IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF FASTENING, ATTACHING, AND PLACING SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew James Derney, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF FASTENING,
ATTACHING, AND PLACING SUCH APPARATUS."
Sealed the 4th July 1873, and dated the 23rd April 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew James Derney
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 23rd April 1973.
I, ANDREW JAMES DERNEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
5. do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF FASTENING,
ATTACHING, AND PLACING SUCH APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
=-
I, ANDREW JAMES DERNEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
5. do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN SHIPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF FASTENING,
ATTACHING, AND PLACING SUCH APPARATUS," to be as follows:-

page_text: practised.
Heretofore in using or applying air bags or cases to the interior of
sunken ships it has been considered sufficient to simply insert such bags
or cases into the interior of the vessel to be raised, no attention being
given to the formation of such bags or cases or to a proper method of
securing them, the operators trusting to the strength of the decks and
upward lift of the air bags or cases; but it has been found that the air
bags or cases chafe themselves to such an extent against the decks and
beams that they burst and are comparatively useless.
This Invention relates, firstly, to the special shape of the bags or cases
used, and consists in making the bags or cases with the base or bottom
side of the bag or case flat, or dispensing with the bottom altogether,
thereby saving material, weight, and cost, the rest of the bag or case
being formed bell shaped, semicircular, or triangular. The bags or cases
being of such size as to fit between the decks and of width to extend
from the staunchions in the centre of the ship to the side of the ship,
and of length or capacity to be easily inflated.
This Invention relates, secondly, to a peculiar method of banding and
fastening the bags or cases, and consists of encircling or binding the bags
or cases with bands of flat roping or girthing spaced at intervals to suit
the deck beams of the vessel to be lifted. The bands are fastened to the
cases with by preference marine glue, or are passed through eyes or
provisions on the outside of the bags or cases, and are attached together
by a strong rope running the entire length of the case and at the centre
of the base thereof. This rope takes each band in succession. At each
side of the bands on the base and at the centre of the bands on the base
are attached strong cringles or rings to be used for lashing or attaching
the bags or cases to the 'tween deck beams or to the kelsons or bottom
of the ship where it is purposed to place them.
In putting this Invention into practice the bags or air cases being of
size and shape to suit the vessel to be raised, are inserted by preference
between decks on each side, extending from the staunchions in the
centre of the ship to the sides of the ship respectively. The bags or
cases are then firmly lashed or attached to the deck beams by the before a
mentioned cringles on the girth ropes. When placed in position and
firmly secured, the bags or cases are filled from above with air or gas

page_text: through pipes by pumps or any suitable means, as is now practised.
Through the bags being bell shaped or triangular and lashed at the base
to the deck beams, the air will readily distend the bags or cases, and when
inflated the bags or cases are of such size to fill up the space in the
'tween decks without chafing against the ship's side, the under side of the
upper deck, beams, or staunchions. When sufficient bags or air cases
have been inserted and inflated, the vessel will rise by her own buoyancy,
the bags or cases expelling the water. When it is found insufficient to
use bags or cases in the 'tween decks, I place bags or cases of similar
construction in the hold of the vessel, but care must always be taken
that the bags or cases are lashed or secured at their base, or else the bags
or cases will chafe and become useless and unmanageable.