IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH SHIPS OR VESSELS TO INCREASE THE STABILITY AND BUOYANCY OF THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Voysey, of Camden House, Dulwich, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS IN
CONNECTION WITH SHIPS OR VESSELS TO INCREASE THE STABILITY AND
BUOYANCY OF THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Griffin W. Vyso,
of Mooltan.
Sealed the 20th February 1877, and dated the 4th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Voysey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1876.
CHARLES VOYSEY, of Camden House, Dulwich, in the County of Surrey. " LM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH SHIPS OR VESSELS TO INCREASE
THE STABILITY AND BUOYANCY OF THE SAME."
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus in connection
with ships or vessels to increase the stability and buoyancy of the same For these
purposes there is arranged on either side of the ship or vessel, and at a distance of
from 50 to 100 feet, according to the size, large iron circular tubes made with
water-tight partitions and similar in some respects to pontoons. These tubes
are approximately of the same length as the ship or vessel, from the sides of which
they are held and supported by bracket girders and by ties passing to the stem and
stern. These supports are so constructed that they can bend at joints and be
fastened up against the side of the ship or vessel, or be removed altogether. At the
ends of the tubes or pontoons when they are applied to a ship of war are steel spikes
for the purpose of ramming smaller shipping.
Ships or vessels with tubes or pontoons like these on the two sides cannot roll
and can stand the roughest weather. When applied to ships of war the tubes or
pontoons steady the ship for firing the broadside, and so admit of better aim being
taken. They will also in charging through an enemy's port studded with shipping

page_text: do great mischief to all they encounter. When rapid progress is necessary these
tubes or pontoons can be easily drawn up out of the way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles Voysey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd March 1877.
CHARLES VOYSEY, of Camden House, Dulwich, in the County of Surrey. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS IN CONNECTION WITH SHIPS OR VESSELS TO INCREASE
THE STABILITY AND BUOYANCY OF THE SAME" A communication from abroad by
Griffin W. Vyse, of Mooltan.
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus in connection with
For these
ships or vessels to increase the stability and buoyancy of the same.
purposes there is arranged on either side of the ship or vessel, and at a distance of
from 50 to 100 feet, according to the size, large iron circular tubes made with
water-tight partitions, and similar, in some respects to pontoons. These tubes are
approximately of the same length as the ship or vessel, from the sides of which
they are held and supported by bracket girders and by ties passing to the stem and
stern These supports are so constructed that they can bend at joints and be
fastened up against the side of the ship or vessel, or be removed altogether. At the
ends of the tubes or pontoons when they are applied to a ship of war are steel spikes
for the purpose of ramming smaller shipping.
Ships or vessels with tubes or pontoons like these on the two sides cannot roll
and can stand the roughest weather. When applied to ships of war the tubes or
pontoons steady the ship for firing the broadside, and so admit of better am being
taken They will also in charging through an enemy's port studded with shipping
do great mischief to all they encounter. When rapid progress is necessary these
tubes or pontoons can be easily drawn up out of the way.
In order that the said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is an end elevation of a ship fitted with the novel apparatus as it appears 30
with the pontoon like floats resting on the water on either side of the ship. Figure 2
is a portion of a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the ship with the apparatus stowed and out of
use.
A, A, are portable pontoons, water-tight compartments, held by light T iron 35
girders with iron or steel lateral, horizontal, and vertical tie supports. B, B, is a
portable travelling crauc running on an iron tramway for lifting, lowering, or raising
gear. At D, D, aie spring steel spikes for ramming wooden vessels, held back by a
coil spring and shooting forward on coming into collision with any object.
The arrangement of one or double lines of pontoons would greatly facilitate 4
rapidity of firing, keeping the vessel perfectly steady, thereby rendering greater
precision and accuracy of firing.
When not in use the pontoons can be drawn up by means of the travelling crane
and placed as on Figure 3, as speed is the chief desideratum in attaining perfection
for men of war coming into action.
The supports, guders in sockets, dimensions, and stowage aro mero matters of
engineering detail and ordinary knowledge.
What I claim is the construction of apparatus in connection with ships or r
4

page_text: vessels to increase the stability and buoyancy of the same, substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Voysey, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.