IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS, AND IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Barclay Ury Henarky John Duncan, of 58,
Friday Street, Leicester, in the County of Leicester, Shipbuilder, for the
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS, AND IN
APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA."
Sealed the 18th April 1879, and dated the 31st October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Barclay Ury Henarky
John Duncan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st
October 1878.
.
65
ROBERT BARCLAY URY HENARKY JOHN DUNCAN, of 58, Friday Street, Leicester,
in the County of Leicester, Shipbuilder. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF SHIPS, AND IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR SAVING LIFE AT
SEA."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of ships and
in apparatus in connection therewith for saving life at sea.
In order to provide floating life preservers available on any emergency at sea I
construct the bulwarks of ships with buoyant panels securely fixed 'between the
stanchions and top rail, but in such a manner that at any time when required for
use they can at once be liberated by the withdrawal of suitable bolts.
1
The panels consist of frames filled in with metal tubes or with cork or buoyant
material, and they are boarded over so that when in place they form a close bulwark
and when in the water a life preserver or raft. These panels are capable of being
used separately, each to support a small number of persons, or being connected
together to form a larger raft capable of carrying or supporting a large number of.
persons.
"
Similar panels may also be employed fitted between uprights to form deck houses
and other structures on shinhboard and they may also be arranged as 'sents and

page_text: gratings. In each case they are provided with fastenings, which, whilst they
serve to retain them securely until the emergency arises, can be immediately
undone.
In some cases where close bulwarks are not required I omit the boarding and
substitute network.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Barclay Ury Henarky John Duncan in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th April 1879.
ROBERT BARCLAY URY HENARKY JOHN DUNCAN, of 58, Friday Street, Leicester,
in the County of Leicester, Shipbuilder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF SHIPS, AND IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH FOR SAVING LIFE AT
SEA."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of ships, and
in apparatus in connection therewith for saving life at sea.
In order to provide floating life preservers available on any emergency at sea I
construct the bulwarks of ships with buoyant panels securely fixed between the
stanchions and top rail, but in such a manner that at any time when required for
use they can at once be liberated by the withdrawal of suitable bolts.
The panels consist of frames filled in with metal tubes or with cork or buoyant
materal, and they are boarded over so that when in place they form a close bulwark
and when in the water a life preserver or raft. These panels aro capable of being
used separately, each to support a small number of persons, or being connected
..together to form a larger raft capable of carrying or supporting a large number of.
persons.
Similar panels may also be employed, fitted between uprights to form deck
houses and other structures on shipboard. In each case they are provided with
fastenings which, whilst they serve to retain them securely until the emergency
arises, can be immediately undone.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried'
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
The Drawing is an elevation, partly in section, of the inner side of the bulwark
of a merchant vessel

page_text: The bolts are controlled by rods which may be continued for any length along
the vessel's side, so that by one movement of a lever any number of panels may be
detached. The panels may also be detached singly. The under side of the frame
of each panel is bevilled in such manner that when the bolts are withdrawn the
panels fall immediately into the water, and are immediately available as life-saving
apparatus.
Where panels such as described are employed in the construction of deck
houses and other structures on board ship they are secured between stanchions by
fastenings like those made use of in connection with the bulwarks, and which can
on an emergency be readily withdrawn.
What I claim is, the construction of the bulwarks and other parts of ships with
buoyant panels held between stanchions by fastenings, which on an emergency can
be readily withdrawn, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Barclay Ury Henarky John Duncan,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 29th day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
BORT B. DUNCAN.
(LA)