An Improved Paint for Ships' Bottoms.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 14th Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Paint for Ships' Bottoms.
I, GEORGE LUCIOUS BURNHAM, of 573 Craneton Street Providence, in the County
of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, United States of America, Gentleman,
dohereby 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 relates to certain new and useful improvements in paints and
especially to a coating for ships' bottoms, and other surfaces which are exposed to the
action of sea water, and upon which barnacles or other crustacea are likely to collect.
Besides my improved paint being an effectual preventative against barnacles becoming
attached to the surface of the bottom of a ship, it will also prevent worms from
burrowing in the hull of a wooden ship, as well as in any submarine wooden
structure.
In my experiments in endeavouring to find a suitable paint for the purpose for
which I design my paint I have found that sea-weed ground while green and wet with
oil when compounded with certain other ingredients which form principally a body to
retain the seaweed, will effectually prevent barnacles from adhering to the bottom of
a ship which is subjected to sea water, and also to prevent any kind of marine animal
from touching the wood thus coated. My paint when applied to the bottom of the
ship will also present a smooth enameled gloss which will not in any way retard the
progress of the ship when in motion through the water.
In preparing my paint, I take a quantity of linseed oil, say ten gallons, and add to
it one-half pound of litharge and one half-pound of sugar of lead. These ingredients
are boiled together for five hours under a heat of six hundred degrees Fahrenheit at
which degree the ingredients are thoroughly fused together, after which the mixture
is reduced by the application of turpentine to the right consistency of a paint which
may be easily applied with a brush. To this mixture I apply one pint of seaweed,
which is first ground while green and wet just as it is picked from the sea shore with
oil, after which the paint is ready for use.
Various colors of ochre, or other coloring pigments may be added to get any desirable
shade, but none of which have any effect on the kelp or other ingredients, and if
desired a varnish may be used in the mixture.
My improved paint, while being a sure guard against barnacles and all other
crustaceans forming on ships' bottoms, also will preserve the hull from the action of
sea water and prevent any metallic portions. with which the paint is coated from
corroding.
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
A paint for the bottoms of shins consisting of seaweed which is ground while green

page_text: and wet in oil, and compounded with litharge, sugar of lead, turpentine and linseed
oil, in the proportions hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 26th day of January 1897.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.