IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING AND EXTINGUISHING FIRE IN VESSELS, WARE- HOUSES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO VENTILATION
Year: 1848

page_text: SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MEACOCK, of Liverpool, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twelfth day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the eleventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Meacock, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said James
Meacock, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Meacock, my exors, admors, 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 expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING AND EXTINGUISHING FIRE IN VESSELS, WARE-
HOUSES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO
VENTILATION;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said James Meacock, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in

page_text: 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
James Meacock, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention consists,―
First, of improvements in preventing fire on board vessels carrying coals,
and for ventilating corn in vessels.
Secondly, my Invention consists of improvements in preventing and extin-
guishing fires in warehouses, houses, and other buildings, and vessels. And,
Thirdly, my Invention consists of improvements in ventilating rooms or
apartments.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me.
It is well known that vessels carrying coals on long voyages are very liable
to be burned by spontaneous combustion of the coals; and this part of my
Invention consists of applying hollow or tubular apparatus in the midst of the
coal in such manner as to conduct off the gas as the same passes off from the
coal.
Figure 1 shows a diagram of the section of a ship's hold, which having
been filled to about the depth of four feet with coal, the tubular apparatus is
to be applied. a, a, a, are a series of perforated tubes, with suitable sockets
or other convenient means of connecting one to the other, and to the chimneys
b, b, as shown. Each portion of the perforated tubular apparatus a, a, consists
of half a cylinder, perforated with numerous holes, such half cylinder being
covered by the cover a, a, as shown. On to the first series of apparatus thus
placed further coals are to be stowed to a depth of about four feet; and then
a second series of similar apparatus is to be applied, and then a further quan-
tity of coals is to be placed on such second series, and the chimneys are to be
fixed through, and rise some height above the deck, by which means the gas
will be conducted off, and the chances of fire greatly reduced, if not wholly
prevented, from that source. And I would state, that in like manner coal may
be stored in the bunkers of steamboats, and the gases carried off therefrom.
I would remark, that I do not confine myself to the shape and construction of
the apparatus shown, as the same may be varied so long as it is suitable to be
used in the manner above described for conducting away the gas coming from
4 '

page_text: coals stored in vessels. It is evident that the same means will be equally
applicable for ventilating corn in vessels.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which consists of
means of preventing and extinguishing fire in warehouses and other buildings,
and vessels.
Figure 2 shows a section of a warehouse, having apparatus applied thereto
for preventing and extinguishing fires; and like 'apparatus may be applied in
other buildings. And the peculiarity of this apparatus is this:-That the
water mains laid down in the streets are, by suitable pipes and apparatus, to
be in communication with each floor, room, or apartment, in a warehouse or
other building, in such manner that in the event of fire commencing on any
floor, water may quickly be thrown in numerous jets by one or more rose-heads,
or other distributing apparatus, to a sufficient extent to prevent the fire
spreading, and to extinguish that which has already taken place.
Figure 3 shows a front view, Figure 4 a transverse section, and Figure 5
a back view of the apparatus between the street mains and the pipes which
convey the water to the different floors; and this apparatus is so arranged-that
by simply turning a cock in the box c water can be laid on to the particular
floor, whilst the other floors of the building are not interfered with, and there
are as many cocks or valves in the box c as there are floors or apartments in
the building. The Drawing shows there to be five cocks for the supply of five
pipes leading to five apartments or floors; but this will be varied according to
the requirement of the particular case. And I recommend that the box
should be closed by a door, kept locked, and that the policeman on duty near
should at all times have a key of the box, so that in the event of fire he may
at once be able to turn on water to the part of the building where the fire
may be, by which means much property, particularly in warehouses, may be
saved. In respect to extinguishing fire in ships, like apparatus, so far as the
pipes and rose-heads, will be used; but in place of street mains being the
source of supply, force pumps are to be used.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which has for its object
the ventilation of apartments and cabins of vessels; and this part of my
Invention consists of employing perforated sheet metal for the cornices of such
apartments and cabins, which perforated metal I cause to be bent or stamped
into forms suitable for cornices, by which the cornices will be hollow; and I
make passages or openings from such hollow cornices into the chimney of the
apartment, or into the open air, or both, using slide or other valves to close or
regulate the passage of air through such openings; and on board ship I con-
nect such openings by suitable tubes to a chimney or chimneys rising above the

page_text: deck of the vessel. I prefer to use finely-perforated sheet zinc for such pur-
poses, but other metals may be employed.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would remark, that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein described, so long as the
peculiar character of either part of the Invention be retained. But what I
claim is,
First, the means of preventing fires in vessels carrying coal, and for venti-
lating corn in vessels.
Secondly, I claim the mode of preventing and extinguishing fires in ware-
houses and other buildings, by connecting the street mains with suitable
apparatus communicating with the different floors and apartments.
And I also claim the application of like apparatus combined with pumps on
board vessels.
Thirdly, I claim the ventilating of apartments of buildings and cabins of
vessels by applying perforated metal cornices, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Meacock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
I

page_text: In the Matter of a Patent granted to JAMES MEACOCK, of Liverpool,
Gentleman, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING AND EXTINGUISHING
FIRE IN VESSELS, WAREHOUSES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO VENTILATION," bearing date at
Westminster, the Twelfth day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-eight, to which Letters Patent a Specification was duly
inrolled. Whereas by Indenture of Assignment, bearing date the
Thirteenth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and forty-
eight, for the considerations therein mentioned, the said Letter's
Patent, and all liberties and privileges conferred thereby, were
assigned unto Robert Tronson, of Liverpool. And by Indenture of
Assignment, bearing date the Fourteenth day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two, for the consideration therein mentioned,
three fourths of the interest of the said Letters Patent were assigned
unto Fairlie Russell, of Clement's Lane, Lombard Street, Esquire.
DISCLAIMER proposed to be entered by the assignees of the said Letters
Patent with the Clerk of the Patents of England, according to the
Statutes in that case made and provided.
Whereas the said James Meacock did describe his Invention to consist of
hree parts, and since the inrolment of the said Specification the first part of
he Invention, so far as it relates to preventing fire on board vessels carrying
coals, has become very valuable, but the second and third parts of the Invention
have not come into that extent of practical use as would make it desirable to
retain them as parts of the Invention claimed under the said Letters Patent,
and such is also the case in respect to ventilating corn in vessels, for which
reason we wish to disclaim, and we do hereby disclaim, all parts of the said
Specification which describe and claim the said second and third parts of the
Invention. And also all parts of the said Specification which mention or
claim the ventilation of corn in vessels. And in order to make the title in the
said Letters Patent consistent with the Invention, which will then remain
described in the said Specification, we do disclaim the words "and extin-
guishing," also "warchouses and other buildings, parts of which improvements
are applicable to ventilation," in the said title. And in order to make the
effect of this our Disclaimer more readily understood, we have annexed a copy of

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
MEACOCK, of Liverpool, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twelfth day
of April, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the cleventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Meacock, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said James
Meacock, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Meacock, my exors, admors, 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
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING and Extinguishing FIRE IN VESSELS, Warehouses,
and other Buildings, Parts of which Improvements are applicable to Ventilation;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said James
Meacock, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High 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
James Meacock, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed; are fully described and a
ascertained 'in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:

page_text: Devonulyy my invention consists or improvements in preventing and extinguishing,
fires in warehouses, houses, and other buildings and vessels-:-and,
Thirdly, my Invention consists of improvements-in-ventilating rooms-or-apart-.
ments.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me. It is.
well known that vessels carrying coals on long voyages are very liable to be
burned by spontaneous combustion of the coals, and this part of my Invention.
consists of applying hollow or tubular apparatus in the midst of the coal, in such
manner as to conduct off the gas as the same passes off from the coal.
Figure 1 shows a diagram of the section of a ship's hold, which having been
filled to about the depth of four feet with coal the tubular apparatus is to be
applied. a, a, a, are a series of perforated tubes with suitable sockets or other
convenient means of connecting one to the other and to the chimneys b, b, as
shewn. Each portion of the perforated tubular apparatus a, a, consists of
half a cylinder, perforated with numerous holes, such half cylinder being
covered by the cover a, a, as shewn on to the first series of apparatus thus
placed. Further, coals are to be stowed to a depth of about four feet, and
then a second series of similar apparatus is to be applied, and then a further
quantity of coals is to be placed on such second series, and the chimneys are to.
be fixed through and rise some height above the deck, by which means the.
gas will be conducted off, and the chances of fire greatly reduced if not wholly
prevented from that source. And I would state that in like manner coal may
be stored in the bunkers of steamboats, and the gases carried off therefrom.
I would remark that I do not confine myself to the shape and construction of
the apparatus shewn, as the same may be varied so long as it is suitable to be
used in the manner above described for conducting away the gas coming from
coals stored in vessels. It is evident that the same means will be equally applicable,
for-ventilating corn in vessels.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which consists of means of
preventing and extinguishing fire in warehouses and other buildings and vessels.
Figure 3 shows a section of a warehouse having apparatus applied thereto for
preventing and extinguishing fires, and like apparatus may be applied in other
buildings, and the peculiarity of this apparatus is this, that the water mains laid
down in the streets are by suitable pipes and apparatus to be in communication-with
each floor, room, or apartment in a warehouse or other building, in such manner
.

page_text: numerous jew by
eient-extent to prevent the fire spreading, and to extinguish that which has already
taken-place.
Figure 3 shews a front view, Figure 4 a transverse section, and Figure 5
a back view of the apparatus between the street mains and the pipes which
convey the water to the different floors, and this apparatus is so arranged that by
simply turning a cock in the box e, water can be laid on to the particular floor,
whilst the other floors of the building are not interfered with, and there are as
many cocks or valves in the box o as there are floors or apartments in the building.
The Drawing shows there to be five cooks for the supply of five pipes leading to
five apartments-or-floors; but this will be varied according to the requirement of the
particular case. And I recommend that the box should be closed by a-door-kept
leekedy and that the policeman on duty near should at all times have a key of the
box, so that in the event of fire he may at once be able to turn on water to the
part of the building where the fire may be, by which means much property, parti-
cularly in warehouses, may be saved. In respect to extinguishing fire in ships, like
apparatus so far as the pipes and rose heads will be used, but in place of street
mains being the source of supply, forced pumps are to be used..
I-will-new-describe the third part of my Invention, which has for its object the
ventilation of apartments and cabins of vessels, and this part of my Invention con-
sists of employing perforated sheet metal for the cornices of such apartments-and
cabins, which perforated metal I cause to be bent or stamped into forms suitable for
cornices, by which the cornices will be hollow; and I make passages or openings
from such hollow-cornices into the chimney of the apartment, or into the open air,
or both, using slide or other valves to close or regulate the passage of air through
such openings; and on board ship I connect such openings by suitable tubes to a
chimney or chimnies rising above the deek of the vessel. I prefer to use-finely
perforated sheet zine for such purposes, but other metals may be employed.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would remark that I
do not confine myself to the precise details herein described, so long as the
peculiar character of either part of the Invention be retained. But what I
claim is are,
First, the means of preventing fires in vessels carrying coal, and for ventilating
corn-in-vessels.
Secondly, I claim the mode of preventing and extinguishing fires in warehouses
and other buildings by connecting the street mains with suitable apparatus-commu-
nicating with the different floors and apartments. And I also claim the application
of like-apparatus combined with pumps on board vessels.

page_text: Thirdly, I claim the ventilating of apartments of buildings and cabins of vessels
by applying perforated metal cornices, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Meacock, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
To the Clerk of the Patents of England:
This is to certify that the above-named Robert Tronson, of Liverpool, and
Fairlie Russell, of Clement's Lane, Lombard Street, Esquire, have applied to me
for leave to enter with you the above-written Disclaimer of parts of the title and
Specification of a certain Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to
James Meacock, of Liverpool, Gentleman, under the Great Seal of Great
Britain, bearing date at Westminster, the Twelfth day of April, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-eight, and to which a Specification was duly enrolled;
and which Letters Patent (by Indenture, bearing date the Thirteenth day of
October, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight), and all liberties and
privileges conferred thereby, were assigned unto the said Robert Tronson; and
by another Indenture, bearing date the Fourteenth day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two, three fourths of the interest in the said Letters
Patent were assigned unto the said Fairlie Russell. Now, having considered
of the above application, and no objection having been made to the same,
I hereby grant leave to the said Fairlie Russell and Robert Tronson to file
their said Disclaimer, pursuant to the Statutes in that case made and
provided.

page_text: AND ALSO BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of October,
in the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Fairlie Russell came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Disclaimer afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Disclaimer aforesaid was stamped was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two...