IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE BULWARKS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Grey of 3 Sutherland Terrace Dowanhill
Glasgow Master Mariner, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
RELATING TO THE BULWARKS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Grey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1883.
"
CHARLES GREY of 3 Sunderland [Sutherland] Terrace Dowanhill Glasgo
Master Mariner,-" IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE BULWARKS OF SHIPS
OR VESSELS"
This Invention has for its object improvements in or relating to the bulwarks of
ships or vessels.
The safety of ships or vessels is often imperiled by heavy seas breaking on
board. To lessen this risk I provide storm netting to be fixed when required over
the ordinary bulwarks upon stanchions or supports provided for the purpose. Thus
the bulwarks is very considerably increased. Double netting may be employed
with a space between the two surfaces. The storm netting has the effect of
breaking all the heavy water and allows little but spray to reach the deck.
When not required the storm netting can be removed and stowed away.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Grey in the Patent Office on the 27th March 1884.
CHARLES GREY of 3 Sunderland Terrace Dowanhill Glasgow Master Mariner
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE BULWARKS OF SHIPS OR VESSELS
""
This Invention has for its object improvements in or relating to the bulwarks of t
ships or vessels.
The safety of ships or vessels is often imperilled by heavy seas breaking on
board. To lessen this risk I provide storm netting to be fixed when required
over the ordinary bulwarks upon stanchions or supports provided for the
purpose.
Thus the bulwarks is very considerably increased. Double netting may be
employed with a space between the two surfaces. The storm netting has the
effect of breaking all the heavy water and allows little but spray to reach the
deck.
When not required the storm netting can be removed and stowed away.
The annexed Drawing represents the application of my invention to ships of
three principal types, to the protection of which it is especially applicable.
Figure 1 shows a vessel with fore and after well and the netting by which these
wells are protected is marked a. a; it is applied as will be seen above the ordinary
bulwarks. Figure 2 shows a vessel with a long full poop and the netting a,
is applied over the bulwarks to protect the part intervening between the Fore-
castle and the poop.
Figure 3 shows a vessel with a long raised quarter deck and here in like manner
the netting is applied over the bulwarks to protect the portion of the ship between
the forecastle and the quarter deck.
The netting can be fitted immediately the ship proceeds to sea and in no way
interferes with her proper and effective working and affords an additional safeguard
in keeping anything from washing overboard. The netting should be substantial
coir manilla or hemp netting manufactured in the lengths and widths required for
the different types of vessel to be fitted, secured to a wire rope (on the upper edge)
and to temporary iron stanchions fitted on the deck and to the bulwarks as shewn
in the Drawing.
. On entering port the netting and temporary stanchions can be unshipped and
stowed away in any convenient place in the ship until again required.
Hitherto many ingenious devices have been resorted to for the protection of ships
in gales of wind accompanied by high seas and to prevent the flooding of the deck
by heavy water, accumulating thereon to the peril of the crew, the ship and the
cargo,
Oil also has been tried
Floating drogues and anchors have been adopted.
successfully to smooth the surface of the sea and fishermans nets are well known
to have a powerful influence in shielding the boat to leeward of them but all these
But in the
contrivances have to be thrown overboard before they become of use.
case of this invention, the protective appliance is carried upon the ship and affords
a constant protection.
What I claim as my improvements in or relating to the bulwarks of ships or
vessels is, the application of netting thereto, in such manner as to afford a partial

page_text: protection against the entrance of water over the bulwarks especially in those
parts of the ship or vessel where the bulwarks are low substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Grey have hereunto set my hand and seal
this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.