IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINĖ BOATS, AND IN fitting torpedOES WITII SUITABLE MEANS FOR ADAPTING THEM TO BE DISCHARGED THEREFROM
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
I, JOSIAH HAMILTON LANGDON TUCK, of San Francisco, in the County of
San Francisco, and State of California, United States of America, Gentleınan, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINĖ
BOATS, AND IN fitting torpedOES WITII SUITABLE MEANS FOR ADAPTING THEM TO BE
DISCHARGED THEREFROM, to be as follows:-
My invention relates to submarine boats or vessels and to torpedoes for use in
harbor defenses and naval and submarine operations generally.
The boat is preferably constructed of metal and having a cigar-shaped hull or
body divided into any suitable number of compartments. Within the principal
compartment is a motor and other necessary apparatus for propelling the boat and
discharging the torpedo, said compartment being of a size sufficient to admit of the
presence therein of a sufficient number of persons to perform such operations.
The bottom of the boat is provided with independent water compartments having
connection with the outside water through inlet and outlet pipes, and with a
pumping engine within the boat so that the water ballast can be increased or
diminished to regulate the depth of submersion as desired of the bont. The bont is
provided at one end with a screw-propeller for the purpose of propelling the boat
horizontally through the water and at its bottom with another propeller by means
of which the vertical movement downward within the water of the boat may be
secured. The boat is, in addition to the ordinary rudder, provided at the same end
with an auxiliary or tail rudder by means of which the course of the boat in a
vertical direction may be changed. Centrally, or nearly so, of the boat are formed
water lock compartments within which the lookout may stand; these compartments
have connection with the interior and exterior parts and are covered by doors or
covered hatches which are opened alternately. They are connected with one or
more ballast compartments by means of small outlet pipes whereby the water taken
into the lock through the outer openings is drawn out of it before the lower opening
is uncovered, by this means entrance to and exit from said lock compartments may
be effected during the submersion of the boat. The lookout will be provided with
a submarine armor connected by a suitable air pipe to an air pumping engine within
the boat which is operated by one of the crew therein. In the interior is arranged
FIL
ለ.

page_text: a pressure gago by which the depth of water during submersion may be indicated
to the occupants. The top of the boat is provided with a hinged mast for raising
and lowering an air supply and discharge pipes or tubes connected therewith so
that the outlet and inlet openings may be raised and held above the surface of the
water while the boat remains submerged. Near each end the boat is provided with
water tanks which are connected to the ballast compartments by tubes provided
with cocks or hinged valves which permit of the water passing from said tanks
to the ballast compartments but prevent its return. The tubes through which the
ballast compartments are supplied are provided with suitable cocks or valves by
which said compartments may be filled either singly or simultaneously. Each
ballast compartment is connected by a suitable pipe with a pumping engine by
means of which when it is desired to raise the vessel the water in said compartments
may be reduced or removed. The extent of submersion of the boat is regulated by
the amount of water in the ballast compartments, consequently when it is desired
to lower the boat within the water said compartments are filled or nearly filled
with water depending upon the extent of submersion desired and when it is
desired to raise the boat to or nearly to the surface of the water the requisite
amount of water within said ballast compartment is pumped out therefrom by
means of the pumping engine and pipes connected therewith and with said
compartments. By this means the boat can bo very readily used for submarine
explorations as at whatever depth said explorations have to be effected the boat
can be correspondingly raised or lowered; this is very desirable whero sea walls,
piers, and other submarine structures have to be examined. The lookout while
within the water lock compartment has free use of his limbs and can readily
arrange or release the torpedoes, mast, and air tubes, and guide and govern the
boat by signaling the engineer and steersman within the boat.
The torpedo is made waterproof and is provided with a float portion at one end
so as to compel it to rise in the water after it has been discharged from the boat.
The torpedoes are provided with brackets or slots and are placed in suitable frames
at the bow and stern of the boat which is provided with a longitudinal bar or bars
which pass over said frames and brackets and hold the torpedoes in place, said bars
being connected with a pivoted lever near the center of the boat and within
convenient access by the lookout in the water lock, so that he can readily draw
said bar or bars from the torpedoes when the desired position has been reached by
the boat and permit said torpedoes to rise which they will readily do owing to the
float portion thereof previously referred to. Each pair of torpedoes is connected by
a chain or cable provided with insulators on which are electric wires which are coiled
around a reel at the top of the boat and under the control of the lookout, by means
of which said wires may be paid out to any desired extent; these wires extend
downward to an electric battery within the boat which is controlled by one of the
crew therein and by means of which torpedoes may be exploded at the proper
moment.
This vessel and torpedo may be used for blowing up wrecks, and the vessel for
setting blasts &c. besides being used for submarine investigations generally as
heretofore mentioned.

page_text: I, JOSIAH HAMILTON LANGDON TUCK, of San Francisco, California, United
States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBMARINE BOATS, AND IN FITTING TORPEDOES WITH
SUITABLE MEANS FOR ADAPTING THEM TO BE DISCHARGED THEREFROM," and in
what manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to submarine boats or vessels and to torpedoes, for use in
harbour defences and naval and submarine operations generally.
The following description fully explains the nature of my said invention and
the manner in which I construct and use the same, the accompanying drawings
being referred to by figures and letters.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my boat representing the general
arrangement of machinery for operating the boat and the torpedoes and means for
supplying air to the occupants.
Figure 2 is a plan view, and
Figure 3 is a cross section, through the water locks, of Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional detail views of the torpedoes.
A represents the cigar-shaped hull or body preferably constructed of metal.
B is a principal compartment to contain a motor and other necessary apparatus
and also affording room for a sufficient number of persons to manage the boat and
perform the required operations. C is an electric motor. D, E, E, are independent
water ballast compartiments formed under the boat and having connection with
the outside water through inlet and outlet pipes, and with pumping engine, so that
the ballast can be increased or diminished as required to regulate the depth of
submersion. F is a screw propeller for giving horizontal movement and G a similar
propeller by which vertical motion is effected. H is the principal rudder and I is
an auxiliary tail rudder for changing the course in a vertical direction. J, J, are
water lock compartments having connections both with the interior and exterior of
the boat through manholes controlled by doors or covered hatches, operated alter-
nately. They are connected with one or more of the ballast compartments by
means of small outlet pipes whereby the water taken into the lock through the
outer opening is drawn out of it before the lower opening is uncovered. By this
means exit and entrance to the boat is effected during submersion.
K is a coupling for connecting the air tube of a submarine armor with a fixed
air tube L within the boat; and L is a pumping engine for supplying air to the
occupant of the water lock. R is a pressure gauge by which the depth of water
above the boat during submersion is indicated at all times. W is a hinged mast
for raising an air supply tube or tubes to hold their inlet openings above the surface
while the boat remains submerged out of sight.
The hull or body A is pointed at both ends and is otherwise shaped according to
the approved principles of constructing submarine vessels. Near each end it is.

page_text: provided with water tanks Q, Q, which are connected to the water ballast com-
partments by tubes q, q, which are provided with cocks q, q', which permit the
water to flow from the tanks into the ballast compartment but prevent its going
from the compartment to the tanks.
The separate compartiments D, E, are connected with the outside water by a
system of pipes g, g, controlled by stop cocks g' by which each compartment is
filled with water independently of the others, or all may be filled simultaneously.
From each compartment a suction pipe h leads to pumping engine for reducing or
removing the body of water in any one, or all, of the compartments and discharging
it out the side of the vessel. This arrangement and the connection of the inlet and
outlet pipes is seen in Figure 1. The ballast com; artments are provided to regulate
the depth of submersion. By changing the amount of water ballast the boat is
caused to rise or sink in the water.
Connection of the propeller shaft F is made by a clutch F and a hand power
engine F is combined with it in such a manner that it can be thrown into action
to work the propeller when the motor is inoperative or is not required.
A propeller Ġ on a vertical shaft G¹ is mounted in the centre of the body
beneath the boat, and a clutch connects the propeller shaft with the motor, and
with an auxiliary hand power G' which is employed so that the propeller can bo
operated by one or the other when it is required to work it.
The connection of the shafts F¹, G', with the motive power is made by clutches
or couplings of any suitable character.
The propeller G produces a vertical movement of the boat up or down.
In the centre of the hull are formed independent water locks or water tight
compartments J, J, accessible from the inside of the boat through openings J¹, J,
and affording exit from the vessel through hatchways or openings covered by
hatches J. Each lock is sufficiently large to permit entrance and exit of a person
in submarine armor, and they are independent of each other as respects the taking
in and the letting out of water, so that one or both may be used as occasion
requires. An outlet pipe m from the bottom of each discharges into the water
ballast compartment below through the pump.
A single lock can be used with good effect but in the general construction
throughout the boat I have provided a double set or system of parts and apparatus,
to insure against accidents and to place the entire vessel under control in all
emergencies, and for this reason I provide a separate egress and return for a second
operator who may assist or operate jointly with the other operator.
An air supply pipe L leads into each water lock from an air pump inside tho
vessel. It is provided with a coupling K, in the lock, to which the flexible air
tube L' of a diver's armor can be connected. With the exception of this one
attachment however the occupant of the water lock while in position for operation
is independent of the vessel and has free use of his limbs to arrange the torpedoes,
or release or place them, to operate the mast and air tubes for replenishing the
atmosphere in the boat and to assist in guiding and governing the boat by giving
signals to the steersman and engineer.
Each lock has a small vent pipe 2 with a stop cock p¹ to admit air necessary for
discharging the water when the hatches have been closed and it is required to
draw off the water taken into the compartment or lock, before the inner opening is
uncovered..
The indicator R is a V-shaped tube like a barometer gauge with its open end
fixed in an aperture in the top of the vessel to communicate with the outside
water; its scaled end is situated in a convenient place inside the engine room and
provided with a scale to indicate the pressure of column of water supported by the
mercury in the bend of the gauge.
The rudder I for changing the vertical course of the vessel consists of a flat
horizontally-placed blade having a pivot i to swing up and down upon it to take
any angle above or below the horizontal within certain limits. The pivot i works
in a water tight box and a lovers connected with it projects into the engine room

page_text: and is controlled by a steersman. The movements of the blade affect the front end
or bow of the boat and produce elevation or depression as desired.
Air for respiration is supplied to the vessel and renewed as often as desired
without coming to the surface by means of tubes T, T, and a device for raising and
holding their ends above the water while the vessel remains submerged out of
sight. The tubes lead through openings in the top of the vessel and their upper
ends are attached to a mast or boom W hinged or otherwise attached to the vessel
so as to be readily raised and lowered. One of the tubes leads off the foul air from
the interior and the other conducts fresh air into the vessel, thus creating a current
of air and thoroughly renewing the atmosphere of the boat. Valves t, 't, are fixed
in the ends of the tubes T, T, to exclude the water, when submerged, but are
opened, by means of valve cords which extend into the vessel, when the tubes are
projected above tho surface of the water.
In going out of the boat the operator enclosed in his armor removes the lower
door or hatch and steps into the water lock; the lower door is then closed by those
in the compartment B and secured against leakage. The upper hatch is then
opened and the operator is at liberty to manage the apparatus on the outside of
the boat.
In returning the operator first shuts himself in the lock by closing the hatch and
then the water is drawn off into one of the ballast compartiments by admitting air
through the vent and starting the pumps, and when the lock is empty the operator
can enter the body of the vessel.
My torpedo 1 is made waterproof and provided with a float portion 2 at one end
so as to compel it to rise in the water after it has been discharged from the boat.
The flont is a piece of cork or analogous material as shown in Figure 4 or an air or
gas chamber as shown in Figure 5. The float portion is coated with some
adhesive material 2ª to cause it to stick to any surface and may be provided with
a magnet 2b as shown in Figure 4 which will cause it to adhere to metal.
The float portion will cause the torpedo to rise through the water when liberated
and lodge against any opposing surface, as the bottom of a vessel, while the
adhesive material or magnet will cause it to stick or cling thereto.
The torpedo may be used with either sort of float shown, and with or without
either the adhesive material or the magnet or with them both. Non-buoyant
torpedoes may be provided with the adhesive material, the magnet or both.
The torpedoes are provided with a bracket 1" (or slots may be substituted
therefor) and are placed in frames 3 at bow and stern of the vessel. Bars 5 pass
through the frames 3 and the brackets 1ª on the torpedoes and hold. them in the
frames. The bars 5 are connected to a pivoted lever 4 nonr the centro of the boat
and operated by the person in the water lock, to simultaneously withdraw both
bars 5 from the torpedoes which will then rise.
The torpedocs are coupled by a chain or cable which is provided with
insulators 6. Electric wires 7 extending from the torpedoes are secured on the
insulators and run back and are coiled round the reel M by which more or less
length may be given them; and thence extend to the battery Z in the boat by
incans of which the torpedoes are exploded.
The torpedoes are set at bow and stern so as to be at a distance apart when they
rise under a ship and thus insure their hitting it.
The vessel and torpedo may be used for blowing up wrecks, and the vessel for
setting blasts, making submarine investigations of any character and for a variety
of purposes besides defence or aggression in warfare.
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
1. In a submarine vessel a water lock having openings to the interior and
exterior of the vessel and means for closing the same, in combination with water
ballast compartment and connection thereto, whereby the water lock may be
emptied of water as set forth.

page_text: 2. In a submarine vessel a water lock J located in the upper part of the vessel
and having hatches or coverings opening out upon the top thereof, whereby a
person in the lock when it is open can stand upright above the top of the vessel.
3. In a submarine vessel or boat a double water lock, the compartments of which
are separate from each other and which can be used separately or together,
substantially as set forth.
4. In a subinarine vessel a water lock located at or near its upper surface and
provided with hatches opening upon said upper surface but which are air and
water tight when closed, the said lock having an air vent connected with the air
chamber of the vessel and means for controlling the same, and a water passage
leading to the water ballast compartment underneath the vessel, substantially as
set forth.
5. In a submarine vessel the combination with the water lock located at or near
its upper surface and means for entering, opening, closing, and emptying the same,
of an air supply pipe as L' connected to the interior of the vessel at one end and to
the armor of the operator at the other, as set forth.
6. In a submarine vessel a water lock compartment J located in the upper
portion of the vessel's body having openings upward upon the top of the vessel
controlled by removable cover J, a water discharge pipe m connecting it with a
water receiving compartment in the vessel, an air vent p and coupling K for
connecting the air tube within the lock with an air supply apparatus in the vessel.
7. The combination with the body or vessel A of the air conducting tubes T, T,
capable of being raised and lowered, having their upper ends controlled by valves
to keep the water out and admit the air, and the hinged mast W to which the
tubes are attached, and with which they are raised and lowered, substantially as
set forth.
8. The herein described vessel consisting of the hull A having water lock J,
water ballast compartments D, E, E, inlet and discharge tubes g, g, h, water
tanks connected to water ballast compartments, propelling engine C, pro-
pellers F, G, and suitablo motors for driving them, the indicator R, the air
conducting tubes T, T, on the outside and means for raising and lowering them,
and an air pump, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of a buoyant torpedo or torpedoes provided with a holding
means as 1º, of the frames at bow and stern of the boat, bars engaging the
torpedoes and connected to a compound lever near the centre of the boat, as set
forth.
10. A pair of torpedoes connected by a chain or cable and provided with an
electric wire secured upon insulators on the chain and wound upon a reel fixed on
the boat, and connecting said torpedoes to an electric battery, as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of January 1885