A New or Improved Process and Composition for the Covering and Preservation from Rust of Exposed Iron Work.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
A New or Improved Process and Composition for the Covering and
Preservation from Rust of Exposed Iron Work.
I, KENNETH BLIGH SKEET, of West Gate, Chichester, Sussex, Chief Officer
(holding Master's Certificate) of the s.s. 'Roddam," do hereby declare the naturo
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to a new or improved process and composition for the
covering and preservation from rust of exposed ironwork and is particularly applic-
able as a covering for the iron decks and arches of steamers and other vessels,
ballast tanks, and iron bridges and girders, being far superior to the paint or
coating of tar and sand now generally used. It wears better, looks better, and
is much cheaper than paint. Further, it has but little weight so that although
the coatings of the deck (in the case of vessels) should be a quarter of an inch
thick yet there is practically no extra weight, and consequently cargo is not shut
out, as it is when successive coats of other coverings are applied.
The composition has elastic qualities and expands and contracts to suit climatic
changes and the heat or otherwise generated by the cargo, and salt water rather
improves the surface than otherwise. It is easily applied and can be done by the
ship's crew whilst at sea.
The process or composition consists of the application to the deck and other iron
surface (which has been previously freed from rust) of a coat of best coal tar put
on with a brush and rubbed well in, on which is immediately sprinkled by means
of a sieve, or in any other suitable manner, a special dry powdered substance,
which I have discovered is particularly applicable for the purpose, in the form
of a peculiar kind of carbon, a bye product, (obtained from the accumulation of
the burnt or partially burnt coal dust and smoky deposits in the smoke boxes
of marine and other engines) which has hitherto always been regarded as useless
and has been thrown away, but which, as the result of experiments I have made,
I find, when combined with the coal tar, forms a light and elastic protective
coating in nowise affected by damp, heat or cold.
In practice I have found that in the case of the primary application of my
improved composition to exposed ironwork which is subjected to traffic and climatic
changes, and the wear and tear of heavy bodies of water such as applies in the
case of heavy seas working about the decks of a ship, the first coating is best
applied when the decks are dry and hot and then freely covered with the dry
special substance, before referred to, which is sifted on so as to completely cover
the tar, it being freely applied and well rubbed in, so that the surface can be
immediately walked upon or rolled as desired. This coat should be well trodden
in and left for three or four days before applying the second coat, when all the
loose material should be rinsed off with water but handled lightly with the broom.
The second coat can be applied as soon as the surface is thoroughly dry. After
this coat is properly worked in the deck can be used and scrubbed and considered
properly coated, care being taken to prevent the sharp edges of the hatches and
deck fittings from lying on and by their weight sinking into and marking the

page_text: coating when first applied. In order to maintain the coating in good condition
I apply a fresh coat say about every four months in any temperature provided
the deck is dry. Ordinary downpours of rain will not affect the coating two or
three hours after it is freshly put on.
When it is desired to apply my improved rust preventing coating or composition
to ship's water, ballast tanks, which are continually damp, to upright structures
where there is no traffic or wear, and in fact to any exposed ironwork surface
the ingredients I employ viz. the coal tar and the special dry powdered substance,
before referred to, are first combined or mixed together in the required proportions
in the form of a paint and to such a consistency that the composition or mixture
is just workable with a brush or wad and is preferably put on when hot, the iron-
work if damp being first wiped dry before the composition is applied. Any holes
cut or worn in the coating of the deck or exposed ironwork can be repaired by
applying this mixture, and then sprinkling a little of the before referred to dry
substance thereupon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The process and composition herein described for the covering and preser-
vation from rust of exposed ironwork consisting in first coating the surface with
coal tar and the sprinkling thereon in the manner set forth of a special dry pow-
dered substance in the form of carbon obtainable from the accumulation of burnt
or partially burnt coal dust and deposits in the smoke boxes of marine and other
engines substantially as and for the purposes specified.
2. A new or improved composition for the covering and preservation from rust
of exposed ironwork consisting of the admixture and use with coal tar of a special
dry powdered substance in the form of carbon obtainable from the accumulation
of coal dust and deposits in the smoke boxes of marine and other engines substan-
tially in the manner and for the purposes specified.
Data : 20th love of Iwung 1808
T. B. BROWNE LIMITED,
Agents for the Applicant, 163, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
The Common Seal of T. B. Browne Limited was affixed hereto in the
presence of
JAMES WANN, Director.
GEO. W. DOVER, Secretary.