AN IMPROVED SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Davies, Captain and Adjutant, Royal Military
.
College near Farnborough Hants for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED
SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT" communicated to him from abroad by Philip
Billingsley Walker and Henry George Riggs of Sydney New South Wales
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Davies at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1883.
68
JOHN DAVIES, Captain and Adjutant, Royal Military College, near Farnborough,
Hants. AN IMPROVED SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT." a communication from
abroad by Philip Billingsley Walker & Henry George Riggs of Sydney, New
South Wales.
The object of my said invention is to construct torpedo boats capable of
travelling under water with passengers or crew, and of continuing under water
at any necessary depth, and carrying fixing and firing, torpedoes while under
water.
The outer shell of the boat is cylindrical, tapering at both ends. The lower
part is fitted with a keel, and the upper part, abaft the midship section, is also
fitted with a keel having a groove therein for receiving the keel of the torpedo
and securing the same.
•
A four bladed screw propeller and a rudder are provided at the stern, and
moveable fins on each side of the boat, the inclination of which can be regulated
from the inside, to regulate the level or inclination of the boat at the different
depths or speeds. The fins are protected externally by guard plates and frames.
The interior of the boat is divided into compartments, the fore-compartiment and
stern compartments are used as reservoirs or accumulators of compressed air.
Another compartment is reserved for the air engines and the centre compartment
is for the man or men in charge. A man hole or air and water tight door is
provided at the top of the centre compartment to give access to the interior of the
boat. Thick plate glass windows are secured in this door as well as on the top of
the boat, with wire guards over them to give light to the interior

page_text: The centre room is fitted with a reclining bed for the operator or man in charge,
and the handles for the complete management of the boat are conveniently placed
within his reach, and the different gauges within his view.
A pair of small air pumps, attached to a foot treadle, are so arranged that the
man can work them with his feet, when required.
The compressed air engines for driving the screw propeller, are of the ordinary
type, and provided with the usual valves for shutting off or reversing, and are direct
acting or otherwise.
The motive power is compressed air stored in the accumulators or reservoirs,
and these are filled with compressed air by any of the usual methods from on
board ship or otherwise. Pressure gauges to indicate the pressure of the air in
the several compartments, and the pressure of the water to indicate the depth of
the boat below the surface, are fitted in conveninent places for observation Suitable
pipes and cocks are also provided to admit air to the centre room for breathing,
and valves are provided to carry away foul air when the boat is under water, and
to admit fresh air when the boat is at the surface
Exhaust valves, under the control of the operator, discharge the air from the
engines to the outside or into the room to utilise the same if required.
The torpedo is carried on the upper side or top of the boat, near the stern, and
is connected to a towing line, wound on a reel, which line may be cord or
insulated wire, to pay out and tow the torpedo; a 'spring handle and brake are
also provided for locking, releasing and regulating the paying out, and also for
cutting the line or wire. The insulated wire of the reel is connected inside the
torpedo with an electrical firing battery, under the control of the operator.
When the boat is in connection with a ship, as a tender, or otherwise, electrical
and telephonic wires are fitted to the operators room and the ship respectively,
passing through suitable tubes, and these wires can be instantaneously disconnected
by the operator, and allowed to slip through the tubes when necessary.
The whole apparatus is self-contained, and the operator can float, dive, and
regulate at will the speed, and the depth and direction of his boat.
The boat, and all its parts and machinery may be constructed either of steel, iron,
or other suitable metal, and of such a size as to accommodate one or any other
number of operators or passengers.
The ballasting, buoyancy, and trim of the vessel are adjusted by means of
weights, sliding on rods and secured by hand screws at the bottom of the centre
compartment, and the regulation of the depth by means of the fins is effected, and
observations made, with the aid of a spirit level in the boat, and pointers fitted to
the fin axles
When the ignition of the torpedo is effected by mechanical means, its nose piece
is provided with a spring, or small clockwork lever, rising when the torpedo is
leaving the cap, and adjusting the firing gear at the same time.
When the ignition is to be performed by electricity from the boat, the required
length of wire is payed out from the reel, and the torpedo is towed until it strikes,
when the operator frees himself of the wire by casting it free of the boat; in all
cases the torpedo is adjusted to maintain a suitable speed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th November
- 1883.
JOHN DAVIES Captain and Adjutant Royal Military College near Farnborough
Hants AN IMPROVED SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT [communication from Philip
Billingsley Walker and Henry George Riggs of Sydney New South Wales]
This Invention relates to and is designed to provide improved means for carrying
and fixing Torpedoes under water to be known as the Demon Torpedo Boat
The outer shell of the boat has the shape of a cylinder tapering at both ends
Figure 1 the lower part is fitted with a keel K K Figure 3 the upper part with a
fin or reversed keel K₁ K' arranged toward the stern for receiving and securing
the Topedoes T to be carried
A four bladed screw propeller and rudder R are also. provided and moveable
fins F F. figures 1. 2 and 6 are placed on each side of the boat to regulate the level
or inclination at the different depths and speeds these fins and the screw propeller
and rudder are protected by guard plates and frames
The interior of the boat is divided into compartiments the fore compartment A
figures 2 and 3 and the stern compartment Care accumulators or reservoirs for
compressed air the compartment E is reserved for the air engines and the centre
compartment O is the room for the man or occupant in charge. A man-hole or air
and water tight door D figures 1 and 3 is provided at the top of the centre com-
partment to give access to the interior of the boat Thick plate glass windows W
and W. W. are secured in this door as well as on the top of the boat with wire
guards over them to give light to the interior
=
The room is fitted with a reclining bed B for the Operator or man in charge and
the handles for the complete management of the boat are conveniently placed
within his reach and the different gauges within his view'
A pair of small air pumps H H figures 2. 3 and 6 connected with a foot treadle
is so arranged that the man can work them easily with his feet when required
The engine compartment E contains the compressed air engines E'. E¹. which are
of the ordinary type and provided with all the usual valves & for shutting off or
reversing when required and direct-acting or reversable
The motive power is compressed air stored in the accumulators or reservoirs A
and C figures 2 and 3 fitted by separate air pumps on board the ships and connected
with the accumulators by suitable pipes and valves Pressure gauges G and G¹
indicate the air pressure in the fore and after compartments respectively suitable
Cocks P. P¹. are fitted on the air pipes to admit air in the centre room for breathing;
the pressure being indicated there by the air gauge G figure 6 and regulated
according to the depth or sinking of the boat by the water gauge G3 figure 6
communicating with the outside. Valves V V, figure 1, are provided to carry
away foul air when the boat is under water or to bring in fresh air when it is
floating on the surface.
Exhaust valves V' V' figures 2. 3. 5 under the control of the Operator,
discharge the air outside or into the room at his option, to utilize the exhaust air
if required.
The pipe S, and valve cock S, fitted to the pipe S¹, figurès 3. 4. 5, supply
compressed air from the accumulator A. to the engine and the pipe S2 and the valvė
cock S figures 2. 3. 4. 5 from the accumulator C to the engine; the pipe St Si
figure 3 and the valve cock S¹ are to regulate the equal pressure or otherwise when
required between the two accumulators A and C.
21

page_text: The pipes and cock P³ figures 2. 3. 4. 5 are for supplying the engine with the air
compressed by the foot pumps H H, the handles R¹. R¹. and segments R³. R³.
figures 2. 3. are the steering gear connected with the rudder R the lever and
screw, F. and F. figures 2. 3. 6 are to raise or lower the fins F F to regulate their
inclination for the descent of the boat below the surface of the water or for rising
from under water during its course.
A spring handle L figures 3 and 5 is for locking the torpedo in place or releasing
it from the boat. M figures 1 and 4 is a reel of cord line or insulated wire to pay
out and tow the torpedo, and M' figures 3. 4 is a screw to regulate the brake. M³
figures 1 and 3 and release the reel at will and cut the line. The insulated wire
of the reel is connected inside the Torpedo with an Electrical firing battery under
the control of the operator inside the boat Tubes not shewn on drawing are
placed at the sides of the boat along the guard frames and plates for the Electrical
and Telephonic wires connected between the operators room, and the ship, these
wires may be disconnected instantaneously, by the Operator and let slip through
the tubes when necessary.
.
B figure 3 is the reclining bed and cushion for the operator.
En resumé the whole apparatus is self contained and the operator can float drive
and regulate at will the speed of his boat at any required depth and in any
direction having under his command after the necessary training and experience
the most complete instrument of offensive warfare yet devised.
It is safer under water than any diving apparatus and does not require the
attendance necessary upon the latter
☐ Among other advantages to be derived from this invention are;
1. The adaptability of the boat to be used on the surface of the water (being
ballasted to float) or at any convenient depth.
2. Safety from an enemies fire when under. water.
3. Complete management of the boat under water by the occupant or occupants as
the boat may be constructed to hold one or more operators..
4. Carrying and towing the Torpedo or Torpedoes under a ship, moving or at anchor
and firing such Torpedoes at will by electricity or otherwise.
5. Communicating by telephone or electricity between the Torpedo boat and the
ship to which it belongs.
6. Carrying on operations at night by means of the electric light
7. Its use in Naval warfare or. Harbour defences
Although I do not restrict myself to precise details already enumerated it is
necessary to explain more particularly the following to clearly understand the
importance and the modus operandi of this invention
The boat and all its parts and machinery may be made either of steel iron or
other metal or material suitable to the requirements of the apparatus
The accumulators or compressed air reservoirs may be made as strong as
necessary to resist a pressure of fifteen hundred (1500) pounds per square inch or
more and the engines may be made to work up to Five hundred pounds (500 lbs)
per square inch Although it is calculated that a speed of ten (10) knots per
hour may be obtained with a pressure of fourteen (14) atmospheres in the air
Engines
The range and speed will vary according to circumstances the operator or
operators having it in their power to put on the full pressure or work slowly as he
or they wish with the foot pumps
The Torpedoes to be carried may be of various forms but those of the shape
shewn are preferable the keel of the Torpedo fits into a groove on the top of the
boat and its nosepiece into a conical cap N figures 1 and 3 and it is secured in
position by a spring bolt or latch Q figures 2 and 3 through its keel and worked
by the handle L figures 3 and 5
The engine shaft and tubes for the rods of spring bolts and for steering gear are
fitted with stuffing boxes to make these shafts rods and tubes thoroughly air and
water tight the shafting of the fins and all outer holes through the skin of the
2

page_text: boat are similarly fitted with stuffing boxes and all internal pipe connections and
joints are made to resist the great pressure of the compressed air
The ballasting buoyancy and trimming of the boat are adjusted by means of
weights sliding on rods and secured with hand screws at the bottom of the centre
compartment
The adjustment for depth is performed by the inclination of the fins moved by
the lever F figures 2 and 3. having at its end a pointer shewing the inclination a
spirit level is also fixed on this lever.
The towing reel M figures 1. 3 and 4 is fitted in a small frame sliding in vertical
or inclined guides in which it is secured by a screw M' passing through the bottom
of the frame the rims of this reel can be pressed by this screw against a stop or
brake M² to prevent the unwinding or to stop the paying out when required and
by unscrewing of the frame the reel may be released and lifted completely away
during the towing If the ignition of the Torpedo is mechanical its nosepiece is
provided with a spring or small clock work lever rising when the Torpedo is
leaving the Cap-N and adjusting the firing gear at the same time.
When the ignition is to be performed by electricity from the boat the required
length of wire is paid out from the reel and the Torpedo is towed until it strikes
when the operator frees himself of the wire by casting it all free of the boat in all
cases the Torpedo is adjusted to maintain a suitable speed.
The Torpedo may also be fitted with projections to attach it to a ship and after
being towed under or against the ship by the boat the wire may be paid out and
the Torpedo fixed by the operator from a safe distance
The door or man-hole figures 1 and 3 can be opened from the inside or from the
outside also two lights or windows W¹ W' of the door can be opened from the
outside and two W. W. from the inside they are all fitted with india rubber seats
to make them air and water tight
Having so far described my improved submarine Torpedo boat I shall now
proceed to state the modus operandi of this invention
It is assumed that the operator has passed through a regular course of practice
with the apparatus and has a thorough knowledge of all its details
The compressed air having been introduced into the accumulators A and C
through suitable valve cocks and the Torpedo with the reel M placed in position.
and the electrical connection made and tested the operator enters the roou or
centre compartment 0 reclines on the cushion and closes the door D and
windows W. W. be supplies bimself with air from the cocks.P. P'. communicating
with the accumulators
If a great speed is necessary for a time he draws the air for his engines from one
of the accumulators only reserving the other for additional power
He may at first start the engines with the foot pumps H. H while speaking or
receiving any instructions through the Telephone until it is advisable to slip the
wire of the latter then closing the pump valve P2 and opening the valve cock S
drives the engines from the accumulator C the communication between the two
accumulators being closed by valve S¹ the two pressure gauges G and G' indicating
the respective pressures in the accumulators A and C. and the gauges G² and G³
the depth under water and pressure to be admitted into the room by the exhaust V'
or air cocks P. or P'.
The operator then adjusts his depth for a straight or inclined course by the
screw F of the lever F' attached to the fins F figures 6 and 3 and then steers
direct with the handles R¹ R¹ figures 2 and 5 for the ship to be operated upon and
regulates his speed accordingly by drawing the compressed air from A by the
valve S or from C by the valve S.
When nearing the ship before passing under it he draws the spring bolt Q with
the handle L figures 2. 3. 5 relieving the tail end of the Torpedo and by unscrewing
slightly M figures 3 and 4 allows the tow line to be paid out as far as required
then screwing it tight again it is stopped against the brake M2 and the Torpedo is
ready to be fired either mechanically or by electricity as already explained.

page_text: To prevent the tow line fouling the screw after firing the Torpedo the reel frame
is disengaged by the screw M' cutting the wire by the same operation and the reel
floats away from the guides.
As the Torpedo leaves the boat the fins F F are readjusted by bringing the
arm F to a mark on the dial previously made to trim the boat according to the
weight of the Torpedo
The operator then returns to his ship to have another Torpedo fitted on the boat
for a second attack
Having thus particularly described the said invention and the manner of
working the same it is to be clearly understood that I do not claim the particular
shape or dimensions nor any mechanical arrangement singly or apart from the
objects or purpose of the said invention as herein set forth nor do I restrict myself
to the precise details herein described and delineated but what I believe to be
novel and original and therefore claim is
First. The general combination of the apparatus herein described and setforth
in the Plan and Specification and which I claim to be worked by compressed air
for motive power and to dive at the same time substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn on the drawings.
Second. The arrangement of the foot air pumps as subsidiary motive power to
work the engines at a small speed substantially as described and shewn
'
Third-The arrangement. of the moveable side fins or floats to regulate the
diving or inclination under water.
Fourth-The arrangement of the compressed air accumulators to preserve a
greater pressure in one of thein for additional motive power and using the exhaust
air in the breathing room of the diving apparatus.
Fifth The attachment of the Torpedo on the boat and towing arrangements
combining the firing of the Torpedo by electricity from the boat.
Sixth The arrangement and combination of the different parts to guide the boat
under water at a high or low speed and at different depths.
.
In witness whereof I the said John Davies have hereunto set my hand and
seal this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
TATTYD LIZINA