IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING SHIPS OR VESSELS, OR OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED SURFACES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Lumsden Thomson, of Fenchurch Street, in the
City of London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING SHIPS
OR VESSELS, OR OTHER SUBMERGED OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED SURFACES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Lumsden Thomson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th August 1881.
BENJAMIN LUMSDEN THOMSON, of Fenchurch Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING SHIPS OR VESSELS, OR OTHER SUBMERGED OR
PARTIALLY SUBMERGED SURFACES."
My Invention has for its object chiefly the protection of the outer surface of iron
ships or vessels from corrosion, fouling, or deterioration, but it is also applicable to
the inner surface of such ships or vessels for security against bilge water, and the
drainage, leakage, or moisture arising from certain descriptions of cargo, and also
to wooden ships or vessels, and other wholly or partially submerged surfaces, and
the object of my Invention is effected by covering the surface to be protected with
vitreous plates of copper, zinc, yellow metal, or other similar metals or alloys with
the interposition between such plates and the surface to be protected of certain
improved materials, as hereinafter described, which will have the effect (in the case
of iron ships or vessels) of preventing galvanic action between the metal of the
protecting plates and iron.
In carrying out my Invention I coat, cover, or vitrify either the outer side or
both the outer and the inner sides of the protecting plates with silica or glass of a
thickness equal to that adopted in what are known as Thomson's vitreous ship-
sheathing plates, after which I cover the plates on the side, which is intended to
form the inner side with canvas, cloth, or other textile fabric, paper (of any
description or stoutness), or thin asphalte, the material selected being cut into
sheets of the requisite shapes and sizes, and immersed in or thoroughly impregnated

page_text: with a solution of prepared india rubber, gutta percha, pitch, tar, asphalte, ozokerite
(or what is termed Jews' pitch), or any other glutinous substance, or of any suitable
mixture, or combination of such substances.
The same materials and substances may also be applied to the bulls of ships or
to other surfaces in attaching the plates to the same. The plates may be fixed to
the sides of the vessel or other body by nails, screws, rivets, or adhesive substances;
but I prefer to employ a kindred solution to that used for impregnating the
interposed material, as hereinbefore described.
I may employ my vitreous iron plates in combination with the copper or yellow
metal plates herein before described, and connect the same together by continuous
bands interlocking joints.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Benjamin Lumsden Thomson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 17th February 1882.
BENJAMIN LUMSDEN THOMSON, of Fenchurch Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTING SHIPS OR VESSELS OR OTHER SUBMERGED OR
PARTIALLY SUBMERGED SURFACES."
My Invention has for its object chiefly the protection of the outer surface of
iron ships or vessels from corrosion, fouling, or deterioration, but it is also
applicable to the inner surface of such ships or vessels for security against bilge
water, and the drainage, leakage, or moisture arising from certain descriptions
of cargo, and also to wooden ships or vessels, and other wholly or partially sub-
merged surfaces, and the object of my Invention is effected by covering the surface
to be protected with vitreous plates of copper, zinc, yellow metal, or other similar
metals or alloys, with the interposition between such plates and the surface to be
protected of certain improved materials, as hereinafter described, which will have
the effect (in the case of iron ships or vessels) of preventing galvanic action between
the metal of the protecting plates and iron.
In carrying out my Invention I coat, cover, or vitrify the inner side of the
protecting plates with silica or glass, of a thickness equal to that adopted in what
are known as Thomson's vitreous ship sheathing plates, after which I cover the
plates on the side which is intended to form the inner side with canvas, cloth, or
other textile fabric, paper (of any description or stoutness), or thin asphalte, the
material selected being cut into sheets of the requisite shapes and sizes, and
immersed in or thoroughly impregnated with a solution of prepared indiarubber,
gutta percha, pitch, tar, asphalte, ozokerite (or what is termed Jews' pitch) or any
other glutinous substance, or of any suitable mixture or combination of such
substances.
The same materials and substances may also be applied to the hulls of ships or
to other surfaces in attaching the plates to the same. The plates may be fixed to
the side of the vessel or other body by nails, screws, rivets, or adhesive substances;
but I prefer to employ a kindred solution to that used for impregnating the
interposed material, as hereinbefore described.
I
may also interpose between the outer protecting plates and the hull of the
ship thin vitrified iron plates, which may be carried up or extended to any desired
height.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
Protecting ships, or vessels, or other submerged or partially submerged surfaces,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Lumsden Thomson, have to this
my Specification, set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of February,
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness to the signature of
Benjamin Lumsden Thomson,
HENRY E. HEWETT.
BEN. L. THOMSON. (L.S.)