IMPROVEMENTS IN the FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Hirsch, of Craven Street, Charing Cross, in the
City of Westminster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN the FORM AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 30th June 1876, and dated the 7th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Hirsch at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th January 1876.
HERMANN HIRSCH, of Craven Street, Charing Cross, in the City of Westminster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS."
My Invention relates to the form and construction of ships and other vessels,
and consists in forming the submerged portion of the floating structure of duplex,
concave, and convex curves so as to represent in side view the figure of an
elongated (S) S. The outline of each half of the hull looking at A inverted
plan view will also present a similar figure, the straightened ends of the duplex
curved lines at their junction forming a cutwater for the head of the vessel
and running to fine lines at the stern. By this form of hull 1 provide a free flow
of water to the stern propeller and greatly increase the buoyancy and efficiency. of
the vessel.
I would remark that the sides of the structure may rise either perpendicularly
from the bottom lines or at a greater or less inclination in either direction, as
required by the character of vessel designed to be constructed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hermann Hirch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th July 1876.
HERMANN HIRSCH, of Craven Street, Charing Cross, in the City of Westminster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS."
This Invention relates to the construction of the submerged portions of navigable
structures of duplex (concave and convex) curves on either side of the keel or base
line, the objects being to give the vessel's bow a tendency to rise as it is propelled
through the water, and to enable the water displaced by the fore body of the vessel
[Price 6d.

page_text: to exert a lifting force on its passage underneath the bottom towards the stern
instead of presenting the retarding frictional surface to the after part of the hull as
heretofore.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn the application of my Invention
to two types of ships, viz., a merchant vessel and an armour-plated ship of war.
In Sheet I., Fig. 1 is a side elevation or sheer plan of a merchant vessel, shewing
the submerged portion or bottom thereof constructed with undulating curves
according to my Invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the stern end of the same,
shewing the cross sections of the after body; Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the
vessel, shewing the breadth of beam in excess of that of vessels of the ordinary
construction; Fig. 4 shews the bow of the vessel and the cross sections of the fore
body; Fig. 5 is a deck plan view, and Fig. 6 is a cross section in the line 1, 2,
of Fig. 1.
In Sheet II., Fig. 1 is a side view of an armour-plated ship, the submerged
portion of which is designed according to my Invention; Fig. 2 is the stern and
cross sections of the after body, shewing the vessel provided with inclined sides for
deflecting an enemy's shots; Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the hull; Fig. 4 is a
deck plan; Fig. 5 shews the bow of the vessel in elevation and the cross sections of
the fore body; Fig. 6 is a cross section in the line 1, 2, of Fig. 1.
In these Drawings the lines of the vessels are traced according to the practice of
the naval architect, and these Drawings, together with this written Specification,
will explain both the character and mode of carrying out my Invention; I would,
however, remark that the undulated curves may vary greatly without losing that
characteristic which permits of the attainment of the objects above stated, but I
prefer that the curved bilge line a, a, shall start from the level of the base line
forward, rise gradually to the height of the load or water line, and then gradually
descend to the level of the base line at the stern.
The form of bottom structure illustrated best at Figures 1, 2, and 3 in both
Sheets of the Drawings enables me to construct short broad vessels capable of the
speed now only attained by long narrow ones.
A further advantage derivable from my Invention, is increased strength with
reduced weight and cost of the hull.
Ships of this class will be free from the severe longitudinal strains to which long
vessels with fine lines are subject both in a sea way and in cases of grounding; they
will also steer more easily and be much handier in docks and harbours, will carry
more cargo on account of the decreased weight, particularly of the top, sides, and
stringers, and on account of the great beam which can be given without loss of
speed, thus enabling shipowners to carry out to their own advantage the require-
ments of the new Shipping Acts in a most effective and economical manner by
giving an ample margin of buoyancy and safety without increasing the height of
the ship's sides.
The novel form of hull is also well suited for light draught steamers on account
of the ease with which it can be handled in confined waters, and their great beam
and small draught.
For war vessels the advantages are still more prominent, as the short broad ship
has so much less exposed surface, and consequently less armour of greater thickness
can be used, and the facilities for manoeuvring are much greater than with the
present system.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in the
Form and Construction of Ships and other Vessels," and explained the manner of
'carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself
to the proportions of length, breadth, and depth, or freeboard shown, nor to the
manner of combining the bottom with the ordinary sides by a sharply defined line,
as it is suitable to a superstructure with either straight or curved sides inclined
inwards or outwards, and with any shape of bow and stern required by the character
of the vessel designed to be built; but what I do claim and desire to be secured to
pre under the above in part recited Letters Patent is the form of bottom undulated in

page_text: its longitudinal direction, as described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings,
and resulting from and produced by the combination of duplex concave and convex
curves, whereby the ship's bow will have a tendency to rise as it is propelled through
the water, and the water displaced by the fore body of the vessel will be enabled to
exert a lifting force on its passage to the stern instead of presenting a retarding
frictional surface to the after part of the hull.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Hirsch, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
HERMANN HIRSCH. (LS.)