IMPROVEMENTS IN NAVIGABLE VESSELS TO BE EMPLOYED IN ALL WATERS, AND TO BE PROPELLED OR IMPELLED _ BY SAILS, STEAM POWER, OR OTHER MEANS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, of 16,
Castle Street, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAVIGABLE VESSELS
TO BE EMPLOYED IN ALL WATERS, AND TO BE PROPELLED OR IMPELLED
_ BY SAILS, STEAM POWER, OR OTHER MEANS." -A communication.
Sealed the 21st November 1853, and dated the 21st May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Edouard
Loradoux Bellford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 21st May 1853.
I, AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of the United Patent
Offices, 16, Castle Street, Holborn, Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN NAVIGABLE VESSELS
TO BE EMPLOYED ON ALL WATERS, AND TO BE PROPELLED OR IMPELLED BY
SAILS, STEAM POWER, OR OTHER MEANS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing navigable vessels of one or
more hollow cylinders, or other circular floats, placed in or upon the
water with their axes horizontal, of sufficient size and buoyancy to

page_text: carry the required burden, without causing the submersion of any very
considerable portion of their diameter, say, not more than one eighth
(th). The burden (and also the motive power, if the vessel is to be
propelled by power carried by itself,) is to be supported upon a framing,
carriage, or platform outside or within the cylinder or cylinders; the
said carriage, framing, or platform resting and running on suitable
tracks in such a way as to remain stationary while the cylinder or
cylinders revolve. Each cylinder has paddles, similar to those of the
common paddle wheel, attached to its outer periphery. If the vessel
is to be impelled by sails, they are applied to the carriage, framing, or
platform, and the wind acting upon them impels the vessel forward; the
cylinder or cylinders being caused to revolve and roll over or upon the
water, like wheels, by the resistance offered to the floats by the water;
but if steam or other motive power is employed for propulsion, rotary
motion is given to the cylinder or cylinders, and the resistance offered
to the floats causes them to roll over the water. Fig. 1, in the accom-
panying Drawing is a side view of a vessel composed of a single
cylindrical float intended for a steam vessel, and to carry the motive
power and burden inside the cylinder or float.
Fig. 2, is a section of the same in a plane at right angles to the
axis of the cylinder. Fig. 3, is a section of the same through the axis.
Fig. 4, is a plan or top view. Similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in each of the above Figures. A, is the float,
which may be of wood or iron, and has a circular opening a, in the
centre of each side or end, of about () one third of the diameter.
x, y, is the average water line. B, B, are. the paddles, which are
secured to the periphery of the cylindrical float by any suitable means.
and strengthened by a flange C, encircling the float. D, D, are tracks
around the inner periphery of the float. E, is a carriage supported on
three pairs of wheels F, b, b, whose peripheries are fitted to the tracks
D, D. G, G, are cross timbers resting on the carriage E, and passing
out through the openings a, a, in the sides of the float, supporting the
sides of a strong frame H, which surrounds the float. I, is a platform
resting on the carriage E, within the float, and reaching almost close to
the inner surface of the float at all points. J, is the rudder, nearly re-

page_text: sembling a bent oar, attached to the stern end of the frame H, and
floating with the blade edge upwards; this is made to act upon the vessel
by suitable tackle, which will draw it in either direction out of line with
the centre of the vessel. The engine or motive power to give revo-
lution to the float A, is attached to the carriage E, and is intended to
give revolution to the driving shaft K, to which the wheels F, F, are
secured. The wheels F, F, give revolution to the float, in the same
direction as they themselves revolve, by means of their friction on the
tracks D, D, and thus propel it or cause it to roll over the surface of
the water. The float is intended to be of such diameter that the
lower parts of the openings a, a, will be above the reach of the hea-
viest seas, and the openings are intended to be of sufficient size to
ventilate the whole of the interior, which may contain cabin accommo
dation and freight. If sufficient light cannot be admitted at a, a, glass
lights may be placed in other parts of the float.. By keeping the
machinery low down room for more than one deck may be obtained.
The frame H, may be extended to any size, and decked, and must be
well balanced to maintain its horizontal position.. Fig. 5, is a side
view of a vessel composed of two cylindrical floats, supporting a
carriage above them, on which the motive power, and suitable houses
or receptacles for passengers, freight, fuel, and stores, are placed.
Fig. 6, is a plan or top view of the same. Similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in each of these Figures. A, A, are the
cylindrical floats, which are similar to the cylinders before described,
except that their ends or sides are entirely closed, and instead of having
tracks inside they are outside. The tracks D, D, are placed on the
flanges C, C. The carriage L, is mounted upon three pairs of
wheels M, N, N, which are grooved or fitted to the tracks. The pair
of wheels M, M, are so placed as to bear upon the tracks of both floats,
and, if the vessel is to be propelled by steam or other motive power
carried on board, will constitute the driving wheels; the power being
applied to revolve their axle O, which is the driving shaft, they will by
reason of their friction on the tracks cause the floats A, A, both to
revolve in the same direction. All the wheels are arranged in the

page_text: manner best adapted to keep the floats in their proper relative positions,
but in order to ensure the infallible attainment of this result each
float is furnished with a short journal c, at each end of its axis, fitting
to a suitable journal box in the framing of the carriage L. Sails may
be applied to either of the above-described forms of vessel, the arrange-
ment of of such sails being such as may be considered best; they may be
used independently of or in connection with steam or other motive
power carried on board. The two vessels shown in the Drawing, and
described, exhibit the two principal modifications of which the principle
on which the Invention is founded (viz., the vessel rolling over instead
of passing directly through the water,) is susceptible; but it may be
further modified; for instance: 1st. When two floats are used support-
ing a carriage, as shown in Fig 5 & 6, they may be open at the
sides, and have carriages and platforms inside, as shown in Fig 1,
2, 3, 4, and in such case the cargo might be carried within the floats,
and the carriage L, might be used exclusively for passenger accommo-
dation. 2nd. More than two floats may be used, if under any circum-
stances it may be desirable. 3rd. When two or more floats are used it
is not absolutely necessary that the power be applied to more than one,
as that to which no power is applied will roll easily on the water.
It is not the intention to confine the application of this Invention to
any number of floats, nor to any particular arrangement of any of the
parts of the vessel, nor to any mode of applying power to give revolu-
tion to the floats. But what is claimed as new, and forms the subject of
this Invention, is,-A vessel for purposes of navigation composed of one
or more hollow cylinders or other circular floats A, A, furnished it's
or their outer periphery or peripheries with paddles B, B, and floating
partly submerged in the water; the said float or floats carrying the
burden, upon one or more suitable frames, carriages, or platforms, sup-
ported on suitable ways or tracks within or without; the said vessel
being impelled or propelled by sail, or by any motive power carried by

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford in the
Great Seal Patent Office, on the 21st November 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 16, Castle Street, Holborn,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her. heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
Her special licence that I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux
Bellford, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention, communicated to
me by a foreigner residing abroad, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN NAVIGABLE
VESSELS TO BE EMPLOYED IN ALL WATERS, AND TO BE PROPELLED OR
IMPELLED BY SAILS, STEAM POWER, OR OTHER MEANS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particu-
larly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux
Bellford, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly

page_text: described and ascertained in and by the following statement (that is
to say):
This Invention consists in constructing navigable vessels of one or
more hollow cylinders, or other circular floats, placed in or upon the
water with their axes horizontal, of sufficient size and buoyancy to carry
the required burden without causing the submersion of any very con-
siderable portion of their diameter, say, not more than one eighth (3).
The burden (and also the motive power, if the vessel is to be propelled
by power carried by itself,) is to be supported upon a framing, carriage,
or platform outside or within the cylinder or cylinders; the said
carriage, framing, or platform resting and running on suitable tracks
in such a way as to remain stationary while the cylinder or cylinders
revolve. Each cylinder has paddles, similar to those of the common
paddle wheel, attached to its outer periphery. If the vessel is to be
impelled by sails, they are applied to the carriage, framing, or platform,
and the wind acting upon them impels the vessel onward; the cylinder
or cylinders being caused to revolve and roll over or upon the water,
like wheels, by the resistance offered to the floats by the water; but if
steam or other motive power be employed for propulsion, rotary motion
is given to the cylinder or cylinders, and the resistance offered to the
floats causes them to roll over the water. Fig. 1, in the accompanying
Drawing is a side view of a vessel composed of a single cylindrical
float intended for a steam vessel, and to carry the motive power and
burden inside the cylinder or float. Fig. 2, is a section of the same
in a plane at right angles to the axis of the cylinder. Fig. 3, is a
section of the same through the axis. Fig. 4, is a plan or top view.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the
several Figures. A, is the flcat, which may be of wood or ircn, and
has a circular opening d, in the centre of each side or end, of about
one third (3) of the diameter. x, y, is the average water line.
B. B, are the raddles, which are secured to the periphery of the
cylindrical float by any suitable means, and strengthened by a flange C,
encircling the float. D, D, are tracks which run around the inner
periphery of the float. E, is a carriage supported upon three pair of
wheels F, b, b, whose periphery are fitted to the tracks D, D.

page_text: G, G, are cross timbers resting on the carriage E, and passing out
through the openings a, a, in the sides of the float, and supporting the
sides of a strong frame H, which surrounds the float. I, is a large
platform resting upon the carriage E, within the float, and reaching
almost close to the inner surface of the float at all points. J, is the
rudder, nearly resembling a bent oar, attached to the stern end of the
frame H, and floating with the blade edge upwards; this is made to act
upon the vessel by suitable tackle, which will draw it in either direc-
tion out of line with the centre of the vessel. The engine or motive
power to give the revolution to the float A, is attached to the carriage E,
and is intended to give revolution to the driving shaft K, to which
the wheels F, F, are secured. The wheels F, F, give revolution to the
float, in the same direction as they themselves revolve, by means of their
friction on the tracks D, D, and thus propel it or cause it to roll over
the surface of the water. The float is intended to be of such diameter
that the lower parts of the openings a, a, will be above the reach of the
heaviest seas; and the openings are intended to be of sufficient size to
ventilate the whole of the interior, which may contain cabin accommo-
dation and freight. If sufficient light cannot be admitted at a, a,
glass lights may be in other parts of the float. By keeping the machi-
nery low down room for more than one deck may be obtained. The
frame H, may be extended to any size, and decked, and must be well
balanced to preserve its horizontal position. Fig. 5, in the Drawing
is a side view of a vessel composed of two closed cylindrical floats,
supporting a carriage above them, en which the motive power, and
suitable houses or receptacles for passengers, freight, fuel, and stores, are
Similar letters of
placed. Fig. 6, is a plan or top view of the same.
reference indicate corresponding parts in these Fig. A, A, are the cylin-
drical floats, which are similar to the cylinders before described, except
that their ends or sides are entirely closed, and instead of having tracks
inside they are placed outside. The tracks D, D, are placed on the
flanges C, C. The carriage L, is mounted upon three pairs of wheels
M, N, N, which are grooved or fitted to the tracks. The pair of wheels
M, M, are so placed as to bear upon the tracks of both floats, and, if the

page_text: vessel is to be propelled by steam or other motive power carried on
board, will constitute the driving wheels; the power being applied to
revolve their axle O, which is the driving shaft, they will by reason of
their friction on the tracks cause the floats A, A, both to revolve in
the same direction. All the wheels are arranged in the manner best
adapted to keep the floats in their proper relative positions, but in
order to ensure the infallible attainment of this result each float is
furnished with a short journal c, at each end of its axis, fitting to a
suitable journal box in the framing of the carriage L. Sails may be
applied to either of the foregoing described forms of vessel, the
arrangement of such sails being such as may be thought best; they
may be used independently of or in connexion with steam or other
imotive power carried on board. The two vessels shown in the Draw-
ing, and described, exhibit the two principal modifications of which the
principle on which this Invention is founded (viz., the vessel rolling
over instead of passing directly through the water,) is susceptible; but
it may be further modified; for instance, 1st, when two floats are used
supporting a carriage, as shewn in Figs 5, and 6, they may be open at
the sides, and have carriages and platforms inside, as shewn in Figs. 1,
2, and 3, and 4, and in such case the cargo might be carried within the
floats, and the carriage L, might be used exclusively for passenger
accommodation. 2nd. More than two floats may be used, if under any
circumstances it should be desirable. 3rd. When two or more floats
are used it is not absolutely necessary that the power be applied to
more than one, as those to which no power is applied will roll easily
on the water.
I claim as new,-without confining the application of this Inven-
tion to any number of floats, nor to any particular arrangement of any
of the parts of the vessel, nor to any mode of applying power to give
revolution to the floats,-a vessel for purposes of navigation composed
of one or more hollow cylinders or other circular floats A, A, furnished
on its or their outer periphery or peripheries with paddles B, B, and
floating partly submerged in the water; the said float or floats carrying
the burden upon one or more suitable frames, carriages, or platforms

page_text: supported on suitable ways or tracks within or without; the said vessel
being impelled or propelled by sail, or by any motive power carried by
it, and applied to the float or floats inside or outside, as herein fully set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bell-
ford, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day
of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-three.
A. E. L. BELLFORD. (L.S.)
A. E. L. BELLFORD. (L.S.)