Improvements in Trawlers.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trawlers.
I, JOHN KAY, of 96 London Road, Glasgow, N.B. Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in trawlers and has for its object to
steady the vessel during the trawling operation, to provide more efficient means for
lowering the trawling beam and also to strengthen and increase the buoyancy of
the vessel.
In carrying out my invention I provide the bottom of the ship with, say, two sets
of tubes fitted together after the manner of a telescope so that they are capable
of being closed up within each other. These tubes are preferably passed down
through a turret on the ship on the principal of a centre board and are open at the
bottom to allow the water to flow in and out. The tubes are lowered into the
water to such a depth as almost to prevent either rolling or jumping of the vessel
and are operated by means of chains and a crab winch situated within the turret
of the ship.
The turret before referred to is preferably placed amidships and is provided at
the top with a platform for the trawling operations, the said platform being
Furnished with a shoot slanting towards the stern, and passing to the bottom of the
vessel, for the trawling beam to be lowered through and also with shoots leading
down to the hold, furnished with a hopper so that the men can toss the fish down
the shoot into the hold after they are cleaned.
In order to give the ship strength and buoyancy to make amends for the shoot
for lowering the beam which extends right through, I mount two hollow curved
tubular girders one on each side on which the vessel would to a great degree sail,
as a sledge runs on runners, giving it together with its great beam great stability
as well as buoyancy.
The ship can be steered as is usual from a bridge,mounted upon the platform of
the turret but in case of the rudder being carried away or any accident occuring to
the steering gear I employ a jet of steam to spout on either side of the stern to turn
or steer th ship.
If desired the shoot for lowering the trawling beam may be placed at the side
instead of at the stern.
In order to guard against the possibility of water rising in the tube or shoot by
the rising and falling of the vessel I may provide it, both at the top and bottom
with a revolving shutter so that, in small vessels or boats especially the aperture
might be closed at will during the raising and lowering of the trawling beam, a
space being left open at each end of the shutter for the ropes to pass through for
raising the beam until the lower shutter could be closed.
The sides of the turret are preferably curved like a breakwater, 'to throw off the
water and also the bulwark on the top of the turret.
If desired a space may be made between the platform and the top of the turret
through which any spray or water could pass.

page_text: or boats especially, one aperture may be closed at a time during the raising and
lowering of the trawling beam or otter trawl, or fish lowering to the deck or hold
A space is left open at the ends of the shutters for the ropes to pass through when
lowering the net.
A convenient form of shutter may be formed in two halves K composed of a
number of slats or strips k of metal or other material rivetted to a sheet of india-
rubber or other pliable material, the end of which strips may slide in grooves so
arranged that when closed the two halves. of the shutter meet together presenting a
wedge shape to the water, this form offering a greater resistance to the impact of
the water. The arrangement is such, that when the shutter is operated, by
chains k¹, or other suitable means passing over pulleys & the two portions can be
either lowered to close the aperture or raised to open the same when they assume a
position parallel with and close to the sides of the shute or within the casing
The ends of each pair of chains for raising and lowering the shutter are prefer-
ably connected together by a ring L, so that the chains at both ends of the shutter
can bo brought together and hooked in the usual way to a derrick and be thus
raised; or they can be brought apart to allow the crew to raise the shutter by
hand alone. At the bottom of each of the halves of the shutter is secured a bar of
greater thickness than the slats so that when brought together they give increased
strength to the shutter, the said bars being formed at each 'end with a semicircular
portion such that when the two bars come in contact by the closing of the shutter
a circular opening or aperture is provided through which the ropes for raising and
lowering the net are free to pass.
A platform L may surround the upper portion of the shute from which the net
may be loweral during stormy or rough weather; the front portion of the rail-
ing being hinged or made removable to enable a temporary shute to be employed
for assisting the raising of the not to the platform.
In calm weather the net may be lowered through the door M which is preferably
made in two or more sections secured in position by providing the lower ends
thereof with toes or projections which enter corresponding recesses or sockets in
the floor, the upper edge of the sections being fastened by bolts which engage with
the slote m and are operated by horn or butterfly nuts.
This door may be provided with one or more windows or port holes N to enable
the raising and lowering of the net to be easily observed and also with apertures n
to enable the net to be guided by pronged poles during its lowering.
The apertures are also provided with weather tight doors to prevent ingress
of water when not in use.
Removable ladders P of any convenient form which can be hooked or otherwise
secured to the platform L' may be employed to enable the crew to ascend and
descend therefrom.
The said shutter may be similarly applied to the shutes D and D if desired.
The engine room, forecastle, cabin, etc. are reached by ladders or stairs leading
from the top of the turret, so that there would therefore be no occasion to descend
to the deck during storms.
An anchor can be lowered from the bow, by leading the chain up the turret to a
windlass.
In place of a single tube, as shewn, I may employ one constructed after the
manner of a telescope, one section sliding within the other, and I may employ one
or more of either of these forms of tubes placed in the longitudinal centre line
of the ship or steamer, or on either side of that line and fore or aft, through any
part of the ship, to suit any sort of vessel or steamer whether propelled by paddle
single or twin screws or by sails or any other mode of propulsion.
In order to increase the buoyancy of the vessel I may if desired form the upper
portion of the tube A as an air compartment or furnish it with one or more air
cases fitted and fixed into it, in which case a tube or opening would extend through
same to allow the air to escape from the lower partion of the tube upon the rising
of the water.

page_text: These air cases are also designed to cause the tube to float in its case when
lowered, to neutralize its weight and especially to lessen the shock when hurriedly
lowered.
Cork cuttings or other buoyant material may be used as a substitute for the
metal air cases, enclosed in canvas or other convenient material and confined
in place by metal bars or other suitable means.
As a modification the case or sheath may be situated below the vessel and be of
such a length as virtually to become a hollow keel, with air pipes leading up
through the deck or turret to enable the water to flow up or down the tube as the
vessel pitches. This form of case may or may not be furnished with one or more
tubes to slide within it telescope fashion, and open at the bottom as before.
In this example no closed air space occupies the top of the tube, and the outer
tube is closed towards the hold of the vessel and the air tubes before referred ta
may be used to pass the chains or rods through for raising and lowering the tube.
This elongated tube may be made with a sharp bow as shewn or it may be made
oper so as the water may freely enter, or flow out at the ends.
It may be substituted for bilge keels or a centre keel either with or without an
inner tube.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In trawlers and other vessels, the employment of one or more tubes situated
fore and aft upon the longitudinal centre line of the ship or on either side of that
line, the said tubes being raised and lowered from within the ship, substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
2. Providin trawling vessels with a turret having one or more platforms
situated therein from which the trawling operations can be performed, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3. In trawling vessels, ..e combination with the turret, of a shute for lower-
ing the trawling beam or otter trawl arranged to pass through or over the stern
or other part of the vessel, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in
the accompanying drawings.
4. In trawling vessels, the application of shutes leading from the turret to the
lower platforms, deck or hold so arranged that the fish either loose or packed in
boxes or other receptacles can be equally distributed upon the deck, or the hold of
the vessel, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
5. The general arrangement construction and combination of parts constituting
my improved trawler also in part applicable to other vessels, such as lighters
which may be mrovided with the telescope tube and with an air space or spaces, a
case or cases in the top of the tube, to float the tube, and lessen the shock of its
impact with the water, substantially as herein before described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
6. In trawling or other vessels the employment of a jet of water on either side of
vessels to turn or steer them to be used in combination with and simultaneously
with the ordinary rudder in the manner as hereinbefore described and shewn in
part in the accompanying drawings.
100x
JOHNSONS,
115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.