Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM ATKINSON of 45 Biscay Road, Fulham Palace Rd Hammersmith
London, Marine Engineer, seek leave to amend the specification of Letters
Patent, No. 4531 of 1884, as shown in red ink in the copy of the original
specification hereunto annexed :-
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-Incorrect Spelling,
Syntax. & incomplete description.

page_text: I WILLIAM ATKINSON Marine Engineor No. 45 Biscay Road Hammersmith
London in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for PERCOLATING AUTOMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
AND APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS AND OTHER SUBMERGED BODIES
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The principle principal Figure on the accompanying Drawing is an ovoid shaped
apparatus or buoy the letters, A, denoting an outline of the same-Inside and
towards the bottom of the buoy is placed a partition or false bottom, W, dividing
it into two chambers the lower one, C, and the upper one, D, both chambers being
watertight and having communation communication with one another through a
valve, E, let into the centre of the partition which is kept from eseilating oscillating
by a spindle passing upwards from its centre through a eelender-in cylinder on
brackets. To the valve is attached a lever, F, worked by an iron rod, X, which
passes upwards through a stuffing box, Z, fixed on the partition, W, and thence up
to the top of the chamber, D, and through another stuffing box, Z, into the a
compartment, I, let into the top of the apparatus buoy where it is controlled by
the a lever H, having attached to it at its extreme end a a rope or chain, B, passing
down to the bottom of the compartment, I, and thence under a wheel passing
upwards to and out of the top of the apparatus buoy at the point, L.
Attached to the lever, H, is a valve, I, opened-by being pressed-down opening
through the bottom of the compartment, I, into the chamber D, to allow of air
escapeing,-at-the same time filling the apparatus with water for sinking of at the
same-time. escaping when it is necessary to sink the buoys by allowing them to
fill with water.
This valve, M, opens downwards by invertion rendering its internal pressure
quite sufficient-to-withstand any amount of tonnge-of compressed-air-required to
foree the water out of the apparatus-at-or-in-any-depth it is required to be sent
down-or-sunky and for the better purpose of keeping it closed when it is requisite to do
80 a spindle passes down from valve, M, having a circular-spring its centre through
a mettal metal box N, the-spring-enclosed-in-this-box is so-arranged-as-to-press-the
valve--upwards--into its seat with--sufficient foree--to-raise the lever H, being
supported-by-two-iron-bars, S, S, fixed-in-valve-seatings-and-cross-bar-and-keeping
supported on an iron plate held in position by two brackets, S, S, set in the seat of
the valve which has a hole through it directly under the centre of the box N to allow
of the beforementioned spindle passing through. Within this box is enclosed a
spring attached to the spindle, so arranged as to press the valve upwards into its
seat with sufficient force to keep it both air and watertight. The reason and
necessity for this valve passing (falling) upwardes into its seat will be reconised

page_text: by observeing recognised when it is explained that when the air is pmped injected
into the apparatus for expeling the purpose of expelling the water therefrom there
will necessarily be a great pressure to the square inch and when, that operation is
taking place the keeping of the valve perfectly closed is of the greatest consequence
as the air percolating up through the water in gleubles will; the air therefore
while ejecting the water would also keep the valve closed by pressing it into its
seat in poportion proportion to the requisite pressure required to compel push the
water to-go out through the valve, E, into--the--outside--water-und-leaveing--the
apparatus-full-of-air.
Those partes parts of the Drawing figure marked, K, presents represent two
pipes or euphons for the passing passage of water both into and out of the apparatus
passing and run from the chamber, C, upwards through the partition, W, into the
chamber, D, and up thence along the inner sides of the apparatus through--the
eiphons they having entire and have communication with the outside water at the
points marked by two arrows being which would be about a third distant of the
distance from the bottom of the apparatus along its sides to the centre of the crown;
their entrances being guarded with by wire network or perforated metal plutes to
prevent them being choked or blocked up by debres passing any debris that might
otherwise get into them three or six of these-ciphons are used as no matter how
the apparatus-may be lying on the bed of the sea there will alway be two or more
eiphons-upward-for-exit. For the sake of not interfering with the clearness of the
drawing, two only of these pipes are shewn, but the buoy would be constructed with
three, each one being placed apart from its fellows one third of the buoys circum-
ference. The reason for so placing them will be apparent, as no matter on which
side the apparatus may be lying when on the bottom of the sea, there will always be
one or more of their entrances free for the ingress or egress of water.
P, P, is a mettal metal tube through which air is pumped into the apparatus and
passes from the chamber, I, to the bottom of the apparatus where-it-passes-through
the-mettle into at the side of a metal air valve box, R, this-air-box-is-hollowed-out
bored from the top downwards inside-at-right-angles-fer to allow of an-air a valve
ball being worked inside the apparatus, the-air-passing from placed into it, and
then at right angles to admit the pipe, P, and through the boring in--which--the
pipe, is fixed and through which the air-passes from the pipe into the box, R,
and-out-through the box by lifting-the-valve ball into the apparatus when the air
with great force percolating in large--gloubles through the interieur water up-to
the-inside-crown-of apparatus where it is compressed by-accumulation-and-the-air
pressure becomeing greater-inside-the-apparatus than the water pressure-is-outside
the-apparatus-this-compels-the-water to pass out leaving the air-in-full-occupation
for raising the-apparatus, bringing up the wreek or whatever is-attached-to-it-The
lines passing obliquely downwards from the top of the box represent the bore; and
those connected therewith and running horizontally towards and joining the
pipe P; the boring into which the pipe P is fixed and through which the air
passes from this pipe into the box and out through the top into the buoy,-the
small circle between the oblique lines in-air-box, R, represents the valve ball and
is there to prevent any back pressure of water or--escape of air-through from
passing into the pipe, P.
The top of the rod, X, controling the lever, F, which is inside the chamber, I,
has a slot perpendicularly cut through it to allow of the lever, H, passing through
and of such a length and in such a manner that when the chain, B, is pulled to
allow of the lever H to pressing the valve, M, open it will lift the slot rod upwards
and open the inlet valve, E, at the same time as it also-opens is opening the
valve, M, and yet when the valve M is closed and the water inside the chamber, D,
is yielding to the pressure of air pumped into the apparatus which operation is
hereinafter described it forces the valve, E, open and in se doing it raises so presses
the slot rod, X, upwards without altering the position of the lever H, this--is
seenred-by-the-automatic-action-of-the-rod, X. which would, if the end that passes
through the slot were raised, open the valve M, when at this stage of an operation

page_text: it is of the utmost importance it should be kept closed so as not to allow of any
air escaping. Therefore the necessity for having this slot is apparent.
Passing running upwards from the top of the slotted red head of the rod, X, is
a spindle which passes through a bracket held in position by a suport support fixed
at side of chamber, I, with belt and crank and holes bored through to admit of 5
erank belt passing through with chain attached to crank and passing out of the
top of the apparatus this crank bolt is for fixing the valve, E, in an open or
elosed position when required for either purpose. and has holes bored through at
certain intervals one above the other, to admit of an iron peg passing through. To
this peg a cord or chain is attached which passes under a wheel fixed at the angle 1
made by the brackets where it is joined to its support, and thence up through the
top of the buoy. The reason for having this arrangement is, that if the valve E be
opened, and it should be found necessary to keep it so, when at the same time it is
desirable the valve M should be shut; the rod X could be fixed in a position to keep
it so by passing the peg through one of the holes in the spindle above & nearest the 1
bracket after having opened the valve E; and when it is required to be released to
allow of the valve shutting the cord or chain attached to the peg is pulled, and
draws the peg out of the hole it was in.
T, T, are iron couplings straps with a ring loop fixed at the bottom of the
apparatus for attaching a chains to when it is required to be fixed--to--a-wreek 2
or any attach the buoy to the object to be raised.
Fig. 9-is-a-mettal globe for the reception of air from the air pump when an
operation-of-raising a wreek take place and passing it through the whole-of-the-air
pipes attached from the air globe to the apparatus under water-to-expel or empty
the whole of the buoys at one and same time, by thus equalising the air-to-all the 2
apparatus-they-rise or come-up-altogether bringing the wreek-also.
Fig. 3.-To-commence-with-the-percolative-and-automatio-power-of-action-of-this
apparatus as having precedence in advance of any other known apparatus-or
Invention for deep-sea-ship-rising
First the air is pumped down through the pipe, C, from the surface of tug boat
into the mettal globe-Fig. 2 and passing through the pipes, B, into each of the
apparatus, D, when on sea bottom the air passing down the pipe, P, and through
the air box, R, lifting-the-air valve-ball-and-percolating in gloubles through the
water-contents-inside the apparatus where by its accumulated foree-in the crown-of
the apparatus-whereby the water is expeled-compleately from inside-the-apparatus,
the-air-then-remaining-in-full-occupation of apparatus it immediately comes up-to
the
surface-bringing-up-the-wreeked-vessel-with-all-attached-to-it.
These apparatus are sunk by the operation-of-pulling-the-chain, B, attached to
lever, H, which presses down the valve, My this allow the air-to-flow out-up, the
lever H passing through-slot-rod, X, the same being attached to the lever, Ky opens
the valve E, which allows the water to fill the chamber, D, the water-passing
through the pipes, K, into the chamber, C, filling that chamber by passing it
through-the-valve, E, thenee into the chamber-D, filling and sinking the apparatus
when it runs down-a-wire-cable-passed-through-ring of buoy and fixed to-tug boat
and wreek-to-pass-into-position.
Fig. 2 is a metal globe for the concentration of air when an operation is taking
place, and for the dispersal of the same through several pipes like the one shewn
on the left hand side of the globe, to the buoys attached to the sunken vessel in the
manner as shewn in fig. 3—The air is first pumped through the pipe, C, from the
pump at the surface into the globe; and passes through the pipes B into each of the
buoys D-One of the principal advantages in having this globe is, that you can
pump air into any number of the buoys that may be attached to the wreck, at one
and the same time, simply by turning on the equivalent number of cocks on the
globe, to the number of buoys you require air to be pumped into. And another
and most important advantage is, the cocks can be so regulated, that a greater or
lesser quantity of air can be pumped into one or more of the buoys than is being
pumped into one or more of the remaining number within the same period of

page_text: time, according to the greater or lesser lifting power that may be required at certain
parts of the ship to be raised, when the difficulties of suction have to be overcome→
When the buoys are lying on the surface ready to be operated with, the rope or
chain B, attached to the lever H, is pulled, and compresses the lever, and in doing
so pushes the valve M open, and also as a matter of course the end of the lever that
passes through the slot at the top of the rod X, is raised at the same time, and the
consequence of its doing so is that it lifts the rod X, and that being attached to the
lever K it opens the valve E. That proceeding having been gone through, there is
now an opening at the top of the buoy for the escape of air, and one at the bottom
for water to pass through into the buoy which now begins to fill with water passing
through the pipes K into the chamber C, and thence through the valve E into the
chamber D; and when sufficient has passed into it, it is in a sinking condition.
It is then lowered to the wreck or other object to be ruised and attached to it by
chains or by any other means that may be deemed necessary and in such a manner
as will best suit the surroundings of the object operated upon, & the controlling
circumstances attending the operation. That having been done and as many other
buoys attached to the vessel as may be considered sufficient for the undertaking,
there is then screwed to the top of the metal globe fig. 3 the main or feeding pipe,
is the one through which the air is conveyed to it from the pump at the surface,
and as many flexible pipes onto its cocks as there are buoys attached to the wreck;
it is then filled with water and lowered to a position over the wreck, and each pipe
is then attached the air tube, P, at the top of each individual buoy as shewn in
fig. 3; A representing the globe; B, the tube attached to the globe, and conveying
air from it to the buoys; C the main pipe; and D the buoys surrounding the
wreck. This having been accomplished, things are in readiness for raising the
vessel. Air is then pumped through the main pipe C into the globe, and from there
disperses through the pipes B, see fig. 3, to, and through the pipes P, see principal
fig., out through the air box, R, into the buoy and percolates thro' the water to the
crown of the buoy where it accumulates and causes a pressure on the water inside,
and when sufficient has been pumped into it for its pressure to be greater than the
weight of water, the latter begins to yield, and it, the water, in its turn pushes
the valve, E, open, und passes into the chamber, C, and out of the buoy through the
pipes, K, the pressure being kept up by continuing to pump air into the buoys,
until all the water has been ejected. As soon as this is done the pumping ceases,
when, as a matter of course the pressure of air inside the buoy ceases, and in con-
sequence the backward pressure of water pressing through the pipes K into the
chamber, C, in attempting to pass into the chamber D, presses against the valve E,
and closes it; and the greater the pressure of water the more tightly the valve is
pressed into its seat. When all the buoys have had the water ejected from them they
have regained their buoyancy and are pulling at the wreck; which of course rises
to the surface if the combined lifting power of the buoys is greater than that of the
ship to be ruised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the use and nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I hereby hcrewith
set forth my claim as follows
To the best of my knowledge and belief, I ani the first to utalise utilisc buoys
of an ovoid shape by percolative and automatic action for the purpose and in the
manner already explained, my-apparatus is made of iron or steel plates-of-oroid
shape-and-of-any-size or dementiones required.
-also-consider original the partition, W, as shewn in the Drawing or anjª
modification thereof together with the--chamber, C; also the pipes, K, and the
valve, Ey with the chamber, I; and all its mechanical contents whether inside-or
outside the position and applyeation of the red, X, which opens and shuts the
valve, E, also-the-pipe, 1', and the air box, R, with air valve ball and box ns fixed
to-chamber, WI also claim-the-plan-applycation-and-position of the valve, My the
spring-lever, bar H, also--suport bracket for slot red with its bolts cranks-and

page_text: wheel as fixed-to-chamber, I, Fig.-2-also-globe with its fixatures of air cocks and
air-pipes being parts of to-be-applied to apparatus at all times for ship-or-rising of
wreeks operations. and described, when such an apparatus is made of a material
other than that of a flexible nature, as it is in my opinion better suited for ship
raising than other shapes, for reasons which need not be here set forth.
I also consider original the arrangement of having a partition as W in the
position as shewn in the drawing, or any modification thereof, with the manner
in which it is utilised, together with the chamber C formed by it for the reception
of water either for injection or ejection through the pipes K, and valve E-Also
the arrangement of the three pipes K, discharging into a chamber like unto C for
the purpose of filling or emptying the buoys with, or of water. My claim for
novelty also applies to the chamber, I, at the top of the buoy with the arrangement
and construction of its mechanical contents whether these be inside the buoy as
shewn in the drawing, or outside; the same remarks to apply to the rod X, which
is the means of the valve E being controlled by the works inside the chamber I.
Another feature of novelty is the pipe P, with its air box already described,
at the bottom of the buoy, and through which the air pipe P discharges air into
the buoy; its position allowing the air so discharged to percolate to the top of the
buoy where it concentrates and forms its own pressure, thereby doing away with
the enormous strain which otherwise would be put on the pipe that feeds the buoy
from the air pump. I also wish to point out the feature of the valve M closing
upwards into its seat towards the outside of the apparatus, and also its construc-
tion, together with the means of keeping it closed, as being original; whether in
the position shewn in the drawing or any other, so far as an apparatus for ship
raising is concerned. The value attached to this valve closing upwards is this;
if it were to close downwards towards the inside of the buoy, the air inside the
buoy would push it open when the operation of ejecting the water is taking place,
and thus render the attempt to do so abortive, as the air instead of concentrating
inside the buoy would escape through the open valve as fast as it is being pumped
into the buoy; therefore the valve closing in the direction it does, forms one of the
chief features through which the particular influences are brought about, which
tend to make this valve so useful an agent in the successful working of the buoy.
Dated this doch 1901

page_text: I WILLIAM ATKINSON Marine Engineer No. 45 Biscay Road Hammersmith
London in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for PERCOLATING AUTOMATIC IMPROVEMENTS AND APPARATUS FOR RAISING
SUNKEN SHIPS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The principle Figure on the accompanying Drawing is an ovoid shaped apparatus
or buoy the letter, A, denoting an outline of the same-Inside and toward the
bottom of the buoy is placed a partition or false bottom, W, dividing it into two
chambers the one, C, and the upper one, D, both chambers being watertight and
having communation with one another through a valve, E, let into the centre of
the partition which is kept from oscilating by a spindle passing upwards from its
centre through a celender in bracket. To the valve is attached a lever, F, worked
by an iron rod, X, which passes upwards through a stuffing box, Z, fixed on the
partition, W, and thence to the top of the chamber, D, and through another
stuffing box, Z, into the compartment, J, let into the top of the apparatus where it
is controlled by the lever H, having attached to it at its extreme end a chain, B,
passing down to the bottom of the compartment, I, and thence under a. wheel
passing upwards to and out of the top of the apparatus at the point, T.
Attached to the lever, H, is a valve, M, opened by being pressed down through
the bottom of the compartment, I, into the chamber D, to allow of air escapeing,
at the same time filling the apparatus with water for sinking of at the same time.
This valve, M, opens downwards by invertion rendering its internal pressure
quite sufficient to withstand any amount of tonage of compressed air required to
force the water out of the apparatus at or in any depth it is required to be sent
down or sunk, a spindle passes down from valve, M, having a circular spring
through a mettal box N, the spring enclosed in this box is so arranged as to press
the valve upwards into its seat with sufficient force to raise the lever H, being
supported by two iron bars, S, S, fixed in valve seatings and cross bar and keeping
it both air and watertight this valve passing upwardes into its seat will be
reconised by observeing that when the air is piped into the apparatus for expeling
the water there will be a great pressure to the square inch and keeping the valvo
perfectly closed is of the greatest consequence as the air percolating up through the

page_text: water in gloubles will keep the valve closed by pressing it into its seat in poportion
to the pressure required to compel the water to go out through the valve, E, into
the outside water and leaveing the apparatus full of air.
Those partes of the Drawing marked, K, presents two pipes or cüphons for the
passing of water both into and out of the apparatus passing from the chamber, C,
through the partition, W, into the chamber, D, and up the inner sides of the
apparatus through the ciphons they having entire communication with the outside
water at the points marked by two arrows being a third distant from the bottom of
the apparatus their entrance being guarded with wire network to prevent them
being choked or blocked up by debres passing into them three or six of these
ciphons are used as no matter how the apparatus may be lying on the bed of the
sea there will alway be two or more ciphons upward for exit.
P, P, is a mettal tube through which air is pumped into the apparatus and
passes from the chamber, I, to the bottom of the apparatus where it passes through
the mettle air valve box, R, this air box is hollowed out downwards inside at right
angles for to allow of an air valve ball being worked inside the apparatus, the air
passing from the pipe, P, and through the boring in which the pipe, P, is fixed and
through which the air passes from the pipe into the box, R, and out through the
box by lifting the valve ball into the apparatus when the air with great force
percolating in large gloubles through the interiour water up to the inside crown of
apparatus where it is compressed by accumulation and the air pressure becomeing
greater inside the apparatus than the water pressure is outside the apparatus this
compels the water to pass out leaving the air in full occupation for raising the
apparatus, bringing up the wreck or whatever is attached to it-the small circle
between the oblique lines in air box, R, represents the valve ball and is there to
prevent any back pressure of water or escape of air through the pipe, P.
The top of the rod, X, controling the lever, F, inside the chamber, I, has a slot
perpendicularly cut through it to allow of the lever, H, passing through of a length
and in such a manner that when the chain, B, is pulled to allow the lever H to,
press the valve, M, open it will lift the slot rod upwards and open the inlet
valve, E, at the same time it also opens the valve, M,-when the valve M is closed
and the water inside the chamber, D, is yielding to the pressure of air pumped
into the apparatus it forces the valve, E, open in so doing it raises the slot rod, X,
upwards without altering the position of the lever H, this is secured by the
automatic action of the rod, X.
Passing upwards from the top of the slotted rod head of the rod, X, is a spindle
which passes through a bracket hold in position by a suport at side of chamber, I,
with bolt and crank and holes bored through to admit of crank bolt passing
through with chain attached to crank and passing out of the top of the apparatus
this crank bolt is for fixing the valve, E, in an open or closed position when
required for either purpose.
T, T, are iron couplings strap with a ring loop fixed at the bottom of the
apparatus for attaching chains to when it is required to be fixed to a wreck or any
object to be raised.
Fig. 2 is a mettal globe for the reception of air from the air pump when an
operation of raising a wreck take place and passing it through the whole of the air
pipes attached from the air globe to the apparatus under water to expel or empty
the whole of the buoys at one and same time, by thus equalising the air to all the
apparatus they rise or come up altogether bringing the wreck also.
Fig. 3. To commence with the percolative and automatic power of action of this
apparatus as having precedence in advance of any other known apparatus or
Invention for deep sea ship rising
First the air is pumped down through the pipe, C, from the surface of tug boat
into the mettal globe Fig. 2 and passing through the pipes, B, into each of the
apparatus, D, when on sea bottom the air passing down the pipe, P, and through
the air box, R, lifting the air valve ball and percolating in gloubles through the
water contents inside the apparatus where by its accumulated force in the crown of

page_text: the apparatus whereby the water is expeled compleately from inside the apparatus,
the air then remaining in full occupation of apparatus it immediately comes up to
the surface bringing up the wrecked vessel with all attached to it.
These apparatus are sunk by the operation of pulling the chain, B, attached to
lever, H, which presses down the valve, M, this allow the air to flow out up, the
lever H passing through slot rod, ✗, the same being attached to the lever, K, opens
the valve E, which allows the water to fill the chamber, D, the water passing
through the pipes, K, into the chamber, C, filling that chamber by passing it
through the valve, E, thence into the chamber D, filling and sinking the apparatus
when it runs down a wire cable passed through ring of buoy and fixed to tug boat
and wreck to pass into position.
Having now described the use and nature of my said Invention, I herby set
forth my claim as follows
To the best of my knowledge and belief, I am the first to utalise buoy's of an
ovoid shape by percolative and automatic action for the purpose and in the manner
already explained, my apparatus is made of iron or steel plates of ovoid shape and
of any size or dementiones required.
I also consider original the partition, W, as shewn in the Drawing or any
modification thereof together with the chamber, C, also the pipes, K, and the
valve, E, with the chamber, I, and all its mechanical contents whether inside or
outside the position and applycation of the rod, X, which opens and shuts the
valve, E, also the pipe, P, and the air box, R, with air valve ball and box as fixed
to chamber, W, I also claim the plan applycation and position of the valve, M, the
spring lever, bar H, also suport bracket for slot rod with its bolts cranks and
wheel as fixed to chamber, I, Fig. 2 also globe with its fixatures of air cocks and
air pipes being parts of to be applied to apparatus at all times for ship or rising of
wrecks operations.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1884.