Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Ships and other Floating Vessels.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Ships and other
Floating Vessels.
I, ALFRED EMMANUEL LOUIS LÉON LÉVEQUE, of 4, Boulevard de la République,
Versailles, in the Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of ships and other
floating vessels, consisting essentially of the arrangement of vertical and hori-
zontal longitudinal water tight partitions in the interior of these ships or vessels
extending along the whole of their interior length and passing round the front
or bow and also round the back or stern part, and of compressing air in the spaces
thus formed between these partitions and the hull.
These partitions are arranged only in the immersed part of the vessels, that
is to say, below the water line, and the main-pressure of the compressed air does
not exceed two atmospheres, that is to say, one atmosphere above atmospherical
pressure.
The compressed air is provided by air compressors operated either by the
driving engines or motors of the vessels, or by a special engine or motor.
It is evident that when the hull of the vessel is perforated at any immersed
place, either by a reef, by a shock of a ram, or even by the explosion of a torpedo,
water will not penetrate into the spaces as long as they are filled with compressed
air there will be no fear of the vessel sinking.
The distance of the partitions from the hull is variable and depends upon the
power of the compressors, which are to be used as well as the construction of
each vessel. It is evidently of advantage to place them as far as possible from the
hull in order to avoid damage being done to them by the explosion of a torpedo
or the shock of a ram, or through other cause.
Steam vessels of recent construction have a water ballast or water chamber
formed between the two walls of a double bottom of the vessel. For these vessels
the partitions are formed on the false bottom of the vessel, that is to say, on
the upper wall of the water ballast compartments.
If a ship has no water ballast compartments a double. bottom can be provided,
the space so formed may be divided by partitions and filled with compressed air.
The under part of the vessel would then be protected in the same manner as its
sides, bow, and stern or back part.
This invention comprises thus two slightly different constructions, one being
the combination of compressed air chambers arranged in vessels having water
ballast compartments, and the other the combination of compressed air chambers
arranged in vessels having a double bottom also provided with compartments
to be filled with compressed air.
Suitable valves or the like may be provided on the doors or other parts of the

page_text: compressed air compartments in order to allow the operation of the compressed
air when inspecting the hull or when making any repairs that may be required.
Dated this 29th day of March 1898.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London.
Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Ships and other
Floating Vessels.
I, ALFRED EMMANUEL LOUIS LÉON LÉVEQUE, of 4, Boulevard de la Republique,
Versailles, in the Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of ships and other
floating vessels, such as barges pontoons and the like. consisting essentially in
the arrangement of vertical and horizontal longitudinal water tight partitions
in the interior of such ships or vessels extending along the whole of their interior
length and passing round inside the front or bow and also round inside the back
or stern part and in providing means for compressing air in the spaces thus formed
between these partitions and the hull. From each water tight compartment there
passes upwards a tube ending below in this compartment and ending above on the
deck. Generally these tubes are closed at their upper ends.
These longitudinal partitions are arranged only in the immersed part of the
vessel, that is to say, "below the water line and the mean pressure of the com-
pressed air does not exceed two atmospheres, that is to say, one atmosphere above
atmospheric pressure.
The compressed air is provided by air compressors operated either by the
driving engines or motors of the vessels or by a special engine or motor.
It is evident that when the hull of the vessel is perforated at any immersed
place and if the hole is not considerable or also if there is a simple loosening of
the plates, it is sufficient in order to prevent water from entering during some
time, to put all the compressors into motion all driving air into the perforated
compartment in order to constantly maintain the pressure of about two atmos-
pheres in this compartment in spite of the escape of air therefrom.
By means of an air-lock which is adapted at the desired moment to a door
of the injured compartment persons can then enter this compartment and pro-
ceed immediately with provisional repairs and thus prevent the vessel from
sinking.
In vessels of recent construction having water ballast or water chambers placed
in a double bottom, the longitudinal water tight partitions will rest on the false
bottom of the vessel, that is to say, on the lower deck above the water ballast.
In the case where the vessel has no water ballast a double bottom is provided and
air is compressed between the two bottoms as in other compartments, the longi-
tudinal partitions would also rest on the false bottom.
In the annexed drawing I have shown in transverse section the application of
my invention to a vessel provided with water ballast.
"The longitudinal water tight partitions a extend down to the upper wall of
the water ballast chamber. Two long passages c and d are thus formed which
pass round the whole vessel and which are interrupted by transversal partitions.
In these water tight rooms there is maintained an air pressure of two atmospheres
and each time on passing a dangerous place or after a shock the compressors

page_text: are put into motion examination is rapidly made if there is a hole and at what
place.
For small openings the air pressure is maintained to prevent the water from
entering and repairs are proceeded with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. A vessel having longitudinal water tight partitions passing round the vessel
and forming therein longitudinal water tight compartments with air compressors
placed stationarily on the ship and connected with the water tight compartments
by pipes for the purpose of preventing during a certain time water from entering
after a collision or leak or to allow its expulsion when the water has entered sub-
stantially as described.
2. A vessel as in Claim 1 with longitudinal water tight partitions passing round
it and forming water tight compartments connected to air compressors in com-
bination with a double bottom filled with water or water ballast so that the
longitudinal partitions extend down to the false bottom substantially as described
and represented in the drawing.
3. An improved vessel as in Claim 1 with longitudinal water tight partitions
passing round the vessel and forming longitudinal water tight compartments
connected with air compressors in combination with a double water tight bottom
connected also to the air compressors, the longitudinal partitions extending down
to the false bottom substantially as described.
535
1000
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London.