IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- AND ARRANGEMENT OF DECKED VESSELS, MORE ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR CARRYING TIMBER AND COTTON, AND IN THE ARRANGE- MENTS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING THE SAME.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Foxton Craggs, of Middlesbro', in the County of
York, Shipbuilder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
AND ARRANGEMENT OF DECKED VESSELS, MORE ESPECIALLY
APPLICABLE FOR CARRYING TIMBER AND COTTON, AND IN THE ARRANGE-
MENTS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING THE SAME.
STRUCTION
Sealed the 7th May 1878, and dated the 7th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Foxton Craggs at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th November 1877.
HENRY FOXTON CRAGGS, of Middlesbro', in the County of York, Shipbuilder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF DECKED VESSELS,
MORE ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR CARRYING TIMBER AND COTTON, AND IN THE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING THE SAME.'
"
In vessels carrying these cargoes as usually constructed it is necessary to carry a
large amount of expensive ballast on the return voyage; or if water ballast be used,
that space is, when empty, entirely useless for cargo space.
Again, the hold beams greatly interfere with the loading and carrying facilities.
Now my Invention is designed to obviate both these defects. It consists,-
First. In arranging a longitudinal and preferably rectangular chamber imme-
diately over the keel, and extending fore and aft nearly to the ends, forming a
tunnel. This tunnel is provided with one or more hatchways in the centre or
water-tight doors at each end, or both arrangements of access. It can be used either
as a water ballast chamber or for the stowage of cargo.
Secondly. I do away with hold beams altogether and place one or more strong
longitudinal girders or stringer plates along each side, which like the water chamber
are well stiffened by gusset plates at intervals, preferably corresponding to the
usual lengths of deals so as to interfere as little as possible with the cargo,

page_text: Thirdly. I arrange holes in the deck, at intervals, and place guide sheaves or
pulleys in the same, so as to work the cargo direct from the steam winch instead of
placing winches below. These holes will be enclosed in metal castings carrying the
On the steam
pulley, with provision for making it water-tight when not in use.
winch I place a pump capable of being thrown in and out of gear.
This pump can
be arranged with pipes to pump the ship out or to clear the ballast tank, as
desired.
In the case of cotton and similar goods, provision is made by filling up between
the floors to allow the whole cargo space to be used for cargo, thus doing away
with the necessity of any ballast.
May 1878.
HENRY FOXTON CRAGGS, of Middlesbro', in the County of York, Shipbuilder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF DECKED VESSELS,
MORE ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR CARRYING TIMBER AND COTTON, AND IN THE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING THE SAME."
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section of vessel.
Fig. 2, deck plan.
Fig. 3, midship section.
Fig. 4, view of double guide pulleys for working cargo.
In vessels carrying cotton, timber, and other similar cargoes as usually con-
structed it is necessary to carry a large amount of expensive ballast on the out-
ward voyage, and sufficient to make ship sea-worthy with such cargoes on home-
ward voyage, thus causing much expense and lost time in taking in and discharging
such ballasting; or if water ballast be used, that space is when empty quite useless
for cargo purposes.
Again, the hold beams greatly interfere with the loading and reduce very
materially the cargo space. Now my Invention is designed to remedy these defects.
It consists,-
First. In arranging a longitudinal chamber or tank A immediately over the keel
and extending fore and aft as far as may be necessary, forming a tunnel. I generally
construct this tuunel with the sides sloping and slightly arched at the top. The
bottom of the vessel usually forms the bottom of the tank or tunnel. It is pro-
vided with a flat roof or top, and is usually constructed of plates overlapping each
other and strengthened by angle iron frames and gusset plates. This tunnel is
provided with one or more water-tight hatchways B, B, B, in the centre, and one or
more water-tight bulkheads fitted with sluice valves and a water-tight door at each
end if required for log timber. It can be used either as a water ballast chamber or
2

page_text: for the stowage of cargo, or part cargo and part water ballast, pumps and valves
being connected for discharging the water. The roof of the tank is below the
ballast water line of ship, so that the tank fills itself by means of a stop-cock
suitably placed..
Secondly. I do away with hold beams altogether, and place one or more strong
longitudinal girders or stringer plates C along each side, which like the water
chamber are well stiffened by gusset plates at intervals, preferably corresponding to
the usual lengths of deals so as to interfere as little as possible with the stowage.
Thirdly. I arrange holes D, D, in the deck at intervals, and place guide sheaves or
pulleys, double, as shewn in Fig. 4, E¹ (or single E) in the same, so as to work the
cargo either forward or aft direct from the steam winch instead of placing winches
below. These holes will be enclosed in metal castings carrying the pulleys with
provision for making them water-tight when not in use. To the steam winch I
connect a pump capable of being thrown in and out of gear. This pump can be
arranged with pipes to pump the ship out or to clear the ballast tank, as desired. I
construct the ship on such lines that by filling up between the floors with a certain
weight of cement or other suitable heavy material the whole cargo space may be
utilized when loaded with cotton or similar light goods.
Fourthly. I fit water-tight iron decks F, F, from collision bulkhead to lower edge of
bow ports at a suitable angle to facilitate the loading and discharge of log timber,
and fit the bulkhead with horizontal water-tight hatches G, G, sufficiently wide to
lead the logs into the wings of the hold. These spaces before the bulkhead are also
thus made available for cargo..
<
As will be seen I arrange the deck hatches over the tank hatches so as to more
easily get cargo in and out, and the tunnel chamber I divide into two tanks by a
water-tight bulkhead in way of mainmast. I prefer to use the forward part of the
poop for the stowage of cargo, as shown, the after part being used for sails
and as a lazarette. The officers' and captain's cabins, and the saloon are placed
between.
A pipe is represented in dotted lines proceeding from the pump to the ballast
tank for the purpose of emptying it when desired.
The Drawings represent a ship of the following dimensions to be built of iron or
other suitable material.

page_text: Fifth. The general arrangement and construction of decked vessels, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Foxton Craggs, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of May, in the year of our Lord 1878.
Witness,
W. LAING PETREE,
W. P. Thompson & Co's.,
Patent Office,
6, Lord Street,
Liverpool.
H. FOXTON CRAGGS. (LS.).