IMPROVEMENTS IN COAST DEFENCES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Theodore Ruggles Timby, Engineer, of Nyack, in the
County of Rockland, State of New York, in the United States of America,
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN COAST DEFENCES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Theodore Ruggles Timby at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1881.
"
THEODORE RUGGLES TIMBY, Engineer, of Nyack, in the County of Rockland,
State of New York, in the United States of America. IMPROVEMENTS IN COAST
DEFENCES."
The Invention consists in part in so mounting a turret or tower that beside a
rotary movement on a vertical axis it may when desired be moved around a centre
or centres other than its own, so as to change its position relatively to an enemy's
guns.
To this end the revolving turret or tower is mounted on a moving base, which
may be carried bodily around or partially around a centre or centres outside of
itself, or may be rotated on an axis other than that of the revolving turret or tower,
so that such rotation of said turret or tower being adjustable radially on the base,
so that the rotation of the base on an axis eccentric to the revolving turret or
tower may move the latter bodily to a new position. In carrying the Invention
into practice a bed or base is employed capable of revolution on a vertical axis on a
suitable foundation, and having on its upper surface a suitable slot and ways for
the support and the adjustment to and from the centre of the base of the tower or
turret, which latter is also capable of rotation on a vertical axis independently of
the rotating base or bed by which it is supported and carried.
Adequate and suitable mechanism for imparting the required rotation to the bed
or base, and the tower on the said bed or base, and moving or adjusting the tower

page_text: to or from the centre of the bed or base are within the knowledge of mechanics
and do not require specific description.
Screw gearing, racks and pinions, or any suitable mechanical appliances may be
used for these purposes.
The tower or turret is pierced with embrasures for guns of any size or character.
The revolving base or bed may also constitute a casemate, being pierced with
embrasures for guns.
From the above description it will appear that the revolving tower or turret
when set in the centre of the bed or base may derive its rotation from the rotation
of the bed or base, or may be rotated independently thereon, as preferred, but that
when adjusted radially outward the said tower, beside its ordinary functions as a
revolving tower for the mounting and working of guns, can by the independent
movement of the revolving base or bed on its own axis be carried bodily to another
position, and thus removed out of the range of an enemy's guns after they have
been trained upon it in the position first held.
The Invention further relates to the combination with the one or more revolving
and moveable turrets or towers of one or more moles or covers, behind or partially
behind which the tower or towers may be moved for protection.
For this purpose an impregnable mole or mound may be constructed of either
iron, wood, masonry, or of earth.
It is preferably made of earth, and may be made hollow so as to constitute a
magazine for ammunition or garrison stores.
The mole may be circular, elliptical, or of any other desired shape. The said.
mole is surrounded by a track or way of circular, elliptical, or any preferred regular
or irregular forin, and this is preferably surrounded by a parapet or breast work
for the protection of the track. A second mole may be employed, and the ways
may extend between the two moles as well as around both; a revolving tower or
turret may move around the one mole or between the two upon ways and be
propelled by any suitable mechanism. Steam or compressed air may be used as a
power. The means of propulsion do not require specific description, as they will
be varied to suit the exigencies of the case, and suitable devices for the purpose are
familiar to engineers and mechanics. The inventor is enabled to mask or cover
the revolving tower or turret from 100° or even 120° of the horizon, thus affording
complete seclusion and protection from an enemy located anywhere within that
angle. By moving the revolving tower in its orbit as required it may be passed
out of cover for the purpose of delivering its fire, and then returned under cover
for protection; or it may be arranged so as to expose one half or even less of its
area while delivering an effective fire against an enemy. Two or more towers
may be used with one mole, or two or more moles may be used with one, two, or
more towers.
The Invention possesses great practical value in the facility it affords for
attacking and destroying an approaching enemy in detail.
The Invention further relates to the combination with revolving towers for
working guns of chains, adapted, to be drawn up in or across a channel to obstruct
the passage of vessels.
The Invention further relates to the combination of a number of chains for
obstructing a channel, and one or more buoys applied crosswise to the chains, so
as while aiding in the suspension of the chains to connect them so that they may
mutually support each other.
Any desirable number of parallel chains may be extended across a channel
between two towers; or, if preferred, such chains may be used with a single tower
containing the apparatus for drawing them up into effective position, their remote
ends being permanently attached or anchored in any efficient manner. Any
desirable number of buoys are placed across the chains, so as to connect them and
partially support their weight in the water.
By their buoyant effect they render it quite casy to draw and support the chains

page_text: as near to the surface of the water as may be desirable, and all the chains being
by their means securely connected the said chains are caused to mutually support
each other against a horizontal strain, so that any stress brought on one of them
by an approaching vessel will be borne by all combined, and the pressure against
the first of the chains will cause the whole series to tilt up in an inclined position,
so as to afford an insurmountable barrier to the passage of the ship.
The buoys may be made hollow of metal, or solid of any buoyant material, and
are provided with recesses for the reception of the chains and keys for retaining
the chains therein. The buoys may thus be readily slipped on the chains to the
desired positions, or put on and off as required.

page_text: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a revolving tower and protecting mole;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same; Figure 3 is a vertical section thereof; Figure 4
is a perspective view illustrating a mode of moving a tower around or between two
.moles; Figure 5 is a plan of the same; Figure 6 is a plan view showing an
elongated mole with parallel sides and with parallel tracks or ways connected by
curves at the ends; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the tower in central
position on a revolving base; Figure 8 is a perspective. view showing the tower in
excentric position on the base; Figure 9 is a plan also showing the tower in
excentric position; Figure 10 is a vertical section on the line 10-10, Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of two towers and a system of chains and buoys
between them extending across a channel, and showing in dotted lines the chains
stretched in nearly horizontal position so as to obstruct the passage of vessels;
Figure 12 is a plan view of a part of the chains and buoys; Figure 13 is a vertical
section of the same on the broken line 13--13, Figure 12.
A represents an impregnable mole or mound which may be constructed of either
iron, wood, masonry, or of earth. It is preferably made of earth, and may be
made hollow, as illustrated in Figure 3, so as to constitute a magazine for
ammunition or garrison or other stores. The mole may be circular, elliptical, or
of any other desired shape. The said mole is surrounded by a track or way B

page_text: of circular, elliptical, or any preferred regular or irregular form, and this is
preferably surrounded by a parapet or breast work C for the protection of the
track.
Figures 4 and 5 show a second mole A¹ and the ways B extending between the
two moles as well as around both. D represents my revolving tower or turret in
position mounted to move around the mole A. or A¹, or between the two upon the
ways B, and propelled by any suitable mechanism. Steam or compressed air may
be used as a power. The means of propulsion do not require specific description
as they will be varied to suit the exigences of the case, and suitable devices for the
purpose are familiar to engineers and mechanics. E represents a platform or bed
forming the base on which the movable tower or turret D revolves on a vertical
axis; represents a smoke stack for the steam engine or other furnace. It is
preferably located between the revolving tower or turret D and the mole A in
order to prevent its exposure. The relative proportions of the mole and revolving
tower may be varied at pleasure. In practice the mole may be larger in diameter
relatively to the revolving tower or turret than it is here represented. I am
thereby enabled to mask or cover the revolving tower or turret from 100 degrees,
or even 120 degrees of the horizon, as illustrated in Figure 2, thus affording
complete seclusion and protection from an enemy located anywhere within that
angle. By moving the revolving tower in its orbit as required it may be passed
out of cover for the purpose of delivering its fire, and then returned under cover for
protection; or it may be arranged so as to expose one half or even less of its area
while delivering an effective fire against an enemy.
Two or more towers may be used with one mole, or two or more moles may be
used with one, two, or more towers.
My Invention possesses great practical value in the facility it affords for attacking
and destroying an approaching enemy in detail. This is illustrated by diagram in
Figure 2. Supposing an attacking. fleet to be moving on the works in line of
battle, as illustrated at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, the position of the tower or turret D
under cover of the mole renders it impossible to concentrate a fire upon it, while by
moving the tower or turret to the position shown in dotted lines its fire can be
delivered against the first vessel and only be exposed to the fire of a single vessel,
being covered by the mole from all the rest. This vessel being disabled or
destroyed the next one can be taken separately, and so on in detail. The mobility
of the tower or turret also admits of its being quickly placed out of range as often
as required, so as to render it impossible for even the single vessel which is being
struck to deliver an effective fire against the tower, while the fire of the moving
tower continues to be delivered with accuracy and effect.
In Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, B' represents a bed or base capable of revolution on a
vertical axis on a suitable foundation A2, and having on its upper surface a suitable
slot and ways, indicated at C', for the support and the adjustment to and from the
centre of the base B' of a tower or turret D, which latter is also capable of rotation
on a vertical axis independently of the rotating base or bed B₁ by which it is
supported and carried.
Adequate and suitable mechanism for imparting the required rotation to the bed
or base B' and the tower D on the said bed or base, and moving or adjusting the
tower D to or from the centre of the bed or base are within the knowledge of
mechanics, and do not require specific description. Screw gearing, racks and
pinions, or any suitable mechanical appliances may be used for these purposes.
The tower or turret D is pierced with embrasures d for guns of any size or
character. The revolving base or bed B¹ may also constitute a casemate, being
pierced with embrasures for guns, as shown at d¹.
From the above description it will appear that the revolving tower or turret D
when set in the centre of the bed or base B¹ may derive its rotation from the
rotation of the bed or base, or may be rotated independently thereon, as preferred,
but that when adjusted radially outward, as illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the
said tower, beside its ordinary functions as a revolving tower for the mounting

page_text: and working of guns, can by the independent movement of the revolving base or
bed B on its own axis be carried bodily to another position, and thus removed
out of the range of an enemy's guns after they have been trained upon it in the
position first held.
In Figures 11, 12, and 13, G, G, represent any desirable number of parallel
chains extended across a channel between two towers D, D, or if preferred said
chains may be used with a single tower containing the apparatus for drawing them
up into effective position, their remote ends being permanently attached or anchored
in any efficient manner. Any desirable number of buoys H, H, are placed across
the chains so as to connect them and partially support their weight in the water.
By their buoyant effect they render it quite casy to draw and support the chains
as near to the surface of the water as may be desirable, and all the chains being by
their means securely connected the said chains are caused to mutually support
each other against a horizontal strain, so that any stress brought on one of them
by an approaching vessel will be borne by all combined, and the pressure against
the first of the chains will cause the whole series to tilt up in an inclined position
so as to offer an insurmountable barrier to the passage of the ship.
The buoys may be made hollow of metal, or solid of any buoyant material, and
are provided with recesses I, I, for the reception of the chains G and keys J, J, for
retaining the chains therein. The buoys may thus be readily slipped on the chains
to the desired positions, or put on and off as required.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in
which the same may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that what
I claim is,-
First. A tower or turret made to revolve on a vertical axis, and mounted either
directly or indirectly on suitable ways so as to move around or partially around
another centre or centres either in a concentric or excentric line, for mounting,
moving, training, or handling guns.
Second. A turret or tower mounted on a moving base by which said turret or
tower may be carried around a centre or centres other than its own.
Third. A turret or tower mounted on a revolving bed or base, and capable of
independent rotation thereon.
Fourth. The combination of a revolving bed or base and a turret or tower
adjustable radially thereon.
Fifth. The combination of a revolving bed or base and a turret or tower mounted
thercon, and capable of independent rotation and radial adjustment, as shown.
Sixth. One or more rotating turrets or towers in combination with one or more
moles, masks, or covers, around or partially around which the tower or towers may
be moved at will, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The combination of one or more revolving towers or turrets, and one
or more chains adapted to be drawn up across a channel to obstruct the passage of
vessels, as explained.
Eighth. The chains G in combination with buoys H movable or adjustable
thereon, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Theodore Ruggles Timby, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witnesses,
OCTAVIUS KNIGHT.
LOUIS M. HOPKINS.
THEODORE RUGGLES TIMBY. (L.S.)