AN IMPROVED LIFE-BOAT AND SIGNAL BUOY
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
LIFE-BOAT AND SIGNAL BUOY." A communication from abroad by David
Greene Haskins, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Doctor
of Divinity, Minister in the Episcopal Church.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engi-
neers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and I, Ruo
Laffitte, Paris. "AN IMPROVED LIFE-BOAT AND SIGNAL BUOY." [A communica-
tion from abroad by David Greene Haskins, of Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Doctor of Divinity, Minister in the Episcopal Church.]
The object of this Invention for an improved life-boat and signal buoy is to pro-
vide an efficient means for preserving life and property in case of shipwreck, and
also a means for giving light and sound in a signal buoy to be anchored at or near
any dangerous places at sea or on the sea coast.
The Invention consists mainly of a floating vessel to be made somewhat of the
form of an inverted balloon, and having a shaft extending vertically through its
centre, down through its bottom, and to a depth of twenty feet, more or less, and
also extending through the top of the vessel. Upon this shaft in the lower part of
the vessel are two bevel gear wheels attached to a sleeve which is caused to slide up
and down on the said shaft, and engage with a gear wheel on a horizontal shaft
that extends out through the side of the vessel, and has attached to its outer end a
screw propeller. The double bevel gear wheel on the vertical shaft is for the pur-
pose of reversing the motion of the propeller. Upon the vertical shaft, below the
bottom of the vessel, are placed horizontal blades or wings so constructed and

page_text: arranged that by the action of the water as the vessel moves up and down in the
water they will always rotate in one and the same direction, and consequently turn
the shaft to which they are attached. The said blades are similar to those for which
I have made a separate application for a Patent, and which has been already allowed
in the United States.
To the bottom of the vessel is attached a cylinder of a diameter sufficiently large
to admit of the free rotation of the blades or wings, and extending downwards to
the end of the shaft, which is enclosed therein, and supported at the end on cross
bars in the end of the cylinder. A weight is attached to the lower end of the
cylinder, so as to maintain the centre of gravity at as low a point as possible, and
ensure the vertical position of the vessel. A fly-wheel is arranged on the shaft,
inside, at the bottom of the boat.
The cylinder is open at the bottom, and practically also at the top, by reason of
openings at the upper end, thus admitting of a free passage of the water up and
down through the cylinder.
The power that actuates the rotating blades or wheels is due to the rising and
falling of the vessel or buoy on the surface waves. The water at sea, as is well
known, at a depth equal to the height of the waves, is practically still, and conse-
quently a column of water enclosed in a vertical cylinder would remain at the mean
surface level, so that if such a cylinder were attached to a float rising and falling with
the surface waves the said cylinder would rise and fall around the enclosed column
of water as upon a fixed piston.
In this Invention the cylinder being closed at the top by the bottom of the boat,
and so not allowing the water to remain at the mean surface level when the boat
sinks in the trough of the waves, the water is necessarily forced out through the
openings at the top of the cylinder, and as the boat again rises to the crest of the
waves the water rushes in again by the same openings, and thus a constant motion
is imparted to the enclosed fan blades and shaft.
The vertical shaft also extends upwards through the top of the vessel, and is
there provided with blades or wings similar to those on the lower part of the shaft,
to be acted upon by the wind, and thus serve as an auxiliary power to act upon the
propeller shaft.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
January 1879.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engi-
neers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue
Laffitte, Paris. "AN IMPROVED LIFE-BOAT AND SIGNAL BUOY." A communica-
tion from abroad by David Greene Haskins, of Boston, Massachusetts, United
States of America, Doctor of Divinity, Minister in the Episcopal Church.
The object of this Invention for an improved life-boat and signal buoy is to pro-
vide an efficient means for preserving life and property in case of shipwreck, and
also a means for giving light and sound in a signal buoy to be anchored at or near
any dangerous places at sea or on the sea coast.
The Invention consists mainly of a floating vessel to be made somewhat of the
form of an inverted balloon, and having a shaft extending vertically through its
centre down through its bottom, and to a depth of twenty feet, more or less, and also
extending through the top of the vessel. Upon this shaft in the lower part of the
vessel are two bevel gear wheels attached to a sleeve which is caused to slide up and
down on the said shaft, and engage with a gear wheel on a horizontal shaft that
extends out through the side of the vessel, and has attached to its outer end a screw
propeller. The double bevel gear wheel on the vertical shaft is for the purpose of
reversing the motion of the propeller. Upon the vertical shaft below the bottom of
the vessel are placed horizontal blades or wings so constructed and arranged that
by the action of the water as the vessel moves up and down in the water. They
will always rotate in one and the same direction, and consequently turn the shaft
to which they are attached.
To the bottom of the vessel is attached a cylinder of a diameter sufficiently large
to admit of the free rotation of the blades or wings, and extending downwards to
the end of the shaft, which is enclosed therein, and supported at the end on cross
bars in the end of the cylinder. A weight is attached to the lower end of the
cylinder, so as to maintain the centre of gravity at as low a point as possible, and
ensure the vertical position of the vessel. A fly wheel is arranged on the shaft,
inside, at the bottom of the boat.
The cylinder is open at the bottom, and practically also at the top, by reason of
openings at the upper end, thus admitting of a free passage of the water up and
down through the cylinder.
The power that actuates the rotating blades or wheels is due to the rising and
falling of the vessel or buoy on the surface waves. The water at sea, as is well known,
at a depth equal to the height of the waves is practically still, and consequently
a column of water enclosed in a vertical cylinder would remain at the mean surface
level, so that if such a cylinder were attached to a float rising and falling with the
surface waves the said cylinder would rise and fall around the enclosed column of
water as upon a fixed piston.
In this Invention the cylinder being closed at the top by the bottom of the boat,
and so not allowing the water to remain at the mean surface level when the boat
sinks in the trough of the waves, the water is necessarily forced out through the
openings at the top of the cylinder, and as the boat again rises to the crest of the
waves the water rushes in again by the same openings, and thus a constant motion
is imparted to the enclosed fan blades and shaft.
The vertical shaft also extends upwards through the top of the vessel, and is there
provided with blades or wings similar to those on the lower part of the shaft to be
acted upon by the wind, and thus serve as an auxiliary power to act upon the
propeller shaft.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a vessel or

page_text: buoy embodying the Invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same; and
Figure 3 represents a modification of the Invention.
A represents the vessel or float of the general shape shown, and constructed of
plates of wrought metal or of wooden staves properly bound and secured together.
B is a cylinder firmly secured to the bottom of the body A, and extending down-
wards some twenty feet, more or less. It is open at the lower end, and at the upper
end is provided with openings b, which may be circular or elongated, as shown in
Figure 2.
D¹, D', represent the keel extending across the bottom of the boat, so as to admit
of steerage, and also serving as a stay to the cylinder B. A rudder H is hung to
the keel as shown, and is connected with steering apparatus inside the boat.
A weight G is attached to the lower end of the cylinder B, to aid in maintaining
the boat in vertical position.
Through the centre of the boat passes! a vertical shaft C, which extends down
through the bottom of the boat, when it is securely packed to a depth of twenty
feet, more or less, being supported at its lower end upon cross bars È in the lower
end of the cylinder. Braces E¹ may be placed within the cylinder to steady the shaft.
Upon the shaft C are secured a series of blades, which are hinged or pivoted to a
rod extending from the shaft, and arranged in such a manner as when acted upon
by a fluid passing in either direction they will rotate in one and the same direction,
the same being such as is described in a separate application for a Patent in the
United States, made by myself. These blades are caused to rotate by the passage
of the water to and fro in the cylinder, as the boat rises and falls by the motion of
the waves, and thus turn the shaft C, by means of which motion is imparted to the
propeller shaft M.
On the shaft C, inside and near the bottom of the boat, is a fly wheel I, and
above the fly wheel are two bevel gear wheels K, K, connected together by a sleeve
on the shaft, so as to enable either the upper or lower gear to engage with a corre-
sponding bevel gear L on the horizontal shaft M that passes through the side of the
boat, and has upon its outer end a screw propeller N, as seen in Figure 2. The
sleeve which connects the bevel gears K, K, is caused to turn with the shaft C, and
is connected to a lever, by which it is thrown into and out of gear with either
bevel wheel, so as to admit of the reversal of the propeller where necessary.
O is the main floor or deck of the cabin of the boat, and around the sides of the
boat are arranged berths P, with seats in front as shown. The space below the floor
is for the storage of provisions, water, &c.
In the sides of the boat are a series of windows R, R, properly protected.
S is an upper floor or deck, to which access is had by means of a ladder or
steps T.
On the outside of the boat, at a level with the upper deck S, is a platform U
extending around the sides of the boat, and protected by a light railing, as shown.
From this platform a ladder V-extends to the water level of the boat.
In the upper portion of the boat is a door or man-hole X.
The extreme upper portion of the boat is to be provided with skylights, as shown
in Figure 1.
The main shaft C₁ extends upwards through the top of the boat, and is provided
with a series of rotating blades which are actuated by the wind, and operate
similarly to those on the lower end of the shaft, serving as auxiliary motors to the
same.
Under some circumstances the cylinder B may be dispensed with, and the blades D
upon the shaft C be exposed to the action of the water without being confined
within the cylinder.
In Figure 3.is represented a modification of the Invention. In this case the boat
is designed for use in shallow water or where it is likely to be landed upon the beach.
The weight G is attached to a chain which passes through a tube extending up into
the boat to a point above the level of the water, and may be drawn up or let down

page_text: by a windlass. The weight may be secured to the chain by a detachable device, so
that it can be dropped off in case of necessity.
Auxiliary vertical shafts c, c, provided with wind blades W, W, may be used for
imparting additional power to the propeller shaft M, if desirable.
In the upper part of the vessel is arranged a rotary electrical apparatus e,
Figure 2, to which motion is imparted by means of an endless band d, passing
around a wheel on the main shaft. A conducting wire extends upwards in a coil,
which may be either inside or outside the lantern top, and passing out terminates
in luminous rotating points g.
Connected with and placed below the electrical apparatus, and separated from it
by a partition of metal, which may or may not be perforated, is a box or chamber
in which heat is to be generated by friction, which is effected by means of metallic
bars attached to a small vertical shaft rotated by connection with the main shaft C¹,
and made to pass in their revolution through fragments of metal or other suitable
material placed in the frictional chamber. The purpose of the friction chamber is
to make the air dry and favourable for the working of the electrical apparatus, and
the latter is designed to furnish a signal light.
It is also intended to connect with the shaft a rotary blower, to be connected
with pipes for supplying the vessel with fresh air and exhausting the foul air.
A rotary pump may also be arranged to be operated by the shaft, for pumping
out water if necessary.
Rotating bars may be arranged to strike a bell or gong as a sound signal.
As a further means for providing for the ventilation of the vessel I propose to
arrange tubes or pipes which enter the vessel near the upper part, and extending
downwards on the outside a little below the level of the water, and provided with
perforations for the admission of air, so that by the rising and falling of the vessel
air will be drawn in and out.
The swinging blades by which motion is imparted to the shaft are shown in
Figure 4.
The wings or blades d¹, d¹, consist of sectoral plates of metal or other substance
attached or hinged to rods c' extending at right angles from the shaft, so that upon
whichever surface the water or fluid impinges the wings will always rotate in one
and the same direction.
The outer ends of the axial rods c' may be attached to a ring or wheel h, so as to
ensure a secure bearing to blades d³.
The wings or blades d' are designed to be limited in their inclination at either side
to an angle of 45°, more or less, with the plane of the axial rods c¹.
The axes of the wings or blades may be set at any desired angle with the shaft
of the motor, and the blades may be provided with a regulator conveniently placed
and easily adjusted to change the angle of their exposure to the water or other fluid,
which arrangement, in case the motor is used as a screw propeller, would facilitate
the stopping or reversing its action.
Figure 5 is a modification of the cylinder shown in Figure 2. Instead of a con-
tinuous cylinder a series of double conically-shaped casings are employed, within
which are arranged the rotating sectoral blades shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a modified form of the method of arranging the sectoral swinging
blades.
1, 1, represent a series of swinging blades hinged at 3, 3, to bars 5, 5, which con-
nect the outer rim 2 with the inner rim 4. The play of the swinging blades is
limited by a groove on the inner rim. The inner edge of the inner rim is provided
with teeth, and within the inner rim are arranged four small wheels 8, 8, which
engage with the teeth of the inner rim, as shown. These wheels are each to be
provided with swinging blades similar to those in the large wheel 2. Each of the
small wheels rotate upon short shafts, which are held in place by means of bars or
rods 6, 6, attached to an outer casing. The small wheels are designed to be used to
increase the speed and power of the large wheel.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,

page_text: -
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,-
First. A boat or vessel provided with a propeller to which motion is imparted by
means of a shaft having a series of rotating hinged blades or wings d¹, d, actuated
by the force of the water as the boat rises and falls with the waves, as set forth.
Second. The combination with a boat or vessel A of a vertical shaft C extending
below the boat, and provided with rotating hinged blades, as and for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination with the boat or vessel A of the shaft. C and cylinder B,
as described.
Fourth. The combination with a vessel or boat A of a vertical shaft or shafts
extending through the top of the vessel, and provided with rotating hinged blades
to be actuated by the wind, as set forth.
Fifth. The combination with a buoy-shaped vessel A of a keel D' and rudder H,
as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination with the vessel A. of an electrical apparatus e, actuated
by the rotating shaft C, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. A fluid motor consisting of a series of swinging plates or blades con-
nected with a shaft, and operating in such a manner that as the fluid acts upon
either side or face of the said swinging plates, their rotation will always be in one
and the same direction, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the hinged or swinging plates of means for limiting
the degree of inclination of the said plates, as and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. The combination of the hinged or swinging plates d', d¹, the shaft c, and
the rim or wheel h, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)
i