IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SELF-PROPELLING TORPEDOES AND ROCKETS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Quick, of Hull, in the County of York, Engineer,
Royal Navy, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
SELF-PROPELLING TORPEDOES AND ROCKETS."
Sealed the 15th September 1877, and dated the 3rd July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Quick at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd July 1877.
GEORGE QUICK, of Hull, in the County of York, Engineer, Royal Navy. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SELF-PROPELLING TORPEDOES AND ROCKETS."
In constructing torpedoes the case or body of the propelling part of the torpedo
is loaded with discs of solid rocket composition by means of a hydraulic press ram
rising vertically up the case; and then a cavity is so formed in the solid composition
that the area of the surface of the said cavity shall remain practically constant
during the whole time the composition is burning, by which means a uniform thrust
will be exerted by the gas, generated by the combustion of the composition. To
effect this the case or body of the propelling part of the torpedo, which is of
cylindrical form, is secured in a strong metal jacket accurately fitting its exterior.
The metal jacket stands on, and one part of it is secured to a metal table in which is
a circular orifice of the same diameter as the interior of the case to be loaded, but
with the underneath edge slightly coned or rounded. This table is secured with the
orifice directly over the ram of the hydraulic press, so that as the ram rises it shall
pass fairly through the orifice and up the interior of the case to be loaded.
Immediately over the metal table and case jacket a massive cross head plate.
or press block is secured by pillars to the bed plate of the hydraulic press, so that
the upward pressure of the ram shall be resisted by the said pillars.
The method of loading the case is as follows:-The composition having been
duly prepared and pressed into discs, a disc of composition is placed on the face of
the ram of the hydraulic press, when, on the water being admitted to the press
Price 1071

page_text: cylinder, the ram is quickly forced upwards carrying the disc of composition. The
intense pressure is maintained for a short time, after which the water in the cylinder
is permitted to escape, when the ram quickly descends, and another disc of com-
position being placed on its face the operation is repeated until at length the case
is fully loaded with the composition in a solid mass. The cylindrical case of metal
being thus loaded with rocket composition so that it forms a solid mass of great
density, I then bore a cylindrical hole in the centre of and right through the whole
length of the composition, so that that which remains shall be in the form of a hollow
cylinder, after which I enlarge each end of the cylindrical bore into a conical form
by means of suitable cutters. By making the cavity in this form and of proper
proportions the composition as it burns away will always present the same area of
combustion surface, for whilst the cavity will be increased in diameter the length of
the composition will be reduced, the increase of area arising from the increased
diameter of the cavity being- balanced or compensated by the reduction of area
arising from the shortening of the composition by its combustion at both ends
simultaneously, and thus equal weights of composition will be burnt in equal times
and a uniform pressure of gas generated and maintained.
At the rear end of the torpedo I form an air space or air chamber, abaft the
contracted orifice or vent proper, so as to permit the propelling gas to expand
somewhat after issuing through the said contracted orifice or vent nearest the com-
position and before it encounters the water.
The air chamber may be of any shape providing it be of sufficient volume to
permit the gas to expand to such an extent as to prevent any injurious shock or wave
of pressure being generated and transinitted to the body of the composition on the
gas, first encountering the water.
I also form the exterior of the tail piece or rear end of torpedoes with a contracted
neck, and an enlargement or swelling abaft the contraction, whereby the torpedo
is caused to experience a certain resistence abaft its centre of gravity in its passage
through the water, and is thus kept in a straight course; and as an additional means
of obtaining accuracy of course I fix on the exterior of the torpedo metal plates or
feathers to act somewhat similarly as the feathers do on arrows.
For igniting the propelling composition I employ a long flaming tubular cartridge,
which cartridge is itself ignited by means of an electric fuze passing water-tight
through elastic packing, and a hollow screw gland in 'the outer end of the cartridge
chamber.
⚫ I also construct a rotating torpedo in which the vent for the discharge of the gas
consists of a number of orifices arranged in a circle and having a helical twist, so
that the gas in escaping through them shall cause the torpedo to rotate on its
longitudinal axis as it progresses through the water, and thus keep it in a direct
line.
These torpedoes, both rotating and non-rotating, may be discharged below the
water line from the bow or broadside of ships, or from forts and batteries standing
in the water, by means of tubes fitted with valves and passing water-tight through
the ship or fort.
In the construction of rockets for flight through the air I form grooves by cutting
or boring in the surface of the cavity made in the propelling composition, so that a
much larger area of the said composition shall be exposed for initial ignition, and
more rapid combustion obtained than could be procured in a rocket of the same size
and weight, having its cavity formed in the usual manner. By this means a greater
velocity will be imparted to a rocket in a given time, or what is called technically
a quicker jump" will be given, and greater accuracy of flight attained by large
rockets than is now possible. To effect this two methods may be used; first, a
cavity of the required diameter may be bored in the ordinary manner, and then by
means of a cutter having a reciprocating motion similar to that of an ordinary
slotting machine tool, cutting grooves of any required shape or depth in the cavity
so formed.
"

page_text: The second method, consists in boring several holes in a circle in the composition,
and then using a hollow cylindrical cutter or a drill to remove the centre.
In case of a very high speed being required for a rocket torpedo the surface of
the cavity in the composition may be grooved in order to obtain a large area for
combustion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
'
the said George Quick in. the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd January
1878.
GEORGE QUICK, of Hull, in the County of York, Engineer, Royal Navy. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SELF-PROPELLING TORPEDOES AND ROCKETS."
My Invention consists, firstly, in loading the case or body of the propelling part
of the torpedo with discs of solid rocket composition by means of a hydraulic press
ram rising vertically up the case, and then in so forming a cavity in the solid coin-
position that the area of the surface of the said cavity shall remain practically
constant during the whole time the composition is burning, by which means a
uniform thrust will be exerted by the gas generated by the combustion of the
composition. To effect this the case or body of the propelling, part of the torpedo,
which is of cylindrical form, is secured in a strong metal jacket accurately fitting its
exterior, the metal jacket being made in two parts capable of being separated to
admit the case and of being securely bolted together. The metal jacket stands on,
and one part of it is secured to a metal table, in which is a circular orifice of the
same diameter as the interior of the case to be loaded, but with the underneath edge
slightly coned or rounded. This table is secured with the orifice directly over the
ram of the hydraulic press, so that as the ram rises it shall pass fairly through the
orifice and up the interior of the case to be loaded. Immediately over the metal
table and case jacket a massive cross head plate, or press block, is secured by pillars
to the bed plate of the hydraulic press in the ordinary manner, so that the upward
pressure of the ram shall be resisted by the said pillars.
The method of loading the case is as follows:-The composition having been duly
prepared by grinding, mixing, and incorporation, is pressed into discs by means of suit-
able moulds and hydraulic presses of the diameter of the interior of the case to be loaded,
and of about an inch in thickness, the pressure applied in forming them being sufficient
to consolidate and harden them enough to permit of their being moved without
breaking. When a sufficient number of discs are prepared the operation of loading
the case may be commenced. The case being secured in the metal jacket fairly over
the orifice in the metal table, with the upper end of the said case closed by a metal
plate bearing against the screw in the massive cross head, plate, a disc of composition
is placed on the face of the ram of the hydraulic press, when, on the water being
admitted to the press cylinder, the ram is quickly forced upwards, carrying the disc
of composition. The hydraulic press may be furnished with two sets of pumps, the
larger ones being used for quickly forcing the ram and composition up the case with
a moderate pressure, and the smaller ones for applying a very intense pressure to
the composition when in its place in the case. The intense pressure is maintained
for a short time, after which the pumps are disconnected and the water in the
+

page_text: cylinder permitted to escape, when the ram quickly descends, and another disc of
-composition being placed on its face the operation is repeated, until at length the
case is fully loaded with the composition in a solid mass." The cylindrical case of
metal being thus loaded with rocket composition, so that it forms: a solid mass of
great density, I then bore a cylindrical hole in the centre of and right through the
whole length of the composition, so that that which remains shall be in the form of
a hollow cylinder, after which I enlarge each end of the cylindrical bore into a
conical form by means of suitable cutters, the proportion of the height of the conical
cavity to the diameter of the base being determined by the dimensions and
proportions of the mass of the composition and the diameter of the cylindrical bore.
Thus in the particular case where the length of the composition is seventy-five
inches, diameter of the same twenty-four inches, diameter of cylindrical cavity six
inches, then the vertical height of each conical cavity will be eighteen inches, the
diameter at the base will be twenty-four inches, and the cylindrical cavity will be
reduced in length to thirty-nine inches. By making the cavity in this form and of
the above proportions, the composition as it burns away will present approximately
the same area of combustion surface, for whilst the cavity will be increased in
diameter the length of the composition will be reduced, the increase of area arising
from the increased diameter of the cavity being approximately balanced or compen-
sated by the reduction of area arising from the shortening of the composition by its
combustion at both ends simultaneously, and consequent diminution of the area of
the cones, and thus equal weights of composition will be burnt in approximately
equal times and a uniform pressure of gas generated and maintained.
The nature of my improvements, which are also applicable to rockets constructed
for flight through the air, will be fully understood by referring to the accompanying
Drawings.
In the Drawing Figure 1 is an elevation in section (at x in Figure 2) of a
hydraulic press for loading torpedo and large rocket cases, and Figure 2 is a plan of
the same, the head plate or press block being removed. In Figure 1, which shows
the method of loading, A is the cylinder; B is the ram; C'is the platform carrying the
strong metal jacket D; E is the head plate or press block; F, F, are the pillars
connecting the press block to the cylinder; is the metal plate closing the upper
end of the case to be loaded, and G is a large screw in the press block which is forced
down on to the metal plate d. The case to be loaded is shown in section inclosed in
the jacket D. Figure 2 shows one half of the jacket D bolted to the platform C.
The other half, marked D, is moved to or from the standing half by means of the
screw and lever H. The screw I, fitted in the standing half of the jacket, is for the
purpose of forcing the case out of the jacket after it has been loaded.
It is obvious that a number of cases could be loaded simultaneously in a similar
manner by means of a number of rams rising vertically and connected together, and
operated by one set of pumps.
My improved non-rotating torpedo is shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. Figure 3
is a side elevation; Figure 4, a longitudinal section; Figure 5, an elevation of the
rear end with the external disc or cover removed, and Figure 6 is a cross section at
z in Figure 4.
:
A, A, A, A, is the cylindrical case containing the propelling composition; B, B, B,
is the tail piece of cast netal, secured by screwed rivets to the composition case;
C, C, is the chamber for containing the bursting charge of gunpowder or other
explosive material; g is a soft metal cap covering the fuse for firing the explosive
charge on the torpedo striking the object to be destroyed. The explosive material
in this chamber must be protected from the heat of the burning composition during
the time of propulsion by a covering of fire-clay or other non-conducting material,
shown by in the Drawing, Figure 4; or the chamber may be formed with a double
bottom. In these Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, a, a, is the composition; 'b, b, is the cylindrical
cavity; c, c, and c¹, c¹, are the conical surfaces formed in the composition. Now, as
the cylindrical cavity d, d, increases in diameter by the consumption of the compo-
sition, and as the whole of the composition will be consumed at the same rate and

page_text: at right angles to the surface, it is obvious that the area of the conical surfaces will
be diminished and the total length of the composition will be reduced at both ends,
and thus the area of combustion will remain practically constant until the whole of“
the composition is consumed.
My improvements consist also in forming at the rear end of such torpedo an air
space or air chamber abaft the contracted orifice or vent proper so as to permit the
propelling gas to expand somewhat after issuing through the said contracted orifice
or vent nearest the composition, and before it encounters the water. It is to be.
observed that the orifice or orifices in the metal which is next to the composition is
the vent proper, and by the proportion of the area of this vent to the area of
the combustion surface the pressure of the gas in the body of the torpedo is
determined.
In
In the Figures 4 and 10 D, D, D, is the air chamber, which may be of any shape,
providing it be of sufficient volume to permit the gas to expand to such an extent
as to prevent any injurious shock or wave of pressure being generated and trans-
mitted to the body of the composition on the gas first encountering the water.
Figure 4e is the vent proper, consisting in this case of a single orifice.
Figures 10 and 11 the vent consists of six orifices e¹, c, e³, e¹, e, e", whose united
area would about equal the one single orifice in Figure 4, but any number of orifices
may be used.
In
I also form the exterior of the tail piece or rear end of torpedoes with a contracted
neck, and an enlargement or swelling abaft the contraction, whereby the torpedo is
caused to experience a certain resistance abaft its centre of gravity in its passage
through the water, and is thus kept in a straight course; and as an additional means
of obtaining accuracy of course I fix on the exterior of the torpedo metal plates or
feathers by means of screwed rivets or otherwise, to act somewhat similarly as the
feathers do on arrows.
In Figures 3 and 4 B, B, is the tail piece; g, g, is the contraction or neck;
and h, h, the swelling or enlargements; the surface between g, g, and h, h, will
therefore be conical and at a considerable angle to the course of the torpedo when
passing through the water, by which a considerable amount of resistance will be
experienced thereon.
In Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are shewn the metal plates or feathers secured to
the exterior of the torpedo; d,¸d², d³, d³, d³, dº are the feathers or plates referred to;
but I do not confine myself to any particular number of such plates. They may be
made straight, as shewn in the Drawing, for non-rotating torpedoes, or made to
form portions of a screw or helical surface for a rotating torpedo; I prefer, however,
to make them straight, as shewn in the Drawing.
The principal features of a non-rotating torpedo are shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8; e is the vent proper, which is recessed so as to be larger on the rear side, and
is closed with a disc of metal, not shown in the Drawing, cemented in its place and
covered with shellac or other similar material to make a perfectly water-tight joint,
but capable of being easily forced off by a pressure from within the torpedo. The
mouth ff, of the swelling at the extreme rear end of the torpedo is also recessed,
and is closed with a plate of metal in a similar manner. The space between e and f
constitutes the air chamber D, D.
On the ignition of the propelling charge the gas generated drives off the disc
from the contracted vent c into the air chamber D, so that the pressure in the body
of the composition is relieved and the torpedo put into motion without shock; at
the next instant the outer plate at the mouth fis driven from its seat, and the gas
escapes freely, as the torpedo is then in motion, and the water cannot flow into the
wake of the torpedo so quickly as the latter moves.
:
In Figures 4, 7, and 8 m is a small chamber formed to receive a long flaming
tubular cartridge for igniting the propelling composition, which cartridge is itself
ignited by means of an electric fuse passing water-tight through elastic packing and
a hollow screw gland in the outer end of the cartridge chamber.
The chamber m and tubular cartridge are shown on an enlarged scale by Figure 9,

page_text: which is a longitudinal section, in which m is the metal chamber; n is the tubular
cartridge; o is the india-rubber packing; p is the screw gland; and
-fuze.
the electric
Figure 6 is a cross section of the torpedo at ; and Figure 7 is a cross section at y
in Figure 4, looking from the fore part to the rear, showing the front end of the
tail piece B in elevation; Figure 8 is a section at x in the same Figure 4, looking
from the rear part forward, showing the contraction in section.
The principal features of the rotating torpedo are as follows:--The vent for the
discharge of the gas consists of a number of orifices arranged in a circle and having
a helical twist, so that the gas in escaping through them shall cause the torpedo to
rotate on its longitudinal axis as it progresses through the water, and thus keep it
in a direct line.
It is to be observed that in this form, as in the non-rotating torpedo before
described, there are really two vents for the gas to pass through; the first one.being
that nearest the composition is the vent proper, which by the proportion of its area
to the area of the combustion surface determines the pressure of the gas in the body
of the torpedo, and the second or exterior vent is that through which the gas passes
before it strikes the water. The air chamber, which is situated between these two
vents, is for the purpose of permitting the expansion of the gas after issuing from
the contracted vent, and for preventing heavy shocks or waves of pressure being
generated on the gas first meeting the water.
The outer vent, it is to be observed, is of greater area than the inner vent.. A
series of vents and air chambers may however be used, the vents increasing in area
from the one next the composition to the rear.
In the Drawing Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the rear part of a torpedo
constructed on the rotating principle; a, a, is the propelling composition; B, B, is
the vent piece proper with helically curved orifices e¹, e², e³, es, es, e, formed in its
periphery, and with the cartridge chamber m in the centre. The space D between
the vent proper and f, the external orifice, is the. air chamber or space before
mentioned.
Figure 11 is a cross section of the torpedo at w, in Figure 10, showing the rear
face of the vent piece B in elevation; and Figure 12 is a side elevation of the vent
piece as seen when removed from the torpedo.
These torpedoes, both rotating and non-rotating, may be discharged below the
water line from the bow or broadside of ships, or from forts and batteries standing
in the water by means of tubes fitted with valves, and passing water-tight through
the ship or fort, the propelling composition in the torpedo being ignited by means
of any electric firing battery placed in any convenient position.
My improvements consist, fourthly, in the construction of rockets for fight through
the air, with grooves formed by cutting or boring in the surface of the cavity made
in the propelling composition, so that a much larger area of the said composition
shall be exposed for initial ignition and more rapid combustion obtained than could
be procured in a rocket of the same size and weight having its cavity formed in the
usual manner. By this means a greater velocity will be imparted to a rocket in a
given time, or what is called technically "a quicker jump" will be given and greater
accuracy of flight obtained by large rockets than is now possible. To effect this
two methods may be used, first, a cavity of the required diameter may be bored in
the ordinary manner, and then by means of a cutter having a reciprocating motion
similar to that of an ordinary slotting machine tool, grooves may be cut of any
required shape or depth in the cavity so formed.
The operations of boring and cutting the grooves may be performed when the
composition is either vertical or horizontal, but the vertical position is to be
preferred for boring..
The second method consists in boring several holes in a circle in the composition
and then using a hollow cylindrical cutter or a drill to remove the centre part of
the composition, so that the remainder shall have a grooved or fluted surface.
In the Drawing, Figure 13 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 14 a transverse

page_text: section of a rocket, in the cavity of which grooves have been formed with a cutter
having a slotting machine tool motion. In this case the area of the initial ignition
surface is about double that which it would be without the grooves.
Figure 15 is a transverse section of a rocket showing the second method of
grooving, in which six holes i¹, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, have been bored in the composition (but
any larger or less number of holes may be used), and the work of the cylindrical
cutter has been commenced.
Figure 16 is a transverse section of the same rocket after the boring with the
cylindrical cutter has been completed.
In making very large shell rockets I insert a small rocket of similar construction
in the centre of the cavity of the large rocket, and secure it concentrically by means
of a screw to the centre of the base of the shell of the large rocket, by which means
the area of the combustion surface is still further increased.
Several rockets may also be arranged concentrically one inside the other for the
same purpose; these rockets may be caused to rotate on their axis on the same prin-
ciple as the Hale rocket, or by an arrangement similar to that employed for the
rotating torpedo shewn in the Drawing, Sheet 2, and Figures 10, 11, and 12; but I
do not claim any particular form of tail piece or method for rotating these rockets
for flight through the air.
In case of a very high speed being required for a rocket torpedo, the surface of the
cavity in the composition may be grooved in order to obtain a large area of com-
position for ignition, and to cause rapid combustion.
I form the composition into discs of the required diameter and thickness by means
of a hydraulic press somewhat similar to those used for the manufacture of pellet
powder, except that each mould plate has but one mould only for the formation of
a disc, instead of a large number of small moulds for the formation of numerous
pellets simultaneously. Before the mould is filled with composition a gun metal
or copper plate is placed at the bottom, which is forced out of the mould with the
composition after it is pressed, which permits the disc to be moved without
breaking.
The case or cylindrical part of the torpedo for containing the composition is a tube
formed of mild steel, homogeneous iron, or by preference of wrought iron on the coil
principle to secure great strength. It is turned and bored, and the inside is tinned
to protect it from any chemical action of the composition, or it may be plated with
an electro deposit of copper or nickel.
The tail part of the torpedo is formed of malleable or cast iron, turned, bored, and
fitted as required to the case containing the propelling composition.
The cover for closing the vent is formed of corrugated iron, and is bedded in its
place in red lead or other cement, and is then sealed on the outside with a solution
of shellac.
The long flaming cartridge is loaded with equal parts rocket composition, meal
powder, and blue light composition, but any ordinary long flaming composition may
be employed.
I prefer to cause the torpedo to explode on striking an object by means of a per-
cussion fuse, so that in the event of the torpedo not striking it will sink to the
bottom when the propelling power is exhausted. A time fuse may however be
inserted in the explosive charge chamber, the flame from the propelling charge
igniting the fuse.
The explosive charge can be inserted in the chamber either loose, or in water-
proof bags, or small metal cases, as may be most suitable for the material employed.
The apparatus for the discharge of the torpedoes from chambers or vaults built in
the water or formed in the bases of forts or batteries consists estentially of a strong
metal tube fitted to an aperture at the requisite depth below the water line, with a
sluice valve for excluding the water, and with a ball-and-socket joint to permit the
inner end of the said tube to be raised, or lowered, or traversed horizontally, as may
be required. The inner end of the tube is fitted with a hinged door for closing the
tube water-tight after the torpedo is inserted. On the side of the tube close to the

page_text: .
.
door a small orifice is made, fitted with a stuffing-box and gland, through which
the insulated wires from the electric fuse in the torpedo are passed to the main wires
connected with the firing battery. The under side of the tube is fitted with a cock
for emptying the tube of water when required. On the upper side of the tube a
large pipe is fitted, the top of which pipe is freely open to the air for the, relief, of
the pressure of gas generated on the propelling composition being ignited.
The inner end of the discharging tube is supported on a frame or light carriage on
wheels which run on racers on the floor, of the torpedo room, so, that the tube can
be traversed through a considerable arc or angle.
An elevating screw is fitted in the top of the frame or carriage, so that any required
angle of elevation can be given to the discharging tube.
It is to be understood that the discharging tube must lie at an angle to the surface
of the water of from one to six or more degrees, so that the torpedo, which is of
greater specific gravity than the water, shall travel, at the required distance, below
the surface.
size
The angle of elevation required must be calculated and determined for every
and description of torpedo, and will depend principally on the specific gravity of the
torpedo, its velocity, and the proportion the weight of the composition .burnt. per
second bears to the whole weight of the torpedo when immersed in water.
The velocity of descent of a torpedo of two feet diameter and about twice the
specific gravity of water would become uniform in about one-third of a second after
leaving the discharging tube if the composition did not burn away, and thus reduce
the specific gravity of the torpedo; but as the weight of the torpedo decreases, the
velocity of descent gradually diminishes, so that the angle of elevation given to the
discharging tube must be such as to compensate for the mean velocity of descent,
when the torpedo will travel very nearly at a uniform depth, below the surface
throughout its entire range.
This discharging gear is suitable also for use on board ship in smooth.water or
when rolling if fixed sights be used, and the torpedo be discharged when the sights
are in line with the object to be struck.
Self-acting apparatus may, also be employed to keep the discharging tubes at the
required angle to the surface of the water, the mechanism consisting of a heavy
pendulum in the case of discharging tubes fitted on the broadside mounted in a
strong frame in the centre of the ship, which by means of a prolongation above, its
axis, connected with rods, bell cranks, and levers, will elevate or lower the inner
end of the discharging tubes on both sides of the ship, so that as the ship rolls a
torpedo may be discharged from either or both sides at the proper angle to the
surface of the water. The pendulum is of sufficient weight to prevent any dis-
turbance of the angle of the tubes on the discharge of either, or both the torpedoes.
In the Drawing Figure 17 is a side elevation of the discharging tubes fitted to
discharge torpedoes on the broadside of a vessel, with self-acting pendulum appa-
ratus for keeping. the tubes at a constant angle to the surface of the water; Figure 18
is a plan of the discharging tube and pendulum arrangement on the port side only;
and Figure 19 is a front elevation of a discharging tube only, the pendulum arrange-
ment, not being shown. In these Figures A, A, A, is the discharging tube on the
port side of the ship, having a ball at the outer end fitting into the socket B, B, B,
which forms part of the sluice valve casing C.. D is the spindle of the sluice valve,
on which is a rack actuated by a pinion d, shown in Figures 18 and 19. E, E, is a
large escape pipe fitted to the discharging tube, and having a ball-and-socket joint
at its base, and a telescopic arrangement at its upper end to permit of the movement
of the discharging tube; this pipe allows the gas to escape freely into the atmo-
sphere on the ignition of the propelling composition. F is a cock for the purpose of
running the water out of the tube. G.is the hinged door closing the tube water-
tight after the torpedo is inserted., is the packing gland and stuffing box, through
which the insulated. wires of the electric fuse are passed to be connected with the
firing battery.. is the screw and lever by which the door is secured to the dis-
charging tube. As, B; C, &c., are the corresponding parts of the discharging tube

page_text: on the starboard side. W,W,W,. is the floor of the torpedo room, and Y, Y, Y, the
ship's side.
The self-acting apparatus, for keeping the tubes when fitted on the broadside of
ships at a constant angle to the surface of the water is shewn in Figures 17 and 18:
A.description of the mechanism on one side only. will make the apparatus more
clearly understood, the mechanism on the other side being similar.
..In, the Figures 17 and 18 H is the pendulum, having a rigid prolongation above
its axis of suspension. I is a strong metal frame furnished with friction-wheels
0, 0, 0, 0, and bearings for the axis of the pendulum. J is a rod connected to the
upper end of the prolongation of the pendulum, which rod is divided in the centre
and furnished with right and left handed screw threads and a long nut d, by which
it may be lengthened or shortened. The extreine end of the rod J is jointed to the
bell-crank lever K, which is keyed securely to the horizontal shaft L, which shaft is
mounted in the frames P and P¹, shewn in Figure 18. On the other end of the
shaft La straight lever Kis shown in Figure 18, and from the ends of these levers
the links or side rods M. are suspended; the lower end of these links is connected by
the shaft N, on which the discharging tube rests. A saddle or bed with elevating
screw may be secured to the shaft N for the discharging tube to rest on, but this is
not shown in the Drawing.
The dotted lines show the effect of the rolling of the ship on the pendulum and
the action of the pendulum on the port discharging tube, but it is obvious that as
the ship rolls the tubes will be affected in opposite directions; thus, when the ship
rolls to starboard the pendulum will swing to starboard, elevating the inner end or
breech of the port discharging tube, and lowering the inner end of the starboard
tube; and a directly contrary action will ensue on the ship rolling over to port.
The pendulum may be locked in a vertical position when required by means of a.
bolt passing through the cross bar R in the frame I. Discharging tubes fitted thus
cannot be traversed.
Figure 20 is a side elevation of the discharging tube and self-acting apparatus for
the bow of a vessel, but the gas escape pipe and drain cock are not shown in
this Figure. The sluice valve is fitted in this case in a vertical position, and the
pendulum is placed under the discharging tube, with the prolongation bent at an
angle of 45 degrees.
As the space in the bow of a vessel is very limited, a large pendulum may in
some cases not be applicable. To assist therefore in sustaining the weight of the
tube and its contents, and to facilitate its movements, a cylinder S fitted with a
piston or ram T may be placed vertically under the tube, and compressed air, steam,
or water admitted to the under side of the piston or ram by means of the pipe V at
such a pressure as to sustain a portion of the weight without altering the position of
the tube on the discharge of the torpedo. The total pressure must not therefore
exceed the weight of the discharging tube.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into practical effect, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I
do not confine myself to the exact detail herein set forth, as such may be varied
or modified without departing from the principle thereof, but I claim as my
Invention,―
The modes of constructing self-propelling torpedoes and rockets, as herein
described and shown in the Drawings, that is, loading torpedo and rocket cases with
composition by means of hydraulic rams or plungers raised vertically up the said
cases, and carrying discs of composition on their face.
And I claim the construction of torpedoes and rockets loaded solidly by means of
a hydraulic press, and then bored right through, with a conically-shaped cavity
formed at each end.
And I claim the mode of forming and application of an air space or expansion
chamber abaft the vent proper both in rotating and non-rotating torpedoes.
And I claim the method of forming an enlargement or swelling at the rear end

page_text: of torpedoes and rockets, either alone or combined with the metallic feathers to
obtain accuracy of flight or travel.
And I claim the method of increasing the area of the composition exposed for
initial ignition in rockets by forming grooves in the surface of the composition by
means of cutters or drills, but I do not restrict myself to any form or number of
grooves, or to any particular form of cavity or kind of rocket.
And I claim the combination of parts herein described as applied to the construc-
tion of self-propelling torpedoes and rockets. .
In witness whereof, I, the said George Quick, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
GEORGE QUICK. (L.S.)