IMPROVE- MENTS IN BUILDING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES K..
Howe, of the City of New York, in the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day.
of April, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James K. Howe, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said James K.
Howe, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
K. Howe, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend;
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BUILDING SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso, that I, the said James K. Howe, shall cause a,
particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's. High Court of

page_text: Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James K. Howe, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:
My improvement consists in a method of giving to the outside or external
shape of the hull of the vessel or boat, of whatever size may be required, the
form of arcs of circles in combination, approaching or resembling elliptical
lines, and of ellipses under certain rules and relative proportions, hereafter to
be described, and these circles or ellipses are to be applied as well to the
lateral shape and position of the sides or ribs of the vessel as to the shape of
the underside or bottom of the vessel, measuring on a line following the keel
from stem to stern. In order to carry out this method (taking one particular
example for illustration) I first take the exact length of the vessel required
upon a straight keel, measured between two perpendiculars, from stem and
stern, and in order to find a point, which I call the centre or central point,
upon said keel to work from, I take a point distant one-third from the end of
this line forwards, and two-thirds from the end aft, the one-third forward being
for the bows of the vessel, and the two-thirds aft being for the after part and
dead rise. This rule of taking a central point to start from to form the hull
of the vessel forward and aft is invariable, and, as will hereafter be seen, is the
starting point in my discovery in any given length of vessel to be constructed.
I next proceed to obtain the width or breadth of beam of the vessel over this
central point, and the proper width or breadth of beam over this point for a
vessel strictly according to my improvement, and taking a particular scale for
illustration, is just one-sixth of the length, and the depth of the hold between
the keel line aforesaid and the deck, or rather what I call the deck line, upon
the same strict plan, should be just one-half of this; that is to say, one-
twelfth the length of the vessel. . It should be observed that the deck may be
placed in practice above or below this line, which I call the deck line, as set
forth hereafter. .I then proceed to obtain the curve for the ribs or side of the
vessel. To do this I take a vertical line from the central point upon the keel
above described, and extend that vertical line to a point distant above the
central point one-half the breadth or one-twelfth the length of the vessel, and
I make this point the centre of a circle, with this vertical line for a radius,

page_text: and the arc of the circle formed by this line for a radius will be the curve or
arc required for the ribs of the vessel and her sides, vertically....
Having thus given the method of obtaining the depth of hold from the
deck line to the upper surface of the keel at the central point aforesaid, and
also the breadth of beam above this central point, and the curve of the vessel's
ribs or sides vertically, I now proceed to obtain the form or shape of the
vessel longitudinally, following the under side or bottom of the vessel along the
keel from stem to stern. And first, to obtain the curve or dead rise forwards
of the above-mentioned central point upon the line of the keel, this must be
formed also upon the arc of a circle, to be obtained as follows:-Take for a
centre of this circle a point vertical to the central point aforesaid in the keel
line aforesaid, and distant from it so far that a line between these two points.
for a radius will describe an arc or circle, the arc of which, beginning at the
central point upon the keel line aforesaid, shall, being extended, pass through
a third point, distant from this vertical line or radius one-third the length of
the vessel forwards, and at the height above the line of the keel aforesaid of
one-twelfth of the length of the vessel; or, in other words, so that this, arc
will pass through a point in the deck line above described forwards, distant.
one-third the vessel's length from the vertical line just described for a radius,
and vertical to the keel line, this point being the point of the stem or forward
end of the vessel. Upon the keel, or into it, with this arc or curve for its
rise and the dead rise forwards, are to be placed the ribs, the keel rising
according to their curve; for this purpose, the said ribs being placed or arranged
according to a rule herein-after to be described.
It will be observed that the curves of the ribs or sides of the vessel verti
cally at the central point having been obtained in the manner before described,
all the ribs or standing side timbers for the whole length of the vessel fore and
aft from stem to stern are to be of this same arc or curve, so that every part
of the bottom and sides of the hull, looking horizontally of the vessel, shall
have the same curvature, and but one curve of rib will be required throughout
the whole length of the vessel.
The next thing to be determined is the rise of the vessel upon the keel abaft
the central point, or the dead rise aft, as it is called. This rise must also be
the arc of a circle, whose radius shall be the same line as that for the circle
or curve for the forward part or bows just described; but this line for radius.
for the curve now required must be between three and four times the length
of the line for radius for the circle or curve for the bows, or about the pro-
portion of three and one-third to one, for entire exactness is not easily attain.

page_text: able, and a circle or are drawn with this line for a radius, the centro being at
the vertical point at the end of the line, and carried from the aforesaid central
point aft in continuation of the curve or are forwards, will pass through a point
upon the deck line at the stern of the vessel, which will be distant from the
*central line of radius along the deck line in the same plane as the circle, two-
thirds the length of the vessel. Upon this curve, between the central point
and the point last mentioned at the stern, the keel is to be raised and formed,
and the ribs are to be set into the keel upon the same curve. The combina-
tion of the two arcs of circles, and the continuation of their curves together in
one line, the smaller oue forwards and the larger one aft, forms nearly an
elliptical curve, and approaching an elliptical water line from stem to stern.
The result of this mode of applying the arcs of two unequal circles for the
bottom curve on the line of the keel is that for every amount of dead rise
forward of the central point on the line of the keel for any given distance you
must take double that distance upon the keel line aft, the central point for the
same amount of dead rise, that is to say, if your keel or dead rise rises one inch
for one foot measured on the keel line forwards, it must rise but one inch for
every two feet measured on the keel line aft the central point; this propor-
tion of measurement is not strictly and perfectly exact, and would produce a
slight variation from the true curve line aft in vessels of considerable length;
to be perfectly accurate the curve line must be strictly followed.
.
It is next to be observed that the ribs are to be set into the dead rise or
keel in such a manner that they shall all look to the centre of the circle, the
are of which forms the dead rise fore or aft, as they are fore or aft of the
central point respectively; this, it will be seen, will make the rib at the central
point rise in a plane vertical to this point, while those fore and aft gradually
converge as they rise upon the curve of the circle, and their planes point
towards the respective centres of the circles, of which the curves fore and aft
are a part. It will be observed, that in placing the ribs fore and aft of the
central point in their proper places upon the curve or arc of the dead rise
forwards or aft respectively, in the manner above described, the upper ends of
the ribs, if of the same length as the central rib, or nearly so, will necessarily
rise up towards the bows and stern above the deck line, according as the curve
for dead rise at bows or stern rises. These upper ends of the ribs are to be
cut off as they rise at such point above the deck line as may be required for
bulwarks, so that a line drawn along their ends when so cut off will be level, or
in the same level plane or nearly so; the shear or rise of bulwarks, however,
may be varied. The planking of the vessel may be placed over the ribs or

page_text: sides of the vessel in the usual manner. The keel, which I have described.
above as laid out the whole length of the vessel upon square lines between
perpendiculars, may, if actually so made in practice, be afterwards cut away
and shaped to suit the shape or dead rise of the vessel, as may be required.
Having thus described the method of building the hull of a vessel upon one
particular scale or rule of my discovery and improvement, I now proceed to
further illustrate this by reference to the Drawings. In Figure 1, the line
B, A, represents the keel line of the length of the vessel required between the
perpendiculars J, A, and C, B; the line E, E, E, E, between C and J, is the
deck line; the line H, I, is the line of the rib tops or ends, extending above
the deck line and forming the bulwarks above the deck line; J, C, O, is the
central point in the keel line, one-third of the length of the keel from A, J,
and two-thirds from B, C; the line between F and O is the radius of the circle
forming the curve of the bows or dead rise forwards; F, J, is the radius of the
same circle, touching the deck line at J; and O, J, is the arc or curve. The
line O, F, the radius of the circle for the bows, being extended between three
and four times, its length to G making the vertical line. C, F, O, constitutes
the radius for the circle or arc for the dead rise aft between. O, C, producing a
rise aft the centre point as nearly as possible one half of the same distance of
the rise forwards of the central point. The ribs are shown by the numerals.
from 1 to 30. The inclination of the ribs towards the centres of the respective
circles forming the curve of the bow and stern is shewn by the variation from
the vertical dotted lines at 6, 11, 16, 21, and 26. The line O, K, shews the.
depth from deck line to keel line at the central point. The curve C, O, J,
shews the entire shape of the hull on the keel line and the dead rise fore
and aft.
The circles L, L, L, L, L, shew the curve of the ribs, and the points where.
they are cut off, and what height or portion of the arc is left when cut off to a
level with the top of the central rib, at the points indicated by the dotted lines
running from these circles to the ribs 6, 11, 16, 21, and 26. In these circles
the continuous black lines shew the exact length of the arc constituting the
ribs at the points just referred to by the numbers 6, 11, 16, 21, and 26, the
points where the continuous black lincs meet in the circles L, L, L, L, L, being
all on the same level. The breadth of the vessel at these points is also shewn
by the space between the points where the ribs are cut off.
Having thus set forth the method of shaping the hull, according to the
particular scale above set forth, I now proceed to describe how my discovery
and improvement is to be applied to vessels whose hulls are required of greater

page_text: or less depth of hold, or greater or less width of hold at the bottom, or greater
or less curve of dead rise following the line of the keel fore and aft. This
system is susceptible of every variety of form in its application to the hulls of
vessels, but always preserving the relative proportion fore and aft of the central
point in the curve of the line of keel above set forth, and also always making
the curves of the ribs through the whole length of the vessel the same or upon
the same parts of circles, so as to make every part of the water line of the
vessel the same, and carrying out the application of the arc of the circle or
circles combined through her sides and shape below externally from bows to
stern, so that there shall be no straight line or surface in the outline.
If it be required to build a vessel of a given length, but of a more moderate
dead rise fore and aft, the points D, C, through which the circles fore and aft
are to pass from O, are to be- lowered, so as to make the circles larger, as in
Figure 2. The line. C, O, D, represents the bottom curve, the radius of the
arc C,O, being between three and four times in length that of the radius of the
arc O, D; the length of the vessel in Figure 2 being the same as that in
Figure 1, but the curve of the bottom fore and aft and of the ribs or
sides very different.
When it is required to give the vessel an increased area of bearings on her
sides, or to have her width or flattening of bottom greater than would result
from the form of the circle given by the rule above laid down in the first part
of the Specification, it will be necessary to carry out my system of elliptical
curves or arcs of circles, or of both combined, to adopt the following method or
rules-Take a line equal to the width or breadth of beam of the vessel at the
deck line over the central point O. Divide this line into two equal parts, and
let these parts of the line when so divided be the horizontal diameters of two
circles touching each other (as in Figure 2 at L, L, L, L, &c.) The curves of
these circles will be the curve for the ribs of the vessel for a certain length upon
the sides. Then to get the curve for the bottom of the vessel or lower portion
of the ribs in connection with and continuation of the arcs or segments of those
circles, a larger circle must be drawn, the curve of which shall touch externally
the lower curves of the two circles just mentioned, but must never cut them,
as is shewn in Figure 2, L, L, L, L, L. The arcs of the two circles
together in continuation forming a curve approaching the curve of an ellipse,
and that part of the curve of the greater circle which is between the two points
where the greater circle touches the two lesser ones, is to be taken for the
curve of the remaining part of the ribs required; the arcs of the three circles
together in combination forming a curve resembling an elliptical curve, and

page_text: constituting the curve or shape of rib or sides of the vessel throughout. Tako
in Figure 2, L, the two smaller circles of which are formed upon two diame-
ters equal together to the width of the vessel; the larger circle, with radius
oqual to the two diameters of the smaller circles, represented by the dotted
lines c, c, c, strikes the outer lower curves of the two smaller circles at d, e,
and the arc of the larger circle between these two touching points, d, e, is the
curve for the bottom of the vessel or lower part of the rib.
When it is required to have the vessel of a still greater width in proportion
to the depth, or to have the bottom still more shallow and spreading, two
circles are to be drawn as before, their two diameters united, however, being
less than the width of the vessel, so that their arcs shall not be cut by the arc
of the greater circle to be drawn for the curve of the bottom; these circles
are then to be so far apart that the space between them, together with their
diameters united, shall equal the width of the vessel over the central point on
the deck line, and so that the larger circle to be drawn as before, so as to
touch the points corresponding to d, e, will be the curve in continuation for
the bottom of the vessel in connection with the smaller circles for the sides;
the three arcs or segments together forming the entire rib. All the ribs, fore
and aft, are to be cut off this form of curve precisely, and placed upon the curve
of the dead rise of the keel fore and aft, their tops being cut off at the required
distance for the bulwarks, on nearly an even line, having three-fifths of the
circle above the keel or keel line for the bulwarks, which hence curve
slightly inwards; the height of these, however, may be varied. The curves and
form of these sections of ribs cut off as they rise a tparticular points; when they
are set into the keel, are shown in Figure 2, at L', L, L³, L*, L³, their tops
being on an even line, and being set into the keel on the curve line C, O, D,
at the points indicated by the lower extremity of the dotted lines m², m³, m³,
m², mo.
It will be seen by experiment, that these methods of forming the entire ribs
for the vessel's sides are capable of every degree of variation within any given
length, or length and width, preserving at the same time in every variation the
principle of the curved lines of the circle or ellipse, or both combined, through-
out the whole lower external shape of the vessel.
·
'
With regard to the method of obtaining the arcs of the circles required in
actual practice, it may be done in any way most convenient, either by the use
of a line or cord for a radius, or for using the dividers upon a scale adapted to
their powers, and then measuring the circles and parts of circles, and 'adapting
them in proper proportions to the large scale required. The keel of a vessel,

page_text: her hull or bottom, being constructed' as above, will stand out at a pretty sharp
angle to the vessel's bottom, which, in a large vessel for ocean navigation,
would be inconvenient, as offering too straight a surface upon the side of the
kcel to the action and force of the waves. The space between the keel and
bottom aft may be carried out or filled by an easy line formed by taking a
section of the arc of one of the smaller circles used for the curves of the ribs,
and placing it reversed on either side of the keel aft, as at a, b, c, in Figure 3,
thus still preserving and carrying out everywhere the curved outline made up of
circles. In Figure 3, 6 represents the bottom of the keel at the stern; a, c, the
bottom of the vessel; a, b, c, d, the filling up of the open space by the reversed
section or arc of the circle. Where the space between the keel and bottom aft
is carried out or filled as just described, the space between the keel and bottom
forwards must also be carried out or filled in the same manner, so as to pre-
serve even or equal bearings for and aft; but it is to be observed that this
filling out both fore and aft must be continued from the central point O,
beginning with nothing at that point, and gradually widening towards the stern
and bows upon a curve beginning at the said central point, and being the
curve or arc of a circle somewhat larger than that forming the curve of dead
rise aft and forwards respectively, so that an easy line will be produced, but the
filling out forwards may in some cases be dispensed with. The position of the
rudder should be somewhat different from the common mode. The rudder is
to be hung in the same plane as the keel, but obliquely, so that the lower part
shall be hung further forwards (the keel being bevilled off for that purpose)
than the upper part, so that when the helm is turned the rudder will not turn
upon a vertical axis, but one considerably oblique. The operation of the
rudder hung in this manner, when turned, tends to lift the stern of the vessel
when pulling about, and causing her to turn quicker and easier.
The bottom or line of dead rise of the vessel may also be obtained of lines
composed of ellipses by taking the same point O for à centre or starting point
and making the dead riso aft that point of an ellipse whose larger (or
transverse) axis shall be equal to twice two-thirds the length of the vessel; and
whose shorter (or conjugate) axis shall be oqual to twice the depth of the
vessel, and for the dead rise forwards of the central point an ellipse whose
larger (or transverse) axis shall be equal to twice one-third the length of the
vessel, and its shorter (or conjugate) axis the same as that of the other
ellipse. These two ellipses divided at their shorter axes and the half of the
two joined together at their shorter axis, so that the longer axis may be in one
and the same straight line, will form the dead rise for the whole length of the

page_text: vessel and her shape underneath from stem to stern; the form of the ribs also
may be that of an ellipse, produced by taking for the curve of rib over or at
the central point the outline of the ellipso produced by taking for one axis tho
width of the vessel, and for the other axis twice the depth of hold, all the
other ribs to be of the same form. The ribs in this case are to be set in their
places upon the line of dead rise, their planes being perpendicular to the line
of dead rise, and as they rise upon it are to be cut off to suit the shear of the
vessel required; the central rib should, however, always rise to three-fifths of
its diameter, as it should also in cases where the rib is obtained of circles.
The combination and arrangement of curves, as above described, in all the
various proportions or figures which may be required for the length, breadth,
depth, curvature of bottom and sides, &c., for the vessel required, I believe to
be upon a principle conformable to mathematical or geometrical truths or
principle strictly, and they produce for vessels the figures most nearly cor-
responding to those natural figures and forms of creatures whose element is
the water, and whose shapes are adapted in the most perfect proportions for
rapid motion in that element. I believe it will be found that carrying out the
principle of the rule herein first above laid down, so as to fill up the figure
above as well as below, a figure will be produced corresponding very
accurately in outline with that of the humpbacked whale, which is a fish of
great speed.
It follows from the foregoing system that the hulls of vessels produced
according to it present no straight lines or surfaces whatever to the water, but
everywhere, horizontally and vertically, are curves, a thing which I believe has
never before been attained in ship building. Another result is that their
sides must always exactly correspond with each other, which has not before
been attainable with entire accuracy. A further effect is, that the sides being
throughout their length upon the same curve, or rather equal curves, when the
curve of the central rib is obtained all the others may be cut or sawed to
correspond, doing away with the necessity of moulds and of laying off upon the
moulding floor in a great measure, and producing a great reduction in the
expense of building by the ordinary method, as well as saving of labor, &c.
Also, further, a vessel built in this manner, owing to the shape of the ribs
and the manner of setting them upon the keel, their planes pointing to centres,
will be of greater strength and power to resist the action of heavy seas, and
will present also an easy surface, so that their force will be much less felt
and the waves more easily turned aside. Further, the vessel will sail faster
and nearer to the wind than vessels built in the usual manner, and will also

page_text: Thus, for example, in Figure 1, to find the radius G 0:-
Given the length of the vessel J C = 6 inches.
Given the depth of the vessel KO =
Hence
(+)
2
(4)
do.
= 16 = 16 = GO, the required radius in inches.
The reason of this rule may be learned from the following mathematical
solution founded on Figure 1:-
GO=GC
G C GO G K + KC
G 0³=(GO_(K 0)³ + K C³
GO²= GO* + K 0-2 (GO-K O) + K C³
2 (GOK O)= K 0$ + K C'
GO=
K O'-K C
2KO
Upon examination it will be seen that this last equation is the mathematical
form of expressing the rule last above laid down.
That which I claim as my discovery and improvement in the foregoing is,
the producing of figures or forms for the hulls of vessels of all sizes, according
to the arcs or curves of two unequal circles in continuation, or of ellipsis for
the dead rise fore and aft, by the method and in the manner and with the
proportions above described in combination with curves or arcs of a circle or
circles for the ribs and sides, made up throughout of similar curves, and set
upon or along the curve of dead rise fore and aft, in the manner above described,
with the planes of the ribs pointing or converging towards the centers of the
circles of which the curves for dead rise fore and aft are respectively formed,
or when the ellipse is used with their planes perpendicular to tangents of the
line of dead rise. All which, with the variations of which it is susceptible,
I claim to be a new and highly important improvement in the art of ship-
building.
In witness whereof, I, the said James K. Howe, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight
JAMES K. (L.B.) HOWE.
Taken and acknowledged by James K. Howe (party
hereto), at New York, in the United States of
America, this 23rd day of May 1848, before me,
ANTH. BARCLAY,
Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at New York.

page_text: This is the Specification referred
sworn before me, this 4th of August 1848.
J. JEFFERSON.
SAMUEL CARPMAEL, of Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,.
maketh oath and saith that he is acquainted with the manner and character
of the handwriting of Anthony Barclay, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at
New York, in the United States of America. And this deponent further
saith, that the signature "Anth. Barclay," set, subscribed, or written in the
margin of the Specification hereunto annexed, marked A., and dated the
Twenty-third day of May last past, and purporting to be executed by James
K. Howe, of the City of New York aforesaid, Manufacturer, whereby it is
stated that the said Specification was acknowledged by him, the said James K.
Howe, before the said Anthony Barclay, on the said Twenty-third day of
May, at New York aforesaid, is of the proper handwriting of the said Anthony
Barclay