the surface or slightly inclined upwards towards the stern.
The whole bulk of the vessel is immersed, so that the water line is above the
recess or groove before named, and presents a solid bow to the water. The
vessel is to be made with saloon deck and a hurricane deck, and is to be
divided transversely by about twenty water-tight bulkheads (more or less).
These transverse bulkheads extend from the bottom of the vessel up to the
hurricane deck, having double water-tight doors for the transmission of the
cargo below decks for the convenience of the passengers above. The saloons
run transversely of the vessel between these bulkheads,each saloon having a
double row of state rooms (one above the other) running along each side.
The partitions between the state rooms being firmly fixed to the bulkheads
serve to strengthen the latter and prevent them from springing, so that each
bulkhead is stiffened both at the back and the front by these said partitions.
The vessel is also made with two longitudinal bulkheads, forming a continua-
tion upwards of the vertical sides of the recess or groove, and also a third in
the centre, the said bulkheads being solid up to the level of the first saloon
deck (with the exception of water-tight doors at suitable intervals), and from
thence upwards forming an open trellis work so as to admit of a free passage
through. The outsides of the vessel are formed solid up to the level of the
hurricane deck, with the exception of the usual port holes. Hatchways will
be made through all the decks from the hurricane deck down into the holds,
passing through about each third saloon, leaving a passage at each side
between the hatchways and the front of the state rooms. There will be two
longitudinal propeller shafts with their crank ends slightly inclined upwards
and outwards, so that the propellers shall work in the angles of the recess or
groove at or near the stern of the vessel, and a transverse paddle shaft
extending across the recess or groove, having a paddle wheel fixed thereon
near the stern also; or a third propeller with its shaft inclined upwards may
be substituted. This inclination of the propeller shafts is for the purpose of
allowing the propellers to work outside the vessel, and at the same time to
allow room for the cranks to work inside the same. It is also believed that
the thrust of the propellers being downwards as well as longitudinally they

page_text: will exert a more efficient force upon the vessel; these propellers will serve
for steering also. There will be three rudders placed in the longitudinal
recess or groove, one at or near each end and one in the centre, being
mounted on vertical rudder posts passing through the centre of the width of
each rudder, and extending upwards to the steering apparatus on the main
deck. The smoke stacks for the steam engine furnaces will be oval in section
placed with the smaller end forwards, so as to present only a small surface to
the resistance of a head wind.
I also propose to use with this construction of vessel the method of steering
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me, and.
dated the Fifteenth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and sixty,
No. 2509, consisting of a longitudinal shaft at each end of the vessel with a
paddle wheel at the end, which by being caused to revolve in opposite directions
will bring the vessel round when there is no way on her, or otherwise when
the rudder or rudders would have no effect. . The following are the relative
general proportions which I propose that the various parts should bear to
each other; for example, in building a vessel of about one thousand feet in
length the extreme width would be about one hundred and fifty feet, the width
of the longitudinal recess or groove in the bottom about eighty feet, and
the depth thereof about eight feet, and the extreme depth of the side of
the vessel from the hurricane deck to the keel about forty feet. In addition
to this, in order to give greater depth and strength to the vessel in the centre,
I propose to have an arched girder at each side (with one or more intermediate
ones if necessary), rising in the centre to about ten feet above the hurricane
deck. The frame of the vessel will be further strengthened by means of
diagonal stays so placed that their points of junction with the longitudinal
girders shall correspond as nearly as possible with the point of junction of the
latter with the transverse bulkheads.
My improvements in paddle wheels are designed with a view of obviating the
loss of power caused bytheresistanceof the water to the entrance and exit of the
floats, and consistprincipally in so constructing and mounting the said floats that
they shall be able to accommodate themselves to the pressure of the water on
entering and leaving the same, but shall always remain rigid whilst immersed.
In one modification of my Invention I propose to mount the floats on
spindles running across the face of the wheel, each float being composed of
three blades mounted at equal angles (sixty degrees) to each other and fixed
on one boss, which turns loosely on the spindle.
In another modification each float is composed of two blades each mounted
upon a spindle in such a manner that there shall be a greater area upon one

page_text: side of the spindle than upon the other. These blades incline towards each
other in the manner of a pair of dock gates, and their action is that upon
entering the water it comes first against their outer ends which have the
largest area, and by expanding them closes their inner ends so as to form a
solid float, but upon leaving the water the outer ends rise first, and the resist-
ance of the water being thus diminished on the outer side of the spindle, the
pressure will open the blades and allow the backwater to pass through. It
will be obvious that this part of my Invention is equally applicable to the
propulsion of other steam vessels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Isaac Merritt Singer in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 31st May 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ISAAC
MERRITT SINGER, of New York, in the United States of America, but now
residing at the Euston Hotel, Euston Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Isaac Merritt Singer, Her special licence that I, the said Isaac Merritt
Singer, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Isaac Merritt Singer, 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 THE CONSTRUCTION OF OCEAN STEAMERS AND PADDLE WHEELS
FOR PROPELLING THE SAME, WHICH PADDLE WHEELS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE
PROPULSION OF OTHER STEAM VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Isaac Merritt Singer, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW 1, that 1, the said Isaac Merritt Singer, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, that is to say :-
These improvements are designed principally with a view to diminish the
rolling and pitching of such steamers, and also to increase the amount of
passenger accommodation, and at the same time to obtain increased speed
and greater power of floatation.
In the first place I propose to make the bottom of the vessel with a longi-
tudinal recess or groove running from end to end of the same, the side portions
projecting below the recess or groove, and the inner sides thereof (which are
perpendicular) acting as a double keel to the vessel, the outer sides being
curved and forming the bilge of the vessel. The perpendicular sides of the
groove may be either parallel to each other or slightly inclined towards the
bow, so that the recess or groove shall be wider at the stern than at the bow.
The horizontal part of the groove is also below the water line, and may be
either parallel to the surface or slightly inclined upwards towards the stern.
The whole bulk of the vessel is immersed, so that the water line is above the
recess or groove before named, and presents a solid bow to the water. The
vessel is to be made with a saloon deck and a hurricane deck, and is to be
divided transversely by about twenty water-tight bulkheads (more or less).
These transverse bulkheads extend from the bottom of the vessel up to the
hurricane deck, having double water-tight doors for the transmission of the
cargo below decks or for the convenience of the passengers above. The
saloons run transversely of the vessel between these bulkheads, each saloon
having a double row of state rooms (one above the other) running along
each side. The partitions between the state rooms being firmly fixed to the
bulkheads serve to strengthen the latter and prevent them from springing,
so that each bulkhead is stiffened both at the back and the frout by these said
partitions. The vessel is also made with two longitudinal bulkheads, forining
a continuation upwards of the vertical sides of the recess or groove, and also a
third in the centre, the said bulkheads being solid up to the level of the saloon
deck (with the exception of water-tight doors at suitable intervals), and from
thence upwards forming an open trelliswork so as to admit of a free passage
through. The outsides of the vessel are formed solid up to the level of the
hurricane deck, with the exception of the usual port holes. Hatchways will
be made through all the decks from the hurricane deck down into the hold,
passing through about each third saloon, leavinga passage at each side between

page_text: the hatchways and the front of the state rooms. There will be two longitudinal
propeller shafts with their crank ends slightly inclined upwards and outwards,
so that the propellers shall work in the angles of the recess or groove at or
near the stern of the vessel, and a transverse paddle shaft extending across
the recess or groove, having a paddle wheel fixed thereon near the stern also,
or a third propeller with its shaft inclined upwards may be substituted. This
inclination of the propeller shafts is for the purpose of allowing the propellers
to work outside the vessel, and at the same time to allow room for the cranks
to work inside the same. It is also believed that the thrust of the propellers
being downwards as well as longitudinally, they will exert a more efficient
force upon the vessel; these propellers will serve for steering also. There
will be three rudders placed in the longitudinal recess or groove, one at or
near each end and one in the centre; the end rudders being mounted on
vertical rudder posts passing through the centre of the width of each rudder,
and extending upwards to the steering apparatus on the main deck. The
smoke stacks for the steam engine furnaces will be oval in section placed with
the smaller end forwards, so as to present only a small surface to the resistance
of a head wind.
I also propose to use with this construction of vessel the method of steering
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me, and
dated the Fifteenth day of October One thousand eight hundred and sixty,
No. 2509, consisting of a longitudinal shaft at each end of the vessel
with a paddle wheel at the end, which by being caused to revolve in opposite
directions will bring the vessel round when there is no way on her, or other-
wise when the rudder or rudders would have no effect. The following are
the relative general proportions which I propose that the various parts should
bear to each other; for example, in building a vessel of about one thou-
sand feet in length, the extreme width would be about one hundred and
fifty feet, the width of the longitudinal recess or groove in the bottom about
eighty feet, and the depth thereof about eight feet, and the extreme depth of
the side of the vessel from the hurricane deck to the keel about forty feet.
In addition to this, in order to give greater depth and strength to the vessel
in the centre, I propose to have an arched girder at each side (with one or more
intermediate ones if necessary), rising in the centre to about ten feet above
the hurricane deck. The frame of the vessel will be further strengthened by
means of diagonal stays, so placed that their points of junction with the
longitudinal girders shall correspond as nearly as possible with the point of
junction of the latter with the transverse bulkheads.
My improvements in paddle wheels are designed with a view of obviating

page_text: the loss of power caused by the resistance of the water to the entrance and
exit of the floats, and consist principally in so constructing and mounting the
said floats that they shall be able to accommodate themselves to the pressure
of the water on entering and leaving the same, but shall always remain rigid
whilst immersed.
In one modification of my Invention I propose to mount the floats on
spindles running across the face of the wheel, each float being composed of
three blades mounted at equal angles (sixty degrees) to each other and fixed
on one boss, which turus loosely on the spindle.
In another modification each float is composed of two blades, each mounted
upou a spindle in such a manner that there shall be a greater area upon one
side of the spindle than upon the other. These blades incline towards each other
in the manner of a pair of dock gates, and their action is that upon entering
the water it comes first against their outer ends which have the largest area,
and by expanding them closes their inner ends so as to form a solid float, but
upon leaving the water the outer ends rise first, and the resistance of the
water being thus diminished on the outerside of the spindle, the p pressure will
open the blades and allow the "backwater" to pass through.
It will be obvious that this part of my Invention is equally applicable to
the propulsion of other steam vessels.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention for Improve-
ments in the Construction of Ocean Steamers and Paddle Wheels for Pro-
pelling the same, which Paddle Wheels are also applicable to the Propulsion
of other Steam Vessels," I will now proceed to describe more in detail the
manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, and in order that the same may be distinctly understood
I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with
those in the following explanation thereof, that is to say :-
In the annexed Drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view (shown partly in section)
of my improved ocean steamer, and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same
(also partly in section); Figure 3 is a stern elevation drawn to a larger
scale, and Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same.
a, a, is a longitudinal recess or groove formed from end to end in the
bottom of the vessel, and shown in the Drawing as being narrower and
shallower towards the bow than at the stern, although, as before mentioned,
it may be made parallel; b, b, is the saloon deck, and c, c, the hurricane deck;
d, d, are the transverse water-tight bulkheads, having double water-tight
doors e, e, below the decks for the transmission of the cargo, as seen at
;

page_text: Figure 4, and similar doors for the convenience of the passengers passing from
one saloon to another; f,f, are the saloons running transversely across the
vessel between the bulkheads, each saloon having a double row of state rooms
9, 9, (one above the other) running along each side, the partitions between
the state rooms being fixed to the back and front of the transverse bulkheads,
as seen clearly at Figure 1. h, h, are three longitudinal bulkheads running
the whole length of the vessel, being solid up to the level of the saloon deck,
and from thence forming an open trelliswork, as seen at Figure 2, so as to
admit of a free passage through. Double water-tight doors i, i, are provided
below the saloon deck; k, k, (see Figure 1) are the hatchways passing through
about every third saloon; 1, 1, 1, are three screw propellers mounted on longi-
tudinal shafts m, m, m, the central shaft being inclined from the propellerend
upwards, and the two outer shafts upwards and outwards, so as to allow the
propellers to act on the water on three sides of the groove outside the vessel,
whilst the propeller shafts pass through the vessel, and the cranks are inside
the same.
Instead of the central propeller and shaft a paddle wheel may be
used mounted on a transverse shaft extending across the stern end of the
recess or groove a, a, as before mentioned. n, n, n, are the three rudders,
the central one being of the ordinary form, whilst the fore and aft rudders are
mounted ou rudder posts passing through the centre of their width; 0, 0,
are the smoke stacks, their transverse section being of an oval form, as shown
at Figure 1, with the smaller end forwards, so as to present only a small resist-
ance to a head wind; p, p, are two arched girders, commencing at or near
each end of the saloon deck, and rising in the centre to about ten feet above
the hurricane deck to give greater depth and strength to the vessel in the
centre. A third arched girder may run along the centre of the vessel if
thought requisite. The vessel is also further strengthened by diagonal bracing
or stays running through the points of junction of the longitudinal and traus-
verse bulkheads, as represented by the dotted diagonal lines in Figure 1.
My improvements in paddle wheels are illustrated at Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8
in the Drawings. In Figure 5 the floats a, a, are each composed of three
blades at an angle of sixty degrees to each other fixed to one boss, which turns
loosely on a spindle running transversely across the face of the paddle wheel.
The surface of the blades (and consequently the pressure of the water) being
equal on each side of the centre will keep them in the most efficient position
whilst passing through the water, whilst their being mounted loosely on their
spindles will allow them to turn slightly and get rid of the "back water on
entering or leaving the same. In Figure 6 the blades a, a, are in two parts
mounted on two spindles, similar to a pair of dock gates, the spindles not
"

page_text: passing through the centre of their width, but so as to leave the larger surface
of each blade outside the spindle. Figure 7 is a side elevation, and Figure 8
an edge view of a modification of this arrangement of paddle wheel. The
floats act in precisely a similar manner to those last described, but instead of
being mounted on spindles runningtransverselyacross the face of the wheel, they
are mounted and turn upon spindles placed in radial directions from the centre.
Thegreaterpressure of water against the larger area outside the centre closes
the floats on entering the water, and keeps them closed until they begin to
rise from the surface; the outer edges rise first,and the greater pressure of the
water inside the spindles then opens the floats and allows the back water to
escape.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for
"Improvements in the Construction of Ocean Steamers and Paddle Wheels
for Propelling the same, which Paddle Wheels are also applicable to the
Propulsion of other Steam Vessels," together with the manner in which the
same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would
remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention, -
Firstly, the peculiar novel construction and arrangement of ocean steamers
as represented at Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the annexed Drawing and above
described.
And, secondly, I claim the peculiar novel construction of paddle wheels
shown at Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the said Drawing and herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Isaac Merritt Singer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
I. M. SINGER. (L.S.)