IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF MACHINERY FOR ASSISTING VESSELS IN PERFORMING CERTAIN EVOLUTIONS UPON THE WATER, ESPECIALLY TACKING, VEERING, PROPELLING, STEERING, CASTING, OR WINDING AND BACKING ASTERN
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EDWARD JOHN CARPENTER, of Toft Monks, in the County of Norfolk, a
Commander in the Royal Navy, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Royal Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the Thir-
teenth day of June, in the third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward John
Carpenter, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege, and autho-
rity that I, the said Edward John Carpenter, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Edward John Carpenter,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and in all Her Majesty's Colonics and Plantations abroad, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF MACHINERY FOR ASSISTING
VESSELS IN PERFORMING CERTAIN EVOLUTIONS UPON THE WATER, ESPECIALLY
TACKING, VEERING, PROPELLING, STEERING, CASTING, OR WINDING AND
BACKING ASTERN," in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Edward John Carpenter, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and scal, particularly to describe and ascertain
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manuer the same is to be
performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's. High

page_text: Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Edward John Carpenter, do hereby declare that the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed,
are particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
-description thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say):
My Invention may be divided into three distinct parts or heads, con-
sisting, firstly, in the method in which my improved propelling
apparatus is affixed and adjusted for propelling ships or vessels at the
-greatest possible speed attainable with reference to the use of sub-
marine rotatory propellers on the quarter.
The second part of the Invention is for a method of applying and
adjusting my improved propelling apparatus so as to turn ships or
vessels about in various positions without the assistance of the wind or
rudder.
:
The third part is for a method of affixing and applying my improved
propelling apparatus to ships or vessels, with one propeller at the stern.
The diagrams, Fig 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which accompany
this Specification, are intended to elucidate the first part or portion of
my. Invention. Fig 1, 2, 3, and 4, represent views of the blades
and screws which form my submarine quarter propeller. They may be
constructed -either. of metal or wood or any other suitable material.
Their strength and superfices dépend upon the size and weight of the
vessel they are intended.to. propel.
When any number of the planes or screws are set or affixed on a
shaft, either oblique or vertical to the plane of the axis of that shaft,
at the angle of thirty degrees, or between the angle of twenty degrees
and forty-five degrees, for. the purpose of moving a vessel in or upon the.
water by micans of rotation, it is then called a "propeller."
Figs 1, and 2, are planes, which act in the water on the principle of
the wedge, and screw.

page_text: Figs 3, and 4, are sections of screws which act in the water on
the principle of that power, the water being the nut or resisting
medium, and the propeller the screw.
Fig. 5, represents a partial side elevation of the after part or
quarter of a vessel, with the improved apparatus adjusted according to
the first part of my Invention, or by adapting the propellers to the
quarter of the vessel.
Fig 6, and 7, represent stern views of a vessel with the apparatus
affixed and adjusted in two different positions:
Figs 8, and 9, represent a front and side view of the quarter
propellers, and the regulator and stern bearing, on an enlarged scale.
The construction and adaptation of the spindles i, i, form part of
my Invention; they consist of moveable axles which protrude through
the vessel on both quarters at the point g, which is a point on or near
the line of floatation between the load water line and above the keel,
below the midship section and the stern frame. The spindles are
enclosed by metallic cylinders or other proper packing h, having a cup
and socket valve and stuffing box at one or both ends; they are
firmly secured to the timbers of a vessel by means of iron or other
fastenings.
That part of the spindle which is within the vessel is to be connected
to a steam engine or first mover by means of a connecting shaft,
excentric rods, bands, or other convenient mechanical contrivances, as
are generally used in such cases.
The outer part of the spindlé is connected with the propelling shaft
by means of an universal or other suitable joint or junction f, a hinge
or any other suitable contrivance for allowing the propeller shaft to be
detached or raised conveniently.
The regulator e, forms part of my Invention as regards its adaptation
and application; it consists of a rod furnished with a rack and pinion,
with a pendant bearing attached to the propelling shaft at the bottom
of the rod, through which pendant bearing the propeller shaft passes,
and in this way it can be used for raising or lowering the propeller as
regulator may be formed of a chain
circumstances may require, or the
and tackle, if thought desirable. I have only shewn this as one prac-
ticable method of carrying my Invention into effect.

page_text: The propeller shaft and joint or hinge f, may be cased over, if
required.
The end or stern bearing c, is part of my improvements or Invention;
as regards its adaptation and application, it is constructed of metal, and
bolted firmly into the transom or timbers of the vessel, so that it is
capable of resisting the force of heavy seas against the propeller, and
also being easily detached, as circumstances may require; two or more
bearings may also be applied in this way, if required.
:
The end of the propeller shaft may be coupled to the arms or sup-
ports of the bearing, as at b, in such manner that the upper end of the
propellers may be raised or lowered, as before described, but in either
case the Invention consists in projecting the means of raising or lower-
ing a propeller of this description, at the same time securing to it an
efficient bearing, without which such propellers would be impracticable
for useful purposes...;
The advantage-to-be derived from this mode of applying and adapting
the quarter propellers is as follows:-
First, in long voyages the cup and socket valves would wear into
their own bearings, and they would not be so liable to injury or subject
to the possibility of letting the water come into the vessel, likely to
endanger the cargo, as if the bearings were made in the manner
hitherto adopted; morcover, there would be less friction in long voyages
where the number of rotations would be considerable.
.
Secondly, because the casing and spindles, when properly secured,
form as it were a part or portion of the hull; offering this great
desideratum, namely, that sailing vessels, as well as steam boats, ships
launches, or canal boats, might always be prepared with the means of
being propelled to the greatest advantage with a locomotive power,
without interfering with the form or construction of the vessel in other
respects.
Thirdly, because the force which is transmitted from the propellers
which impels a vessel forward is then (viz,. on account of this position
at the point g,) urged against both her sides uniformly in the same
direction with the keel from the most effective points (in a practical
point of view), that is to say, from those points which are best calcu-
lated to give the greatest speed at the least sacrifice of power.

page_text: Fourthly, because a vessel is not so liable to shake or tremble, or to
injure her framework, when in the act of being propelled with a power-
ful steam engine, as if the same power were conducted to the dead wood
or through the timbers in the stern frame.
Fifthly, because the propellers rotate in the undisturbed water and
free of the dead water directly in the wake; consequently, they retain
a more uniform power than if the same propellers were fixed in the
dead wood, or only partially immersed, like the common padddle wheel.
Sixthly, because the quarter propellers, rotating in the water, act
upon the rudder with increased effect as a lever, and improves the
steerage; consequently, a ship or vessel might be turned round on
reduced radii:
Lastly, because the propellers may be placed effectively below the
surface of the water, out of the reach of missiles from an enemy; they
can be raised out of the water with great facility to be repaired or
cleared of weeds, &c., or should one quarter propeller be damaged by
accident, then the other can be used alone for the purpose of pro-
pelling or backing astern; moreover, as the propelling apparatus does
not extend beyond the extreme width of a vessel, a vessel might
consequently pass through narrow locks or channels capable of .taking
in her own width.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention,
as shewn in Fig. 10, which represents the cross section of a vessel.. a,
is the capstan; b, a bevilled wheel, fitted upon the capstan, for the
purpose of communicating the motive power to the propellers; c, c, are
two pinions in gear with the large bevil wheel.
The axle of the pinions are connected with the spindles d, d, as before
described, and the spindles are constructed on the same principle as
before described.
Fig. 11, represents the quarter section of a vessel, showing the
position of a quarter propeller on the larboard side, the shaft passing
out from the vessel at an angle of sixty degrees, with the line of the
keel from the stern. The propeller e, is supposed to be entirely im-
mersed and confined in its position by means of a stay and other parts
of the apparatus; as seen in the Drawing. The shaft rotates in a bear-
ing g, and it can be raised or lowered into the water by means of a
I

page_text: After the
topping lift or tackle h, a joint i, and a hinged bracket k.
apparatus has been coupled together and connected with the capstan it
is only necessary to turn the capstan round by power, and the ship or
vessel's head will move round in an opposite direction to that line in
which the force is applied, according to the position of the propellers,
or whether one or both are used in this instance, they being used as the
means of steering as well as propelling, and, consequently, it would be
the means of assisting vessels in performing the above evolutions, as
stated in the title of my Patent.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which consists in
the manner in which the rudder is divided so as to allow the shaft of a
single propeller to pass through it, and also in the form of the vanes or
blades to be applied to this shaft, which are shewn at Figs 12, 13,
14, and 15. The length of each vane or blade a, b, being more than
twice-its-radius-c,-d. The outer segmental line a, b, being the arc of
a circle of such a diameter that every part of it will be equidistant-from-
the centre of the shaft, according to the angle at which it is placed."
Two of these blades being placed angularly upon the shaft, as before
described in reference to the quarter propellers.
igure 16, is a side view of a vessel, showing-a-profile of the rudder
divided into two parts e, f, with the jointed propeller shaft g, h, passing
through it. The shaft is supported at its extremity by a hinged bearing,
as described in part the first, with a regulator or topping lift, as may be
required, for raising it out of the water.
Fig. 17, is a stern or end view of the same, shewing the manner in
which the upper and lower division of the rudder are united by a strong
iron connecting piece i, k.
Although I have shewn that my improved propelling apparatus may
be used on the quarters and at the stern, I do not confine myself to
these positions, or to the form or figure of the propellers described, or
to each and every part of the mode described of adjusting and adapting
the apparatus to ships or vessels; but I claim as my Invention the
application or adaptation of submarine propellers in the-manner above
described, in whatever situation such propellers may be placed; and
also claim the peculiar form of the propellers shewn in the Drawings,
in whatever way they may be used.

page_text: I would here remark, that my improved propelling apparatus may
be used with advantage for ascertaining the resistance of fluids, so as
to determine the best shape of which a vessel should be made for being
propelled quickly through the water by means of power, or the rate in
which she passes through the water, or it may be applied to rafts for
pontooning, or to life boats, or for conducting submarine combustion
under ships bottoms, which applications I consider as forming part of
my Invention.
I would here remark, that when using my improved application of
machinery for ascertaining the speed or leeway of a vessel, I have my
apparatus adjusted with an index passing through the bottom at or
near the midship section; the apparatus is made on the same principle
as that which has been described for propelling vessels, with this differ-
ence only, that the pressure of the water against the vanes or blades is,
in this instance, the motive power, they revolving as the vessel passes
through the water, and denoting, by the index connected with the
spindle, the speed by connecting the spindle with the index.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Jolun Carpenter, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twelfth day of December,
in the your of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty
EDWARD J. (L.S.) CARPENTER.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Twelfth day of
December, in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Edward John
Carpenter came before Our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing
therein contained in form above written; and also the Specification
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the statute in that
case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Twelfth day of December, in the year above
written.