IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF RAISING, LIFTING, OR WITHDRAWING THE RUDDERS SCREW PROPELLERS, RAMS OF VESSELS FROM THE WATER WHEN SUCH PARTS ARE NOT IN USE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Luke Thomas, of No. 5, Dawson Place, Bayswater, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OR MEANS OF RAISING, LIFTING, OR WITHDRAWING THE RUDDERS
SCREW PROPELLERS, RAMS OF VESSELS FROM THE WATER WHEN SUCH PARTS
ARE NOT IN USE."
on
Sealed the 28th August 1877, and dated the 12th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Luke Thomas at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1877.
LUKE THOMAS, of No. 5, Dawson Place, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF RAISING, LIFTING, OR
WITHDRAWING THE RUDDERS, SCREW PROPELLERS, OR RAMS OF VESSELS FROM
THE WATER WHEN SUCH PARTS ARE NOT IN USE."
The object of my Invention is to provide a means of withdrawing the rudders,
screw propellers, or rams from or out of the water when either of such apparatus iš
not required to be in use, by which means the drag on the vessel or other incon-
venience now felt will be entirely obviated.
'
My Invention consists, firstly, in attaching or securing the rudder to a disc or
portion thereof, or to a rod or plate or other similar means of operating or bringing
inboard the rudders of vessels.
The disc or portion thereof, or rod or plate may be provided with a balance
weight, so as to facilitate the operations of the man or men in charge.
In all cases the rudder is so attached that it can by means of lever or other
power applied within the ship be brought inboard through a slot or opening
provided for that purpose in the stem or stern of the vessel, according to circumstances,
or it may be only elevated above the water level, as may be found most convenient!
My Invention consists, secondly, in applying the same principle to the raising of
screw propellers from out of the water when otherwise they would only be a drag
upon the ship.
My Invention consists, thirdly, in applying the same principle to that part
of somo vessels known as the ram.
It will be evident from the foregoing description that the same principle of
operating these moving parts applies equally and effectively in all these cases..
>

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Luke Thomas in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th December
1877.
"
LUKE THOMAS, of No. 5, Dawson Place, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF RAISING OR LIfting, or
WITHDRAWING THE RUDDERS, SCREW PROPELLERS, OR RAMS OF VESSELS FROM THE
WATER WHEN SUCH PARTS ARE NOT REQUIRED IN USE."
The object of my Invention is to provide a means of withdrawing the rudders,
screw propellers, or rams from or out of the water when either of such apparatus is
not required to be in use, by which means the drag on the vessel or other incon-
venience now felt will be obviated entirely.
My Invention consists, firstly, in attaching or securing the rudder to a disc or
portion thereof, or to a rod or plate, or other similar means of operating or bringing
inboard the rudders of vessels.
The disc or portion thereof, or rod or plate, may be provided with a balance
weight, so as to facilitate the operation of the man or men in charge.
In all cases the rudder is so attached that it can by means of levers or other
power applied within the ship be brought inboard through a slot or opening
provided for that purpose in the stem or stern of the vessel, or in the counter or at
the side of the vessel, according to circumstances, or it may be only elevated above
the water line, as may be found most convenient.
My Invention consists, secondly, in applying the same principle to the raising of
screw propellers, or their removal from out of the water when otherwise they
would only be a drag on the ship.
My Invention consists, thirdly, ina pplying the same principle to that part of
some vessels known as the ram.
It will be evident from the foregoing description that the same principle of
operating or withdrawing the rudder or propeller will apply equally to the ram.
In order that the nature of my said Invention and the manner by which the same
is carried into effect may be particularly described and ascertained, this Specification
is accompanied by a Sheet of Drawings having figures and letters of reference
marked thereupon, the like letter being used to denote a similar or corresponding
part in each Figure.
In these Drawings Figure 1. is an elevation shewing one application of my
Invention to the rudder.
It will be seen that the rudder A is attached or hinged to a disc B, and that by
revolving or actuating such disc by hand or other power the rudder A can be drawn
entirely inboard so as to occupy the position, as shewn in the dotted lines, where it
will be perfectly socure from any external injury.
In the case of boats, lighters, and such other craft where tillers are used, the
tillers C are jointed so as to fit the shape of the craft in which they are employed.
Figure 2 is a sectional view with the rudder shipped.
Figure 3 shews the application of my Invention to larger craft, in which the
rudder post is made in two parts, an upper and a lower part.
The upper part is connected to the steering arrangement, and is so recessed as to
embrace the upper end of the part attached to the rudder head, in order that any
movement of the steering gear may be communicated to it, but when the rudder is
brought inboard the two portions become disconnected.
Figure 4 is another view, showing the application to a bow rudder.
Figure 5 is the side view of the stem of a vessel, shewing the application
of my Invention to the raising of screw propellers where twin screws are used.
It will be seen that the propeller shafts 1 are made with a joint at E, so as to
enable that portion of the shafts extending aft, and carrying the propellers, to be
raised by means of levers, gearing or other mechanism operating the discs B into
the position, shown in the Drawing in dotted lines.

page_text: Figure 6 shows the application of my Invention to a vessel in which a single
screw is employed, but where two rudders are used, the means for raising being as
.herein-before described.
Figure 7 shows the application of my Invention to the ram R of a war vessel.
As herein-before stated it may in some cases be necessary to construct or provide
the vessel to which my Invention may be applied with slots or apertures or openings
for the reception of the parts to be withdrawn from the water, and I wish it to be
distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the arrangements for bringing
in such parts by discs or portions thereof, as shown; but my Invention consists in
means for bringing inboard, or above, or from out of the water by discs, portions
thereof, rods, plates, or levers, or combinations of such mechanism, rudders, screw
propellers, or rams, in and for the purposes as described in this Specification and in
the accompanying Drawings illustrated; and this is what I claim and desire to
secure by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent.
In witness whereof, I, the said Luke Thomas, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witnesses to the signature of the
said Luke Thomas,
M. A. SOUL.
FRED. W. ATKINSON.
LUKE THUMAS.
(L.S.)