IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, VESSELS. MASTS, SPARS, SMOKE FUNNELS, BOILERS, CYLINDERS, BEAMS, AND OTHER LIKE STRUCTURES OR ARTICLES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Clare, junior, of Liverpool, in the County
Palatine of Lancaster, Produce Broker, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, VESSELS.
MASTS, SPARS, SMOKE FUNNELS, BOILERS, CYLINDERS, BEAMS, AND
OTHER LIKE STRUCTURES OR ARTICLES."
Sealed the 6th January 1854, and dated the 5th September 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clare at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th September 1853.
I, JOHN CLARE, j', of Liverpool, in the County Palatine of Lancaster.
Produce Broker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, VESSELS, MASTS,
SPARS, SMOKE FUNNELS, BOILERS, CYLINDERS, BEAMS, AND OTHER LIKE
STRUCTURES OR ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
My said Invention relates, firstly, to a novel mode of attaching iron
plates in erecting structures requiring a skeleton or framework, such
as ships, houses, and the like,; and, secondly, to another mode of

page_text: attaching iron plates to each other without any framework, particu-
larly suitable for such structures or articles as boilers, cylinders, smoke
funnels, masts, spars, beams, and the like.
And for the better understanding of my said Invention I will now
proceed to describe the details thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same letters of reference
indicate like parts throughout.
Fig. 1, is an inside view of the arrangement of my improved mode of
building iron structures. A, shows a flanged iron plate, about eight
feet long. B, B, are two plain flat bar iron ribs; C, the seam
formed by the sides of two plates rivetted together.
Fig. 2, is an inside view of a modification of the foregoing. A, a
plain iron plate, about eight feet long; B, B, ribs of T-angle iron;
B', B', longitudinal framing of T-angle iron, their distance being regu-
lated by the width of the plates A.
Fig. 3, is an edge view of Fig. 2. A, A, A, are plain iron plates;
B, B, T-angle iron ribs; B', longitudinal T-angle iron framing, show-
ing at a, a, a, a, the mode of bolting the plates to the angle iron.
Fig. 4, is an edge view of flanged plates A, A, A, with their flanges
abutting against each other, and held together and strengthened at
B, B, by having box angle iron inverted over the flanges, and rivetted
thereto at a, a.
Fig. 5, is an edge view of a vertical section of flanged plates A, A, A,
rivetted at their sides to the box angle iron longitudinal framing B, B,
by the rivets a, a, and the ends of the plates A, abutting one against
the other may be rivetted together or secured by vertical ribs.
These several plans have reference more directly to iron ship build-
ing, but may be modified for other structures. In the construction of
iron vessels I recommend that the iron framework should consist
mainly of longitudinal frames of flat bar iron crossed by vertical frames
or ribs about eight feet asunder, and the width between one longitu-
dinal frame and another to be regulated by the breadth of the iron
plates, as shown in Fig. 1. When greater strength is required I
recommend the plans shown in Figures 2, & 5. It will be observed
that by the arrangements of Figures 1, 4, and 5, I am enabled to
employ ribs and frames conjointly, or either separately, or to dispense

page_text: with both, to suit the character of structure required; and by the same
arrangements I entirely avoid the usual method of rivetting on the
outside.
Fig, 6, is a cross section of an arrangement for securing iron plates
A, A, in manufacturing cylinders and other articles, the flanges a, a,
abutting against each other on the inside, and rivetted or bolted
together.
Fig. 7, is a cross section of another arrangement for the same pur-
poses as Fig. 6, the iron plates A, A, A, A, being plain, with their
edges inserted in grooved iron bars b, b, b, b, and may be strengthened
by iron hoops.
The plan, Fig. 6, is serviceable for boilers, smoke funnels, cylinders,
beams, masts, spars, and similar structures or articles, and produces
a smooth external appearance, with great strength of structure, and
therefore particularly applicable for the proposed purposes, especially
for iron masts and spars, in which external rivets would be exceedingly
objectionable. Instead of this method, I sometimes adopt the plan
described in Fig. 7; or the iron plates may be grooved on one or more
edges, or suitable slips of metal attached thereto, thus forming a groove,
by which or like methods I can produce close compact cylindrical or
other formed vessels, and which may be held together by being hooped.
For vessels requiring to be taken to pieces for easy package and trans-
port these two last plans afford great facilities, as the one may be set
up with nuts and screws, and the latter principally with hoops.
Having thus described several methods of carrying out my said
improvements I would here observe that I do not restrict myself to any
particular form, dimensions, or use to which structures or articles may
be applied when made on the principle of my Invention; and I do
declare that what I claim as my improvements are, namely,―
First, the peculiar modes of fastening iron plates in the construction
of houses, vessels, and other like structures; and,
Second, the methods of attaching iron plates in the manufacture of
smoke funnels, beams, masts, spars, and similar structures or articles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Clare in the Great Seal Patent Office
: on the 4th March 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN CLARE, junior, of Liverpool, in the County Palatine of Lancaster,
Produce Broker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Clare, junior, Her special licence
that I, the said John Clare, junior, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Clare, junior, 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 IRON HOUSES, VESSELS, MASTS, SPARS, SMOKE
FUNNELS, BOILERS, CYLINDERS, BEAMS, AND OTHER LIKE STRUCTURES OR
ARTICLES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Clare, junior, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Clare, junior, 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 following statement:
My said Invention relates, firstly, to a novel mode of attaching iron
plates in erecting structures requiring a skeleton or framework, such as
houses, vessels, and the like; and, secondly, to another mode of
attaching iron plates to each other without any framework, particularly

page_text: suitable for such structures or articles as boilers, cylinders, tanks,
masts, spars, bowsprits, beams, smoke funnels, and the like.
And for the better understanding of my said Invention I will now
proceed to describe the details thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same letters of reference
indicate like parts throughout.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheet N° 1, Figures 1, and 2, are plans of vertical framing set up
according to my Invention; and Figure 3, is a plan of longitudinal
T-iron framing for vessels, each having the iron plates attached. A, the
plates; B, the vertical, and C, the longitudinal framing; and D, the
rivets. Figure 4, is a plan showing A', the section of midships, and B',
section of bow frame, both with plates.
"
Sheet N° 2, Figure 5, is an outside view of longitudinal plates for
iron vessels, the joints of which may be "broken or alternate, if
required. Figure 6, is an inside view of the same. A, the plates, and
B, flat bar iron framing.
Sheet N° 3, Figure 7, is a plan showing section of midships and
frame; also my method of sheathing flanged iron plates with wood for
coppering, which may, when required, be internally lined with cork or
timber. Figure 8, is a longitudinal plan of the same. A, the plates;
B, the framing; and E, the wood sheathing.
Sheet N° 4, Figure 9, is a sectional elevation of water-tight bulk-
heads for iron vessels; they may be crossed with T-iron to strengthen
them between the joints or abutments of plates. Figure 10, a trans-
verse section of the same; C, the framing of grooved T-irou.
Sheet No 5, Figure 11, is a plan of deck planking; A", showing the
luff of bow, with stauncheons B", covering boards C¹, and beams
D. Figure 12, is an exterior view of a ship's mast, having a rolled
iron frame B, cased with wood E, and having iron hoops F, at each
joint. Figure 13, is a plan of the iron frame (Figure 12,) and shows
the method of fastening the joint G; and Figure 14, is a cross section
of Figure 12.

page_text: Sheet N° 6, Figure 15, is a plan of the deck planking (Figure 11,)
with the round of stern and quarter.
Sheet N° 7, Figure 16, is a plan of wood planking E, over iron body
of vessel C, being the framing, and A, ribbed iron plates. Figure 17, a
transverse section of the same.
Sheet N° 8, Figure 18, is another plan, and Fignre 19, a section of
another arrangement of Figure 16.
A, the
Sheet No 9, Figure 20, is a plan of wood sheathing E, over double
flanged ribbed iron plates; Figure 21, a section of the same.
iron plates; H, the ribs; and H', the double flanges.
Sheet N° 10, Figure 22, is a plan of vertical grooved iron framing and
plates for vessels. A, the plates, and B, the framing. Figure 28, a
section of the same. Figure 24, a plan of fluted and ribbed iron plates;
and H, the ribs. Figure 25, a section thereof; A, the fluted side.
Sheet No 11, Figure 26, is a plan, and Figure 27, a section of iron
plates with vertical grooved framing B. Figure 28, is another plan
with grooved framing B, of T-iron; and Figure 29, a section thereof.
Sheet No 12, Figure 30, is a plan, and Figure 31, a section of iron
plates with vertical grooved iron framing B, showing at D, the method
of riveting internally through the flanges and framing, and externally
through the plates. Figure 32, is a plan, and Figure 33, a section of
ribbed plates fastened through the flanges only; H, being the ribs.
Sheet No 13, Figures 34, and $6, are plans of varied arrangements
of longitudinal iron plates and framing. Figures 35, and 37, are sec-
tions of the same.
Sheet No 14, Figure 38, is another plan, and Figure 89, a section of
the same, with grooved framing and plates.
Sheet No 15, Figure 40, is a plan of longitudinal rebated iron plates;
and Figure 41, a section of the same; I, being the rebates.
Sheet No 16, Figure 42, is the same plan as Figure 40, but showing
the plates narrowed, tapering to one end for forming the sweep at bow
or stern, or the like; Figure 48, a section.
Sheet No 17, Figure 44, is a plan of deck
method of fastening the planks to the beams.
planking, showing the
A", the deck planking;

page_text: D', the beams; and J, the bolts. Figure 45, is a thwartship section;
and Figure 46, a fore and aft section of the same.
Sheet No 18, Figures 47, 48, and 49, are different plans of iron
keels and keelsons for vessels, filled with timber or not, as required.
A, the iron work; B, the timbers; and D, the rivets.
Sheet No 19, Figure 50, is a vertical section of T-iron masts, with
flush butts and angle iron pieces to secure the butts of plates. Figure 51,
a longitudinal section of the same; A, the plates; and B, the angle
iron pieces. Figure 52, a vertical section of iron masts with flanged
plates capable of being lowered into and raised from its corresponding
part between decks by hydraulic power. Figure 53, is a section of the
same above deck. Figure 54, a section of mast-head at cross-trees.
Figure 55, the corresponding part of Figure 52, below deck, into which
the upper part descends. Figure 56, the section below deck; and
Figure 57, a longitudinal section of metallic yard cased with wood, as
shown in section at Figure 58, and with studding sail booms made to
ship inside. A, the yard; B, the boom; and E, the wood casing.
Sheet N° 20, Figure 59, is an elevation of iron mast. Figure 60, a
section of the mast-head. Figure 61, a vertical section of Figure 59, with
flanged plates and angle iron stays rivetted to the sides of plates; and
Figure 62, a longitudinal section of the same at main deck. A, the
flanged plates; B, the angle iron stays; and D, the rivets. Figure 68, is
a vertical section of mast with T-iron rings, the plates butting at centre
rib of T-iron. Figure 64, a longitudinal section of the same; A, the
plates; and B, the T-iron rings. Figure 65, is a vertical section of iron
mast with flanged plates and flush butts, with angle iron strengthening
the plates at each butt; and Figure 66, a longitudinal section of the same.
Sheet No 21, Figure 67, is a vertical section of metallic mast cased
with wood, the flanges projecting outwards to receive the wood, the
flanges being secured with rivets or nuts and screws, and iron hoops
binding all together. Figure 68, a longitudinal section of the same; A,
the plates; E, the wood; and F, the hoops.
Sheet N° 22, Figure 69, is a plan of flanged iron plates for ceilings or
other like purposes with ribs, and packed with timber, as shown in the
section, Figure 70. A, the plates; H, the ribs; and E, the timber.

page_text: Figure 71, is a double flanged iron plate. Figure 72, a section of the
same. Figure 73, a flanged iron plate with diagonal angle iron bars B.
Figure 74, a section of the same; B, the angle iron bars. Figure 75, a
flanged iron plate with diagonal T-iron bars. Figure 76, a section of
the same; B, the T-iron bars. All these arrangements may be packed
with timber, as at E, if required.
Sheet N° 23, Figure 77, is a front elevation of ship's water tank, con-
structed of flanged iron plates rivetted through the flanges.
Sheet N° 24, Figure 78, is a section of Figure 77, showing the method
of staying and rivetting; A, the plates; D", the stays; and D, the
rivets.
...Sheet Nº 25, Figure 79, is an elevation of a smoke funnel, formed of
flanged iron plates rivetted through the flanges, which project in-
ternally, with iron hoops externally to cover the joints. Figure 80, a
vertical section; and Figure 81, a- longitudinal section of the same;
A, the plates; and F'', the hoops.
Sheet N° 26, Figure 82, is a longitudinal section of a cylindrical boiler
with diagonal stays D", double T-iron cross-bar B, and flanged iron
plate A, rivetted through the flanges. Figure 83, a vertical section of
the same. Figure 84, a longitudinal section of boiler with butt joints,
and external T-iron ribs B, rivetted over them; and Figure 85, is
an end elevation of the same.
Sheet No 27, Figure 86, is a longitudinal section of boiler, made of
flanged iron plates A, rivetted through the flanges, which may also be
hooped as at F", or stayed externally for the purpose of giving
additional strength. Figure 87, au end elevation of the same. Figure 88,
is a longitudinal section of boiler, the plates having butt-joints with
T-iron ribs inside rivetted over the joints; and Figure 89. an end
elevation of the same; B, the T-iron; and D, the rivets.
Sheet N° 28, Figure 90, is an clevation of a metallic cylinder cased
with flanged iron plates rivetted through the flanges, between which
timber is packed and hooped with iron, as shown in Figure 91.
Figure 91, is a longitudinal section, and Figure 92, a vertical section
of the same; A, the iron plates; D, the rivets; E, the timber; F, the
hoops; and K, the metallic cylinder.

page_text: Sheet N° 29, Figures 98, 94, 95, 96, and 97, are plans with their
sections N. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; of different descriptions of rolled rebated
bar and angular iron applicable in the construction of iron houses,
and for other like purposes.
.
"
Sheet N° 30, Figures 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, and 103, are plans
with their sections No.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, of various forms of rolled
bar angular and circular iron for uses similar to the forms in Sheet
No 29. Of these only No 1, 2, 3, and 6, are rebated. **-
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, I would
here observe that I sometimes use iron plates with the flanges turned
inwards, or angle or T-iron, and rivet through them, thus producing
a smooth external surface; or employ iron plates alternately grooved
and tongued at the edge, thereby enabling me to produce two smooth
surfaces; and articles thus made may be held together by hoops or
bands for strength, which method is particularly adapted for the
purposes of forming smoke funnels, masts, and other like structures or
articles, and renders them exceedingly convenient for the purpose of
transport. And when the articles or structures require casing with
wood I turn the flanges outwards to receive the wood, and sometimes
they may be coated with iron, the wood then being internal.
I desire it to be distinctly understood, that I do not confine myself to
the exact form, or any particular dimensions, nor to the precise uses
to which my improved plate and bar iron may be applied, my Invention
being applicable to various other manufactures than those described,
as gasometers, pontoons, buoys, cranes, caissons, and numerous articles
or structures. I am aware that wood sheathing, and also ribbed plate
iron, have already been employed; I therefore restrict my claim in these
to my own particular arrangements thereof.
And I declare that what I claim as my improvements are, namely,-
First, the peculiar modes of fastening iron plates to each other and
to the various kinds of framework or skeleton in the construction of
iron houses, vessels, or any other structure or article requiring such
framework; and,
Second, the various methods of fastening iron plates to each other

page_text: where a framework is not required, such as for boilers, tanks, masts,
spars, beams, smoke funnels, and other like structures or articles.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Clare, junior, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of
our Lord 1854.
JOHN CLARE, JUN. (L.S.)