Improvements in the Construction of Ships and Boats whereby the same are Rendered Available for Use by Land and Sea.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships and Boats whereby the
same are Rendered Available for Use by Land and Sea.
I, PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, of Painstown, Dunleer, in the County Louth,
Ireland, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in, and in relation to ships whereby the
same are rendered workable on land as well as on sea.
In carrying out my invention, I propose to construct the body or shell of the
ship or boat in the ordinary way, and to dispense with the ordinary propeller
screw and paddle wheels.
Along the keel I propose to construct a longitudinal channel or tunnel semi-
circular in section, and of suitable dimensions. This channel or tunnel is
formed of iron framework, and its curved sides should be sheeted.
In this channel or tunnel are hung on transverse shafts, suitable propelling
wheels, which are constructed with floats or wings for use in water; and are
surrounded with iron rings or bands for the purpose of moving on suitable rails,
when it is desired to move the ship over land.
These wheels may be operated from the interior of the vessel, just as the present
propelling screw, or paddle wheels are actuated, or they may he operated by any
suitable means of establishing a communication between the motive engines, and
my improved propelling wheels.
Dated the 23rd day of February 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships and Boats whereby the
same are Rendered Available for Use by Land and Sea.
I, PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, of Painstown, Dunleer, in the County Louth,
Ireland, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 has reference to improvements in and in relation to ships,
whereby the same are rendered workable on land as well as on sea.
In carrying out my invention I propose to construct the body or shell of the ship
or boat in the ordinary way, and to dispense with the ordinary propeller screw,
and paddle wheels.
Along the keel I propose to construct a longitudinal channel or tunnel semi-
circular or rectangular in section, and of suitable dimensions.
In this channel or tunnel are hung on transverse shafts, propelling wheels of
suitable construction which are provided with floats or wings for use in water and

page_text: are surrounded with iron rings or flanges for the purpose of moving on suitable
rails when it is desired to move over land.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practice, I will describe the accompanying drawings
--
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the hull of a ship or vessel constructed according
to my invention; and Fig. 2, is a trausverse vertical section of portion of same.
For sake of simplicity of description the channel or tunnel is shewn square or
rectangular in section, but it is obvious it cau be formed in a semi-circular, or
other suitable section if found more convenient. a, a, are the longitudinal sides,
and b, the dome or roof constituting the channel or tunnel. The sides and roof
run the entire length of the hull, and are secured to the rib framing forming
the stem and stern of the vessel.
There is thus a considerable longitudinal space between the sides of the tunnel
and the shell of the vessel.
c, are the wheels which are mounted on transverse shafts d, turning in stuffing
box bearings e, and provided on their extremities with cranks f, to which are
coupled the piston rods or connecting links g, whereby the motive power is
applied to drive the vessel. The wheels are composed of metal framework or a
solid disc c, provided with a flange i, and on their inner face with a number of floats
or wings k, arranged to radiate from the centre towards the circumference.
The peripheries of the wheels, as will be observed, project beyond the lower
edge of the channel or tunnel, and are flanged for the purpose of engaging with
suitable rails when the vessel is being moved on land.
It will be obvious that any number of wheels may be used as occasion may
require.
The driving shafts may be operated from the interior of the vessel just as the
propelling screw or paddle wheels of ordinary vessels are actuated, or they may be
operated by any suitable means of establishing a communication between the
motive engines, and the propelling wheels.
As thus described the action of my improved combined sea and land ship will
be readily understood.
At sea the vessel is propelled by means of the rotating floats or wings k, carried
on the framework or disc c, while on land the same rotating framework by means
of the flanges i serves to enable the vessel to ride freely over the ordinary rail
roads, or over rails specially laid for the purpose.
It is obvious the rudder may be carried by hanging same to the stern in the
usual manner.
Amongst the advantages of iny invention may be mentioned the following :-
1st. Owing to the peculiar construction involved, a ship or boat arranged
according to my invention is not so liable to roll or pitch at sea as ordinary
vessels.
2nd. Owing to its steadiness in motion sea-sickness is reduced to a minimum.
3rd. The principle involved enables a ship or boat to he so constructed as to
attain considerable speed.
4th. The resistance offered to the water is considerably reduced owing to the
open space caused by the tunnel or channel.
5th. The propeller wheels being distributed along the length and at the base
of the vessel, there is an absence of the trembling motion as caused by the present
propeller shaft or paddle wheel shaft.
6th. The weight of the propeller wheels being distributed at the base of the
vessel, the liability to turn over in rough sea is ininimised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that what I claim is: :-
The construction of ships or boats provided with a channel or tunnel (instead of

page_text: the ordinary keel) in which are mounted combined wheels and floats whereby the
vessel may be used on sea and land substantially in the manner herein described
and set forth.
Dated the 22nd day of November 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.