IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION of FLOATING VESSELS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Dougan, of Ladbroke Grove Road, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION of
FLOATING VESSELS."
Sealed the 1st April 1879, and dated the 3rd October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Dougan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1878.
ROBERT DOUGAN, of Ladbrooke Grove Road, in the County of Middlesex. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLOATING VESSELS.”
The improvements relate to vessels or boats intended more particularly for river
traffic, and consist in making them of separate sections joined or coupled together,
placing the machinery and crew in one section, preferably the foremost, and the
passengers in the other; also in an automatic coupling to be used between the
sections, constructed in such manner that the sinking of one of the sections or con-
cussion of a certain force laterally against the same shall liberate the coupling; also
in joining the said sections by hinged gangways or bridges. The couplings are
rendered automatic by means of metal springs.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Dougan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd April
1879.
ROBERT DOUGAN, of Ladbroke Grove Road, in the County of Middlesex.
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLOATING VESSELS."
«IM-
The object of this Invention is to construct steam and other passenger, saloon, or
other ships, in such manner that if a collision should occur the passengers may be
readily rescued from destruction or peril to life or limb.
In carrying out my Invention the principle I aim at is the subdivision of the
passengers in one, two, or more saloon boats connected together by means of bridges
or gangways so constructed that whenever desirable the couplings may be unloosed
by self-acting means or apparatus, and in the event of one of the vessels being
struck by a steamer or other ship the passengers could readily cross the bridges or
gangways and enter the vessel not struck or damaged. As the motive power for
propelling the train of vessels would be constructed and placed in the tug or first
vessel, a source of danger and annoyance to passengers would be removed.
Instead of building a boat 200 feet long I construct it in two. parts each 100 feet
long, the first boat to be a paddle steamer containing the engines and all the
necessary machinery, with a limited number of passengers to occupy a saloon on
deck in rear of the chimney, no passengers being allowed in front or under deck.
The fore part of the steamer is intended for the sole use of the captain and crew, so
that there can be no interruption of the look-out to the man at the wheel.
The floating saloon attached by a gangway or bridge to the steamboat in front
will contain the largest number of the passengers, as it is towed by the steamboat.
This saloon will resemble a drawing room, and should be constructed on a hull of
sufficient dimensions to give 5 feet all round where the people are sitting in the
saloon between the bulwarks round the deck. This 5 feet passage would form a
promenade, and in the event of another vessel striking the bulwarks she must cut
through five feet of the strong hull before reaching the saloon wherein the passengers
are seated.
For greater safety there is no place for passengers under the level deck.
The saloon is to be built on the level deck on the hull, to be entered by a wide door
on both sides with universal hinges, so that egress would be rapid and immediate.
There is also a promenade on th roof of the saloon approached by wide stairs at
each end, so as to afford a double means of ascent and descent, the promenade on
the roof to be divided down the centre by a strong partition, so that no undue
number of passengers can crowd into one side to cause any overbalancing of the
saloon.
In the event of a collision, the steamer being run into, and about three hundred
passengers being on the back part of the steamer, every one of them can escape over
the wide gangway or bridge, which will admit four persons abreast, in four minutes
into the saloon attached. When the boat begins to sink, the apparatus by a self-
acting plan immediately disconnects the bridge from the sinking boat, and clings to
the floating saloon into which the people have escaped. This has the desired effect of
entirely disconnecting the saloon from the sinking boat without depending on any.
human aid, saving any danger of the sinking vessel dragging down the next saloon
vessel. Three or more saloons may be attached to the steamboat if it is deemed
necessary to carry a larger number of passengers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that what I claim and desire to secure by the herein-before recited Letters
Patent is,

page_text: The peculiar construction of ships and other floating vessels, in the manner herein-
before described, and shewn by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Dougan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
R. DOUGAN. (L.S.)