IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS AND OTHER SUBMERGED BODIES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield, both of No. 6,
Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, and Francis John Bolton, of 19,
Grosvenor Gardens, both in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS AND OTHER
SUBMERGED BODIES."
"
Sealed the 6th May 1879, and dated the 8th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Josiah Latimer Clark, John
Standfield, & Francis John Bolton at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 8th November 1878.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK and JOHN STANDFIELD, both of No. 6, Westminster
Chambers, Victoria Street, and FRANCIS JOHN BOLTON, of 19, Grosvenor Gardens,
both in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING
SUNKEN VESSELS AND OTHER SUBMERGED BODIES."
In the Specifications to Patents granted to Josiah L. Clark and John Standfield
on the 12th Jany. 1877, No. 170, and on the 12th March 1877, No. 985, are
described means for raising and floating vessels by the use of a pontoon dock
provided with flexible bags that can be inflated so as to press against and grip the
body of the vessel which can then be raised or moved in conjunction with the
dock. This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus of this kind, whereby
it is rendered more manageable and more easily adjustable for application to the
raising of sunken vessels or submerged bodies, such as rocks or obstructions. In
many cases, as in raising a submerged rock, a single apparatus might be used,
whereas for raising a vessel of some length two or more might be required, each
single apparatus which may be termed a " camel being of the following
description. It consists of a rectangular airtight vessel or hollow body, which may
Price 6d1
"

page_text: For
be termed the "back" of the camel made of plates rivetted together and preferably
divided into watertight compartments, or made in sections which can be added or
removed according as it is required to be of greater or less width or span. This
back is surmounted by a cylinder or dome of sufficient capacity to give flotation to
the whole apparatus, and of sufficient strength to withstand pressure exceeding that
of the greatest depth of water in which the apparatus is employed. At each end of
the back of the camel at the lower edge thereof is hinged a "jaw," which is a
wedge-shaped vessel divided into compartments to each of which there is a com-
municating pipe. The two jaws can be folded on their hinges so that the one
overlaps the other under the back of the camel, their wedge shape permitting them
when so folded together to appear as a rectangular barge surmounted by the back
and its dome, and in this condition the apparatus is seaworthy and can be floated
out in comparatively shallow water, and with safety in a seaway to the place where
it is employed. The jaws can also be turned downwards on their hinges so as to
extend vertically down from the back like the two limbs of an inverted U, and
they can be adjusted to converge downwards and so held by wood or other blocking
introduced between their upper parts and the ends of the back to which they are
hinged. To the interior faces of the jaws are attached strong flexible airtight bags
faced with curtains of chainwork, and these bags are provided with pipes by which
they can be inflated with air, or water, or with both, and are furnished with safety
valves loaded to a pressure below that which the bags can properly sustain.
raising a sunken vessel of moderate size two camels are generally sufficient, and the
operation is conducted as follows:-The camels with their jaws folded up are
towed to their positions over the vessel, one forward, and the other aft. The jaws
are then unfolded downwards by admitting water into their compartments, and
afterwards water is admitted into the compartments of the camel little more than
sufficient to sink it. Should the vessel be lying in an inclined position, the one
side of the camel can be loaded or lightened more than the other, so as to give
the jaws a corresponding inclination. The camel is then lowered till its jaws
enclose the width of the vessel between them. If in consequence of sand silted
up at the side of the vessel either of the jaws is prevented from sinking to the
required depth, streams of water are forced by pumping out of holes or slits
provided at the lower edge of the jaw, so as to clear away the impediment and
permit the jaw to sink. When the jaws are in position, one on each side of the
vessel, with their lower edges well below the level of the vessel's bilge, the bags are
inflated with water, and also with a little air to give elasticity, and when thus
distended they with their facing of chain curtains accommodate themselves to the
form of the vessel, causing it to be grasped tightly between the jaws. By forcing
air into the compartments of the camel sufficient water is ejected therefrom to give
the required. buoyancy for floating up the vessel, which then held as it is in the
grip of the camels can be towed with them to shallow water, or into a dock or tidal
basin. The pressure in the bags being then relieved, the camel can be detached
from the vessel and towed away. When the camels are raising a vessel the excess
of pressure within the bag relieves itself by the safety valves above-mentioned.
For raising a sunken rock or other obstruction a single camel may in many cases
suffice, it being worked in the same manner as has been described for raising a
vessel, but in order to avoid injury to the bags it is desirable for this application of
the apparatus to face the bags with strong iron bent bars hinged above to the back
of the camel; these bars or claws being by the distension of the bags pressed
against the sides of the rock and partly under it.
When the substance to be removed is soft, such as sand, earth, or clay, we so
construct the machine that the jaws meet entirely and form a large scoop or
dredger, which seizes the material in its grip and closes upon it; the machine is
then raised and towed to the desired position, and by allowing the jaws to open, the
material is deposited.
For raising sunken or stranded vessels from sandbanks, bars, rocks, or any other

page_text: position in which they may have become fixed we employ U shaped camels, which
embrace the bow and stern of a vessel horizontally in the same manner as a boot is
gripped by a bootjack. The camels are constructed of iron or other suitable
material, and their inner faces are provided with air blocking which enables them
to adjust themselves, and to fit under the bow and stern of vessels of any shape or
form. These camels are lowered into position and the air blocking inflated in the
manner already described. They are in some cases provided with hinges to admit
of their folding up so as to be readily towed; and they may also be provided with
domes to ensure. their retaining a vertical position during the operation of lowering
and to give increased lifting power.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Josiah Latimer Clark, John Standfield, & Francis John Bolton in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th May 1879.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK and JOHN STANDFIELD, both of No. 6, Westminster
Chambers, Victoria Street, and FRANCIS JOHN BOLTON, of 19, Grosvenor Gardens, both
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING SUNKEN
VESSELS AND OTHER SUBMERGED BODIES."
In the Specifications to Patents granted to Josiah Latimer Clark and John
Standfield, on the 12th January 1877, No. 170, and on the 12th March 1877,
No. 985, are described means for raising and floating vessels by the use of a
pontoon dock provided with flexible bags that can be inflated, so as to press against
and grip the body of the vessel, which can then be raised or moved in conjunction
with the dock. This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus of this kind
whereby it is rendered more manageable and more easily adjustable for application
to the raising of sunken vessels or submerged bodies, such as rocks or obstructions.
In many cases, as in raising a submerged rock, a single apparatus might be used,
whereas for raising a vessel of some length two or more might be required,
each single apparatus which may be termed a "camel" being of the following
description. It consists of a rectangular airtight vessel or hollow body which may
be termed the "back" of the camel made of plates rivetted together and pre-
ferably divided into water tight compartments or made in sections, which can be
added or removed according as it is required to be of greater or less width or span.
This back is surmounted by a cylinder or dome of sufficient capacity to give
floatation to the whole apparatus, and of sufficient strength to withstand pressure
exceeding that of the greatest depth of water in which the apparatus is employed.
At each end of the back of the camel at the lower edge thereof is hinged a
"jaw," which is a wedge shaped vessel divided into compartments to each of which
there is a communicating pipe. The two jaws can be folded on their hinges so that
the one overlaps the other under the back of the camel, their wedge shape per-
mitting them when so folded together to appear as a rectangular barge surmounted
by the back and its dome, and in this condition the apparatus is seaworthy and
can be floated out in comparatively shallow water, and with safety in a seaway
to the place where it is employed. The jaws can also be turned downwards on
their hinges so as to extend vertically down from the back like the two limbs of
an inverted U, and they can be adjusted to converge downwards, and so held by
wood or other blocking introduced between their upper parts and the ends of
the back to which they are hinged. To the interior faces of the jaws are attached
strong flexible airtight bags faced with curtains of chain work, and these bags are
provided with pipes by which they can be inflated with air, or water, or with both,
and are furnished with safety valves loaded to a pressure. below that which the
bags can properly sustain. For raising a sunken vessel of moderate size two camels
are generally sufficient, and the operation is conducted as follows:-The camels
with their jaws folded up are towed to their positions over the vessel, one forward,
and the other aft. The jaws are then unfolded downwards by admitting water
into their compartments, and afterwards water is admitted into the compartments
of the camel a little more than sufficient to sink it. Should the vessel be lying in
an inclined position, the one side of the camel can be loaded or lightened more
than the other, so as to give the jaws a corresponding inclination. The camel is
then lowered till its jaws enclose the width of the vessel between them. If in
consequence of sand silted up at the side of the vessel, either of the jaws is
prevented from sinking to the required depth, streams of water are forced by
pumping out of holes or slits provided at the lower edge of the jaw, so as to
clear away the impediment and permit the jaw to sink. When the jaws are in
position, one on each side of the vessel, with their lower edges well below the level

page_text: of the vessel's bilge, the bags are inflated with water and also with a little air to
give elasticity, and when thus distended they with their facing of chain curtains
accommodate themselves to the form of the vessel, causing it to be grasped tightly
between the jaws. By forcing air into the compartments of the camels sufficient
water is ejected therefrom to give the required buoyancy for floating up the vessel,
which then held as it is in the grip of the camels can be towed with them to
shallow water or into a dock or tidal basin. The pressure in the bags being then
relieved, the camels can be detached from the vessel and towed away. When the
camels are raising a vessel, the excess of pressure within the bag relieves itself by
the safety valves above-mentioned.
For raising a sunken rock or other obstruction a single camel may in most cases
suffice, it being worked in the same manner as has been described for raising a
vessel; but in order to avoid injury to the bags it is desirable for this application
of the apparatus to face the bags with strong iron bent bars hinged above to the
back of the camel; these bars or claws being by the distension of the bags pressed
against the sides of tho. rock and partly under it.
When the substance to be removed is soft, such as sand, earth, or clay, we so
construct the machine that the jaws meet entirely and form a large scoop or
dredger, which seizes the material in its grip and closes upon it; the machine is
then raised and towed to the desired position, and by allowing the jaws to open
the material is deposited.
For raising stranded or sunken vessels from sandbanks, bars, rocks, or any other
position in which they may have become fixed we employ U shaped camels, which
embrace the bow and stern of a vessel horizontally in the same manner as a boot is
gripped by a bootjack. These camels are constructed of iron or other suitable
material, and their inner faces are provided with air blocking which enables them
to adjust themselves and to fit under the bow and stern of vessels of any shape
or form. These camels are lowered into position and the air blocking inflated
in the manner already described. They are in some cases provided with hinges
to admit of their folding up so as to be readily towed, and they may also be
provided with domes to ensure their retaining a vertical position during the
operation of lowering, and to give increased lifting power..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 shews a section of the camel in the act of gripping a vessel; A is the
dome; B, the body, and C, C, the jaws which are hinged to the body at D, D;
Fig. 2 shews the camel folded up in the form of a barge so as to be readily towed
from place to place. The interior is stiffened by bulkheads and struts as shewn in
Fig. 1; E, E, are the air bags which are protected from strain and injury by the
steel jointed curtains F, F; H, H, Fig. 2, represent lengthening pieces which can
be added to the back or body of the camel so as to grip vessels of varying beam;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the camel applied to raise a sunken rock, in which
case the bags E are protected by bent irons J. The air or water is forced into the
bags E, E, and into the compartments of the camel by pumps placed in an
attendant steamer through flexible pipes, such as are shewn at K, K, Fig. 3, the
operation being performed as described above and in the Specifications above
referred to.
The camels as applied to the bow and stern of a vessel as shewn in Figs. 4, 5,
and 6: Fig. 4 is a plan; Fig. 5, a side view; and Fig. 6, a transverse section.
A pair of these camels are applied one at the bow and the other to the stern of the
vessel. The body of each camel consists of two halves B and B₁ jointed together
by a hinge so as to enable the camel to grip the vessel, and also to enable it to be
folded up for towing into the form shewn in plan at Fig. 8; when the vessel is
being gripped the two halves are prevented from opening apart by tension bars
M, M, Fig. 4; and they may be further lashed together by chains so as to with-
stand the strain caused by the inflation of the air bags; Fig. 7 is a front view of

page_text: the camel opened ready to put on a vessel. These camels may be used either alone
for lightening both ends of a vessel when stranded, or in conjunction with the
gripping camels previously described for raising a vessel from deep water. The
domes A, A, are usually made of iron, but they may if preferred be made of flexible
material, such as india rubber, so as to be capable of collapsing, in which case they
are inflated when in use to a pressure greater than that to which they are subjected
externally.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we hereby declare that we make no general claim to the
raising or removal of sunken ships or other bodies by the use of hollow vessels
attached to them, and capable of being sunk or rendered buoyant by charging their
compartments with water or air, nor do we claim generally the use of flexible bags
capable of inflation for gripping the ship or vessel operated on, but we claim,-
First. The construction of camel, substantially as herein described with reference
to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings; the said camel consisting of a
dome and body part to which are hinged two folding jaws faced internally with
flexible bags.
Second. The construction of camel, substantially as herein described with
reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawings; the said camel
consisting of two similar parts hinged together at the end and faced internally with
flexible bags.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis John Bolton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by
the said Francis John Bolton
in the presence of
P. A. SCRATCHLEY,
21, Old Square,
Lincoln's Inn,
Barrister at Law.
F. J. BOLTON. (L.S.)