Improvements in and relating to Self-destructive Torpedo Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Self-destructive Torpedo
Vessels.
We, SAMUEL BARTON, doing business at number 40 West 42nd Street, in the City,
County and State of New York, and CHARLES STANTON HIGGINS, doing business
at the Corner of Park and Clinton Avenues, in the City of Brooklyn, County of
Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Gentlemen, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to bo
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
Our Invention relates to a self-destructive torpedo vessel; and it consists in the
improved construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully disclosed in the
description, drawing and claims.
The objects of our invention are, first, to provide a self-destructive war vessel with
suitable means for propelling and steering the same, with a stationary, self-destroying
charge contained and operated within said vessel, and with means for admitting of
the crew escaping before the explosion of said charge; second, to provide such a war
vessel with means for propelling and navigating the same, with a stationary, self
destroying charge contained and operated within said vessel and with means for
admitting of the crew escaping before the explosion of said charge; third, to provide
improved means contained within a self-destroying vessel for controlling the explosion
of the stationary charge, which charge is also contained therein, and means for
admitting the escape of the crew, and fourth, to provide such a vessel with the
other novel constructions and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and
claimed.
. These objects are attained by the construction of vessel illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing forming part of this specification, in which-
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of our self-destroying torpedo vessel, and―
Figure 2, is a longitudinal vertical section of the same.
In the drawing the numeral, 1, indicates the hull of the vessel, which is formed
with a pointed bow or ram, 2, which is re-enforced with steel or iron. The forward
part of the vessel is armored with a curved or vaulted deflecting roof, 3, having the
shape of a combined dome and turtle back, the armor being made of heavy and very
strong steel plates, in order that it will be capable of deflecting any projectile or
other object which may come into contact therewith. Amidship the vessel is also
supplied with an armored cockpit, 4, which is provided with steps, 5, leading forward
to the pilot-house, 6, which is also arranged beneath the armored deflecting roof, 3;
also, said cockpit is provided with steps, 7, which are placed against the after or rear
side thereof. The smoke-stack, 8, and the exhaust-steam pipe, 9, pass up through
said cockpit at the rear of the armored deflecting roof, 3.
The davits, 10, which are mounted upon the after-deck, 11, support a steam launch,
tender or life-boat, 12, which is preferably supported in such manner that it can
float and be easily released from said davits when the vessel is partially submerged and
ready for action.
A shell or chamber, 13, in the bow of the vessel is provided with a stationary
charge, 14, of dynamite or similar explosive agent, which may be exploded by a
percussion cap, 15, or similar means, which is struck by a hammer, 16, operated by
the clock-work, 17, which is actuated to move said hammer by tilting or rocking a
detent, 18, which is secured to a lever, 19, one arm of which forms the armature of
an electro-magnet, 20, which is placed in the circuit of a battery, 21, the wires, 22,
of the latter being connected to a button or circuit closer, 23, located in the pilot-
honse In the armored defeating an
2 of the nilot house are formed eritable

page_text: •
peep-holes or apertures, 24, through which the pilot can have unobstructed vision
while standing at the steering-wheel, 25.
A part of the space below the dock is occupied by the boilers, 26, and engines, 27,
which may be of any desired or suitable construction, and which drive the shafts, 28,
of the twin-screws, 29. A set of stairs or steps, 30, lead to the cockpit from the
engine-room, but there is no communication through the latter or any part-below
the deck with the after-deck, which is water-tight. The principal portion of the
remaining space below the deck, which is not used for coal-bunkers, is formed into
water-tanks, 31, provided with valves, 32, which open into them below the water-lino
and are operated by suitable connecting: fods having handles or hand-wheels, 33,
located in the pilot-house and cockpit or either.
A rod having a handle, 34, extends into the pilot-house and is connected with'
suitable mechanism for starting, stopping and reversing the engines from said pilot
house; also a lashing of rope, 35, or other suitable securing device is provided for
holding the steering-wheel, 25, in any desired adjustment or position.
also a
A suitable number of life-preservers, 36, cork jackets or Boyton suits are provided
for the crew of the vessel and have the special purpose hereinafter stated;
suitable number of incandescent lamps, 37, are provided for the members of the
crew, said lamps being adapted to be carried upon their persons, preferably upon.
their heads, cach lamp being provided with a suitable storage battery or other
electrical supply that will be conveniently portable.
Whenever it is desired to bring our self-destroying vessel into action for attacking.
and destroying another vessel or other object, it is first navigated to a point within
range of said other vessel or object, then it is lowered from its normal water-line, aa,
to a submerged water-line, bb, by opening the water-tank valves, 32, by the connecting
rods having the handles, 33; then our vessel is ready for action and is-steamed at full-
speed,,"head on," toward the vessel or other object to he attacked and destroyed;
then the launch or life-boat, being already afloat upon its davits, owing to the partial
submergence of the vessel, is released and manned with all the spare members of the
crew, the pilot, only, or perhaps the engineer and one or two others remaining on
-board the vessel; then, when the latter is within a short distance of the other vessel
or object, the steering-wheel is lashed to keep the vessel straight on its thus pre-
deterinined course; then the button or circuit-closer is manipulated, whereupon the
pilot and any other remaining ones of the crew jump over-board, having previously
provided themselves with cork jackets, Boyton suits, or life-preservers and also, with
the lamps, if the attack is made by night; then the pilot and his companions are
picked up by the rest of the crew upon the launch, the vessel, in the meantime,
continuing onward toward its object of attack until it strikes the same with its
pointed ram, which penetrates said object, explodes and destroys the same, and
also destroys itself.
It will be obvious that the explosive charge must be of sufficient amount and
strength to be beyond question as to its destructive power, (as for instance, about two
tons of dynamite will destroy the strongest armored vessel extant, either when exploded
at or near the side of or beneath the same,) as the mere penetrating power of, the
ram is not to be relied upon for destroying the heavily armored vessels of the:
present day.
g.
Owing to the peculiar shape of the roof of our vessel which is that of a combined
dome and turtle back, as stated, and which covers the forward portion of said vessel,
it will be obvious that said roof will deflect any projectile which may .strike it,
especially as the vessel will usually approach "head on" or towards the opposing
vessel and thus present a surface that is difficult to penetrate; that the pointed bow
or ram will pass through torpedo nets and other obstructions, and also, run over or
under torpedo booms, whether they be upon or beneath the surface of the water, as
the vessel may remain at its normal water-level or be partially submerged beneath
the same; that the button or circuit-closer is to be touclied when the vessel is at such
a distance from its object of attack (the distance having been previously estimated),
that the armature lever, detent and clock-work will operate. the hammer and explode

page_text: the charge at the moment the ram strikes said object, or immediately thereafter; that
the pilot or helmsman can have unobstructed views through the apertures in the
peculiarly-shaped and armored roof; that when the time approaches for the crew to
leave the main vessel, the engineer can leave the engine-room and govern the engines.
from the pilot-house by means of the rod having the handle located therein, and that
the armored cockpit will admit of the vessel being partially submerged without.
obstructing the passage from the pilot-house down into the vessel below the deck.
As this vessel is not intended to carry a large crew, nor to carry more ammunition
and coal than is necessary for a short trip, the greater portion of the space beneath>
the deck of the vessel is set apart for boilers and engines, whereby large power and -
consequent speed are imparted to a comparatively small vossel.
Life proservers of the character named will admit such of the crew as jump over-
board to be picked up and saved by the crew upon the launch; also at night, the
lamps provided will serve the crew of the launch to observe and pick up the men who
are over-board.
As this vessol is designed to be self-destroying, no attention need be paid to highly
finishing or beautifying the same or its' parts, all that is required being strength and
power, and consequently, a vessel of this construction can be built at a comparatively ⚫
small expense, at a cost not materially above the expense due to constructing a
submarine torpedo or similar destructive device, the management of the latter being
also more or less uncertain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is-
1. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a stationary explosive charge in its
bow, with navigating and explosion-controlling mechanisms contained and operated
within said vessel, and with means for admitting the escape of the crew, substantially
as described.
2. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a stationary explosive charge in its :
bow, with explosion-controlling mechanism and with engines and steering gear
contained and operated within said vessel and with means for admitting the escape of
the.crew, substantially as described.
3. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a stationary explosive charge in its
bow, with mechanism for controlling the explosion of said charge, for propelling and
steering and for protecting said propelling and steering mechanisms, said. mechanisms.
being contained and operated within said vessel, and with means for admitting the
escape of the screw, substantially as described.
4. A self destructive war vessel provided with means for partial submergence, with
a ram provided with a stationary explosive charge, with means for exploding the-
same, which means is contained and operated within said vessel, and with means for
admitting the escape of the crew, substantially as described.
:
5. A self-destructive war vessel provided with propelling and steering mechanisms,"
with a pointed ram provided with a stationary explosive charge, with means for
exploding the same, which is contained and operated within said vessel, and with
means for admitting the escape of the crew, substantially as described..
6. A self-destructive war vessel provided with propelling and steering mechanisms,
with means for partial submergence, with a ram at its forward end, with a stationary
explosive charge within said ram, with means which is contained and operated within
said vessel, for controlling the explosion of said charge, and with-means for admitting
the escape of the crew, substantially as described.
7. A self-destructive war vessel provided with propelling and steering mechanisms,
with a ram at its forward end, with a stationary explosive charge within said ram,
with means, which is contained and operated within said vessel, for controlling the
explosion of said charge, with life-preservers, and with means for the partial sub-
mergence of said vessel and for admitting the escape of the crew, substantially as
described,

page_text: 8. A self-destructive war vessel provided with propelling and steering mechanisms,
with a ram at its forward end, with a stationary explosive charge within said ram,
with means, which is contained and operated within said vessel, for controlling the
explosion of said charge, with means for partial submergence, with life-preservers,.
with lamps, and with means for admitting the escape of the crew, substantially as
described.
9. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a hull, a ram at its bow, a curved
roof over its forward portion, a stationary explosive charge within said ram, means
contained and operated within said vessel for controlling the explosion of said charge,
propelling and steering mechanisms, and means for admitting the escape of the crew,
substantially as described.
10. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a hull, a ram at its bow, a curved
roof over its forward portion, a stationary explosive charge within said ram, means
contained and operated within said vessel for controlling the explosion of said charge,
propelling, steering and partial submerging mechanisms, and means for admitting
the escape of the crew, substantially as described.
11. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a hull, a ram at its bow, a curved
roof over it's forward portion, a stationary explosive charge within said ram, means
contained and operated within said vessel for controlling the explosion of said charge,
propelling, steering and partial submerging mechanisms, and a launch or life-boat,
substantially as described.
12. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a hull, a ram at its bow, a curved
roof over its forward portion, an armored cockpit, a low after-deck, valves and tanks
for partially submerging said hull and after-deck, propelling and steering mechanisms;
a stationary.explosive charge within said. ram, means contained and operated within
said vessel for controlling the explosion of said charge, and a launch or life-boat
supported upon said low after-deck and adapted to be launched or floated when said
hull is partially submerged, substantially as described.
13. A self-destructive war vessel provided with a hull, a ram at its bow, a low
after-deck, a pilot-house having a curved or vaulted roof, an armored cockpit, a
stationary explosive charge located within said ram, means contained and operated
within. said vessel for exploding said charge, which are connected with said pilot-
house, engines and steering gear, means for controlling said engines and steering
gear, which are also connected with said pilot-house, valves and tanks for partially
submerging said hull, and a launch or life boat supported above said low after-deck
and adapted to be launched or floated when said deck is partially submerged, sub-
stantially as described.
14. A self-destructive war vessel provided with the hull, 1, the ram, 2, the
vaulted roof, 3, the pilot house, 6, the armored cockpit, 4, the low after-deck, 11, the
stationary explosive charge, 14, the hammer and clock-work, 16, 17, and, 18, the electric
devices, 19, and, 20, the battery, 21, the wires, 22, the button or circuit closer, 23, the
water-tank, 31, the valves, 32, the connecting rods having the handles, 33, the
engines 27, the rod having the controlling handle, 34, the steering wheel, 25,
the lashing, 35, the davits, 10, the launch, 12, and the life-preservers, 36, substantially
as described.