Improvements in the Construction of Ships.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1891--Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships.
I, ALBERT FOERSTE of 33 Princes Strasse, Berlin, S., Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of the present invention is to give such a shape to the hulls of men-
of-war or trading-vessels that great velocity can be obtained on a very shallow
draught. Frictional resistance is diminished and the re-application of paddle-
wheels permitted which are so powerful in propelling, because as afterwards
described the waves cannot lift them above the surface of the water, and, at the
same time, they are sufficiently protected against projectiles and the shock of the
waves.
This invention has also for its object to permit of the use of strong armour-plates
for the vessel without the draught being considerably increased, and also to prevent
the sudden sinking or capsizing of the vessel.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings whereon:-
Fig. I. shows a vessel of the improved construction in side elevation.
Fig. II. is a bottom view.
Fig. III. is a deck view or plan.
Fig. IV. is a view looking at the bow.
Fig. V. is a section through line -¹ of Fig. III.
Referring to the drawing whereon the same reference letters wherever repeated
indicate similar or like parts.
The vessel consists of the hull A, A' which differs from the usual shape in so far
that it is made tapering towards the stern and that part of it which is under the
surface of the water is of the slenderest construction so as to give a slight draught
and great velocity. At both sides of the hull and firmly connected with it above
the surface of the water, but separated therefrom by doors are air-boxes C, C',
which extend from the base of the stem to the stern, and are, so far off the hull that
passages or channels B, B₁ are formed for allowing the water to pass through when
the ship is being propelled. The air-boxes on both sides of the vessel are arranged
in such a way, that the channels B, B' are narrower at the bow than at the stern
so that the resistance of the water and consequently the friction is lessened and
that the air-boxes C, C', may have no interfering influence on the velocity of the
vessel.
These air-boxes C, C', are also specially designed to render the capsizing of the
vessel an impossiblity and to protect the paddle-wheels from projectiles when
propelling during an engagement if the vessel is a man-of-war or if the vessel
strikes against any firm object. Besides, as the waves do not strike the hull
directly in the channels B, B', the water in these channels will be comparatively
calm and the paddle-wheels will remain in constant contact with the water which
again favourably influences the velocity of the vessel.
The current of water issuing from the channels B, B', increases the movableness
of the vessel in consequence of its action on the rudder so that it is easier to turn
the ship.
In the above description the inventor has spoken merely of vessels propelled by
paddle-wheels but the same construction can with equal advantage be applied on
screw-vessels (see S Fig. II).
The advantages of the present invention are in short :-
Lat Small who of the shin

page_text: 3rd. Greater use of time.
4th. That smaller engines might be used, in consequence of the above named
advantages, to produce the same velocity as with large engines and as a result of
course the consumption of coal will be decreased.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
A ship having a body A A¹, tapering towards the stern and to which is fitted on
each side parallel air-boxes C, C, between which and the body, channels B, B1
are left through which the water flows and in which works, uninfluenced by waves
and in constant contact with the water, the paddle-wheels R, R', (or screw S)
substantially as hereinbefore described & shown on the annexed drawings.
H. D. FITZPATRICK.
Per Wm. Fleming,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.