IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING AND KEEPING CLEAN THE BOTTOMS OF IRON SHIPS, AND ALSO IRON SUBMERGED AND IRON STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OR WATER
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry John Turnbull, of Sunderland, in the
County of Durham, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRESERVING AND KEEPING CLEAN THE BOTTOMS OF IRON SHIPS, AND ALSO
IRON SUBMERGED AND IRON STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE OR WATER."
Sealed the 12th March 1869, and dated the 14th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry John Turnbull
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 14th September 1868.
I, HENRY JOHN TURNBULL, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING AND KEEPING CLEAN THE BOTTOMS OF IRON SHIPS, AND
ALSO IRON SUBMERGED AND IRON STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF THE
ATMOSPHERE OR WATER," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in applying to iron vessels or any ironwork
submerged or exposed to the action of the atmosphere or water a coating
or coatings of a composition or preparation consisting of gutta percha

page_text: and resin dissolved in manner herein-after described, to prevent the
oxidation of the iron, and over these a coating or coatings of a pre-
paration consisting of phosphorus and shellac, dissolved and applied as
herein-after described, to prevent the adhesion of barnacles and marine
vegetation.
The iron is to be first made clean, after which it is to be coated over
with one, two, or more coatings of the soft compound made by dissolving
gutta percha and resin, and a proportion of pine varnish by the action
of heat until the ingredients are thoroughly amalgamated, the proportion
being about 1,000 of the first to from 500 to 900 of the second, and
500 of the pine varnish, according to the quality of the gutta percha.
The composition can be reduced to the consistence of paint by increasing
the quantity of pine varnish or adding bisulphuret of carbon thereto.
It may be applied by heating, which can be done by placing near the
surface grates in which are fired coke, or red hot plates, or by super-
heated steam being directed thereon by a suitable appliance. When
this coating has become sufficiently dry the entire surface must be gone
over with smooth flat irons or heated rollers in order to render it
non-porous.
The anti-fouling coating compound is obtained by dissolving phos-
phorous with bisulphuret of carbon in the proportion of one-half drachm
of the former to two ounces of the latter; next dissolve 2,000 parts of
shellac with 125 parts of benzoin in bisulphuret of carbon, or other
solvent, until it becomes of the consistence of paint; to which add the
solution of phosphorus, and thoroughly shake or mix the whole
together, when it will be ready for use, and may be laid on with
a brush.
These compositions may be advantageously used for coating the
bottoms of wooden as well as iron vessels.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry John Turnbull in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
JOHN TURNBULL, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham, Chemist,
send greeting.
g

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Henry John Turnbull, Her special
licence that I, the said Henry John Turnbull, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry John
Turnbull, 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 Inven--
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING AND KEEPING CLEAN THE BOTTOMS OF:
IRON SHIPS, AND ALSO IRON SUBMERGED AND IRON STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO THE.
ACTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OR WATER," upon the condition (amongst others)+
that I, the said Henry John Turnbull, my executors or administrators, by-
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, 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 Henry John Turnbull, 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:-
This Invention consists in applying to iron vessels or any ironwork
submerged or exposed to the action of water or the atmosphere one or
more coatings respectively of the compositions. herein-after described...
First, for preventing the oxidation of the metal; and, secondly, as regards:
the bottoms of ships for preventing the adhesion of barnacles and marine
vegetation thereto.
For preventing the oxidation of the iron I cover the same with &
composition consisting of gutta percha and resin dissolved in combination
with pine varnish, the surface of the metal being first cleaned and prepared,.
and the composition mixed and applied in the following manner:
The surface of the iron is first to he made as clean as possible by
applying thereto muriatic or other acid brought to a. proper consistency

page_text: by adding thereto sufficient quantities of ivory black and pine varnish.
This mixture may then be applied with a brush, and after it has been
left upon the iron for a few hours it must be scraped or washed off with
water, in which a portion of soda should be dissolved in order to
neutralize any of the acid which may be left adhering to the iron and
rubbed dry. When the surface of the metal has been thus prepared
and become thoroughly dry the anti-oxidizing composition herein
described is to be applied thereto. This composition is made by dis-
solving gutta percha, resin, and pine varnish by the action of heat; the
heating and mixing processes being continued until the whole of the
said ingredients are thoroughly amalgamated; this being one of the
principal conditions necessary for insuring perfect insulation of the metal
by the application of the ingredients specified thereto. The proportions
of the said ingredients should be for every pound (avoirdupois weight)
of gutta percha from cight to eighteen ounces of resin (according to
their respective qualities) and one to two ounces of pine varnish.
The composition is to be reduced to a proper consistency by adding
highly rectified mineral spirit, or bisulphuret of carbon, and applied to
the surface of the metal while hot, or the metal itself may be heated
by placing near thereto red hot plates, or grates containing red hot or
burning coke, or superheated steam. When this coating has become
dry the entire surface must be rubbed over carefully with mineral
naphtha, benzoline, or any other highly rectified mineral spirit, or with
smooth flat irons heated, in order to equalize the thickness of the said
coating, render it non-porous, and cause it to form a perfect insulation.
One or more of these coatings are to be applied as circumstances may
require. The antifouling
The antifouling composition is then to be added when
necessary.
The antifouling composition for preventing the adhesion of barnacles

page_text: then mix it with the shellac solution; stir or shake the whole well
together, and the composition is ready for use. These compositions to
be applied with a brush.
In the case of ships going long voyages three of the antifouling
coatings should be applied.
For preserving water tanks, iron plates, carriage springs, or other
ironwork or structures exposed to the action of the atmosphere, water,
wet or damp vapour, the anti-corrosive composition only need be
applied; the same process as that herein described being adopted for
rendering the coating or coatings non-porous, uniform, and perfect.
The anti-corrosive and anti-fouling compositions may be applied for
preserving and keeping clean the bottoms of wooden as well as iron ships
and vessels.
Having thus fully explained the nature of my said Invention, and
described the means whereby the same may be carried into effect in
practice, I hereby further declare that what I desire to secure by the
before-mentioned in part recited Letters Patent, and claim as improve-
ments are,
First. The anti-corrosive composition made and applied as herein
described, or in any manner analogous thereto, for preserving iron
surfaces from oxidation.
And, secondly. The anti-fouling composition made and applied to the
bottoms of iron and other ships and vessels as in the manner and for
the object herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry John Turnbull, have herc-
unto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
HENRY JOHN TURNBULL. (L.S.)