Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1900-Accepted, 7th July, 1900
The main object or my said invention is to provide an apparatus by means of
which the immersed part of a ship or boat can be thoroughly cleaned while the
vessel is afloat.
With this object in view I provide an apparatus of the kind hereinafter
described.
In making an apparatus according to my invention I provide an air tight box
or case, preferably of cylindrical form, to this I suitably attach, on the sides of
same, a stiff brush or a series of brushes, on the top part of the box I provide
a collar into which I screw a flexible rod, and suitably attach to the said rod any
desired number of flexible rods, attached to each other lengthways, by screwing
or other suitable means; in use the number of rods attached to each other will
be in accordance with the depth to which I desire to work the apparatus, that is,
in accordance with the depth of the immersed part of the vessel.
I may if preferred charge the air tight box with any approved gas to add to
its buovancy.
The brush may be secured to the box or case, in one part, or in sections, so
as to be readily attached and detached at will.
The action of the whole is as follows:-When in use the apparatus with the
desired number of attached rods, is immersed in the water being held as close to
the sides and bottom of the vessel as possible, the buoyancy of the air tight case
has the natural tendency to force same upwards and against the bottom of the
vessel the operator pushing same down, and the consequent up and down move-
ment causes the brush to clean the bottom of the vessel from all weeds and the
like attachments.
To remove harder substances I may first detach the brush and attach in its place
to the air tight case a steel scraper preferably of spiral form. that is the said
scraper will be fitted upon the case lengthways of same in spiral form, afterwards
if desired the scraper may he detached and the brush re-attached to the case
the cleaning of the bottom of vessel being finished with the brush if necessary.
Dated this 30th day of August 1899.
ALFRED SOUTHWELL.
Herbert P. Blake,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70, High Street. Southampton,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Boats and the like.
I, ALFRED SOUTHWELL, of 9, Union Road, Northam, Southampton, in the
County of Hants, Jobbing Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
My invention relates to apparatus for cleaning the bottoms of vessels, boats,
and the like.
The main object of my said invention is to provide an apparatus by means
of which the immersed part of a ship or boat can be thoroughly cleaned while the
vessel is afloat.
With this object in view I provide an apparatus of the kind hereinafter described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
--
Fig. 1, is an outside longitudinal view of my apparatus.
Fig. 2, a cross sectional view of Fig. 1.
In making an apparatus according to my invention I provide an air tight
case A, preferably of cylindrical form with a coned upper end B.
To the case I suitably attach, on the sides of same, a stiff brush C, or a number
of brushes.
In the drawings I have shewn the brush formed by covering the air tight
case A, with a wood casing D, in which the bristles or hairs are firmly secured,
thereby forming the complete brush.
On the upper coned end of the complete brush as described I provide a screw
threaded collar E, forming with a corresponding nut a connection by means of
which, or by similar means, I attach a flexible rod.
And I may attach to the said rod any desired number of flexible rods in turn,
attached to each other lengthways, by screwing or other suitable means.
In use the number of rods attached to each other will be in accordance with
the depth to which it is desired to work the apparatus, that is, in accordance with
the depth of the immersed part of the vessel which it is desired to clean.
I may if preferred charge the air tight case A, with any approved gas to
add to its buoyancy, for this purpose I provide on the upper end of the case the
screw plug or cap F.
The brush may be attached to the airtight case in one part or in parts, so as
to be readily attached and detached at will.
In use the brush, with the desired number of attached flexible rods, is im-
mersed in the water being held as close to the sides and bottom of the vessel as
possible, the buoyancy of the airtight case has the natural tendency to force
same upwards and against the bottom of the vessel, the operator pushing same
down and allowing the recoil to take place, and the consequent up and down
movement causes the brush to clean the bottom of the vessel from all weeds and
the like attachments.
To remove harder substances I may first detach the brush, and attach in its
place to the air tight case a steel scraper, preferably of spiral form, that is, the
said scraper will be fitted round the case lengthways of same in spiral form, after-
wards the scraper may be detached from, and the brush re-attached to the case,
the cleaning of the bottom of the vessel being finished with the brush if necessary.

page_text: 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:—
1st. The apparatus described for cleaning the bottoms of vessels, boats, and the
like, consisting of an airtight case and attached brush-or, in turn a spiral
scraper and flexible jointed rods, all constructed and combined substantially as
herein before described, and operating as, and for the purpose specified.
2nd. The combination with an airtight case of an attached brush and flexible
jointed rods, all adapted for brushing and thereby cleaning the bottoms of vessels,
boats, and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
3rd. The combination with an airtight case of an attached spiral scraper and
flexible jointed rods all adapted for scraping and thereby cleaning the bottoms
of vessels, boats, and the like, substantially as hereinbefore described.
ALFRED SOUTHWELL.
Herbert P. Blake,
Chartered Patent Agent, 70, High Street, Southampton,
Agent for the Applicant.