IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM VESSELS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM VESSELS." A communication from abroad by Robert Wilcox, of Fitzroy,
near Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th November 1878.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM VESSELS." A communication from abroad
by Robert Wilcox, of Fitzroy, near Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria.
This Invention, relating to improvements in steam vessels, has reference, first, to
the shape of their bottom; second, to their means of propulsion; and, third, to
their means of guidance or steering.
With reference to the first part of the said Invention it should be here premised
that the steam vessels herein-after referred to are twin vessels connected together
by means of suitable framework supporting a deck which extends right across the
two vessels in a manner that is now perfectly well known. The bottom of each of
these twin vessels is made very similar to the lower half of two cigars placed end
on to each other and cut in two lengthwise, the essential condition being that each
end of each half cigar shall come to a point, whilst the space between shall gradually
bulge out to the centre in regular curves. In order to give the vessel shallow
draught or increase its carrying capacity it may be lengthened in a manner herein-
after referred to.
The second part of the said Invention relates to the means of propulsion, and it
consists of two large flanged wheels with broad peripheries, over which gears a series
of endless steel wire ropes carrying floats or paddles, such wheels being so fixed as
that the floats or paddles will work in the water between the twin half cigar-
shaped vessels. These wheels are to be driven by engines placed in any suitable

page_text: position. The periphery of each wheel is covered with a thick coating of packing
made in segments of thrumbed mats previously filled between their thrumbed
interstices with an asphaltic or other bituminous compound, and subjected to a
heavy pressure. These segments are then placed on the periphery of each wheel
with ropes fastened to their underneath parts running round on the face of the
wheels. The space between the underneath parts of the segments and the face of
the wheels is then filled in with pitch, causing the segments to form a solid, compact,
and durable mass, upon which the wire ropes carrying the floats or paddles travel.
The flanges for preventing any lateral deviation of the wire ropes project outwardly
at a convenient angle.
The third part of the said Invention, which relates to the means of guidance or
steering, is carried out in the following manner :-These steam vessels are capable
of being driven in either direction, and consequently either end may, for the time
being, be the stem or stern. On what is usually termed the quarter of the vessel,
or just behind the widest part of each half cigar-shaped vessel, there is formed a
casing at right angles to the side for the reception of a rudder, which is forced out
more or less through the skin of the ship when required to direct the vessel's course,
and drawn in again when not required. Each guiding or steering arrangement
consists therefore of two rudders, one caused to project on one side and the other on
the other side of the vessel.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (on Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation
of a steam vessel constructed according to the said. Invention; Figure 2 is a plan
of the bottom, and Figure 3 is a plan of the top of the same, both corresponding to
Figure 1; Figure 4 (on Sheet 2) is a longitudinal section thereof, the left-hand half.
being taken along the line a, b, and the right-hand half being taken along the
line c, d, in Figure 3.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 are three cross sectional views taken respectively along the
lines indicated, and Figure 8 is an end view.
Figures 9 and 10 (on Sheet 3) represent respectively a plan and side view of the
ropes which carry the floats or paddles.
Figure 11 is a cross section of the rim of the propelling wheel.
And Figure 12 is a side view of a portion of the packing if the flanges of
propelling wheel were removed.
These Figures illustrate clearly the first and second parts of the said Invention,
viz, the construction of the bottom and the means of propelling the vessels.
A, A, are the two twin vessels, which are connected above by the framing B. It
will be observed that each half of these twin vessels comes to a point at A¹, whilst
they gradually bulge out to the centre A2, and are strongly connected together
lengthwise by girder bridges C, as, shewn in Figure 4, whilst the vessel, as a whole,
is strengthened crosswise by girders at intervals, as shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7.
In order to give the vessel shallow draught or increase its carrying capacity, it
may be, lengthened at the section shewn in Figure 5. D, D, are the two large
flanged wheels over which gear the steel wire ropes D¹ carrying the floats or
paddles D. The method of constructing and connecting these steel wire ropes is
illustrated in Figure 9, the method of attaching the floats thereto is shewn in
Figure 10, and the method of packing the peripheries of the wheels is represented.
in Figures 11 and 12.
It is evident that the bulge of the half cigar-shaped bottoms may be increased or
lessened, and the propelling wheels increased or diminished in size, and also that
the shape and connections of the floats or paddles may be altered without departing
from the nature of this part of the said Invention.
Figure 13 (on Sheet 4) represents an elevation of the steering apparatus, and
Figure 14 is a plan of the same..
!

page_text: Figures 15 and 16 (on Sheet 5) represent respectively an elevation and plan of
the steering wheel and its connections drawn to a larger scale.
E is the steering wheel mounted on the shaft E'; E2 is a screw thread cut on the
said shaft; Es is a box or female screw carrying crank arms E; Es are sliding
blocks, on the outer edge of each of which is a rack E° gearing into a pinion E7 on
the top of the spindle E8, the lower part of which carries an eccentric E for working
the slide valve of a steam cylinder F; F¹ are the pistons of these cylinders, and F*
their rods, which work the pistons G¹ of the water cylinders G; G2 and G³ are
pipes leading to other water cylinders H, the piston rods H2 of which pass through
stuffing boxes H' and work the rudders J. Each of these rudders is incased in a
water-tight chamber, and runs on friction rollers J' and between guide rollers J*.
When the wheel is turned in one direction the corresponding crank arm is carried
into the slot in the sliding block E³, whilst the other crank arm is quite free. The
rack E on the said sliding block then operates the rudder on that side of the ship
through the intervention of the intermediate contrivances, as shewn, thrusting it
out more or less, as may be required. When the steering wheel is returned to its
original position the rudder is restored to its original position inside the vessel, and
when the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction the opposite rudder is
thrust out from the vessel.
The steam and water cylinders herein-before referred to, and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, are of the ordinary description, and therefore need no
explanation, as their construction and working are perfectly well known.
Steam vessels constructed according to the said Invention have many advantages
over those of the ordinary description; for example, all other things being equal,
they can be driven at a greater speed, are more easily steered, and are subjected to
less wear and tear, thereby enabling both passengers and cargo to be carried more
conveniently and at less rates than with the existing vessels.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention is,-
First. Constructing twin steam vessels with the bottom or bottoms made sub-
tantially of the shape herein-before described, and illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Second. Constructing the propellers of twin steam vessels with two large double-
flanged wheels carrying endless ropes for the support of floats or paddles to act
against the comparatively still water between the two halves of a twin steam vessel,
substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated in the Drawings.
Third. Constructing steam vessels with the rudders to project from the sides, and
working them by the mechanical contrivances, substantially as herein-before
described, and illustrated by the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Complete
Specification set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of November,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.s)