IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO SHIPS AND VESSELS FOR LESSENING THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ebenezer John Robertson, of Ipswich, in the County of
Suffolk, Shipbuilder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE
TO SHIPS AND VESSELS FOR LESSENING THE EFFECTS OF COLLISION."
Sealed the 13th May 1879, and dated the 22nd January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ebenezer John Robertson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1879.
EBENEZER JOHN ROBERTSON, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, Shipbuilder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO SHIPS AND VESSELS FOR LESSENING THE
EFFECTS OF COLLISION."
This Invention consists in the construction and application to the top sides of
steam ships and other vessels of steel or iron wire belting for strengthening the said
vessels against the effects of collision.
In carrying out my Invention, I take two, three or more layers of wire rope or
band formed of plaited wire rope placed and secured close together so as to form a
belt, and covered or not with canvas, coir, matting or otherwise. One end of this
belting is secured to strong plates or eye bolts properly rivetted or otherwise
fastened to the stem of the vessel, a bolt passing through the said plates or eye
bolts and through the eye made in the wire or through shoes secured to the same.
The belting runs the whole length of each side of the vessel, and is secured to
strong plates fastened to a strong part of. the frame work of the vessel under the
quarters with a strong lanyard, shackles or screws, and hung up at the sides at
suitable distances so as to form a sheer line or moulding. This arrangement will
add greatly to the strength of the sides of the vessel, and will tend to resist the
blow in case of collision without greatly adding to the weight of the top sides of the
vessel, and at the same time is inexpensive. Further, by strengthening ships, more
especially those carrying passengers, by my improvements would prevent vessels
being cut down so deep as now frequently happens, and would give longer time for
saving life and property; the improvements being placed the whole length of each
side of the vessel, would provide a long pull and a given resistance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ebenezer John Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th July 1879.
EBENEZER JOHN ROBERTSON, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, Shipbuilder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO SHIPS AND VESSELS FOR LESSENING THE
EFFECTS OF COLLISION."
This Invention consists in the construction and application to the sides of steam
ships and other vessels of steel or iron wire rope or belting, for the purpose of
strengthening the said vessels against the effects of collision or shock or the impact
of shot.
In carrying out my Invention, I take two, three, or more layers of wire rope, or
of band or bands formed of plaited wire rope placed and secured close together so
as to form a belt, and covered or not with canvas, coir, matting, or otherwise. One
end of this belting is suitably secured to strong plates or eye bolts properly rivetted
or otherwise fastened to the stem of the vessel, a bolt passing through the said
plates or eye bolts and through the eye made in the wire or belt, or through shoes
secured to the same. The said belting runs the whole length of each side of the
vessel, and is secured to strong plates fastened to a strong part of the frame work
of the vessel under the quarters with a strong lanyard, shackles, or screws, and hung
up at the sides at suitable distances so as to form a fair sheer line. This arrange-
ment will add greatly to the strength of the sides of the vessel, and will tend to
resist the blow in case of collision or the impact of shot without greatly adding to
the weight of the sides of the vessel, and at the same time is inexpensive. Further,
by thus strengthening ships (more especially those carrying passengers) by my im-
provements would prevent vessels being cut down so deep as now frequently
happens, and would give longer time for saving life and property. The improve-
ments being placed the whole length of each side of the vessel, would provide a
long pull and a given resistance.
My Invention is also specially applicable for vessels of war, as by covering the
sides of such vessels with belting, such as herein before described, in place of the ordinary
plates, the cost of construction of the vessels would be greatly lessened, both from
the economy of material and labour; and further the weight of the material being
less for a given resistance, the buoyancy of the vessels would be increased, and
vessels so armoured or protected would be better able to resist the effects of raming
or of shot. The armour may be covered or coated in any suitable manner to form
a smooth surface; or it may be covered with a suitable outer skin.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, what I claim is,—
The improvements in or applicable to ships and vessels for lessening the effects
of collision, as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ebenezer John Robertson, have hereto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
Ono thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
AVD
MD
J. ROBERTSON. (L.S.)