IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Chapman Bagot, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Flat Proprietor, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS."
Sealed the 19th July 1864, and dated the 22nd January 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Chapman Bagot
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd January 1864.
I, HENRY CHAPMAN BAGOT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Flat Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in constructing ships, both those with timber
and those with iron frames, with planking of split wood instead of using sawn
or other tool prepared wood, cut more or less across the grain.
Secondly, where double planking is used in the construction of ships, either
those with iron or timber frames, in securing the outer to the inner planking
by metal or other screws passed through the inner planking (after it has been
screwed to the frames) and into the outer planking. In this manner a timber
surface only is in contact with the water, an object of great importance in
canals and waters near to chemical works of different kinds, of course more
than two thicknesses of planking might be used.
And, thirdly, in constructing ships with the bottoms, sides, and decks

page_text: composed principally of double planking, placed diagonally. The vertical and
transverse frames ordinarily used being dispensed with, and longitudinal
frames either of iron or wood substituted to tie, stiffen, and strengthen the
said diagonal planking, or it may here be termed the hull of the vessel. The
split wood mentioned under the above first head, and the mode of fastening
planking mentioned under the above second bead, I prefer to use in con-
structing or building ships of this kind. For canal and coasting vessels this
construction is very suitable, but it is more especially adapted for that class of
flats or lighters carrying cargo on deck, the bottoms can be made flat or
nearly so, and the sides formed in position at or about right angles thereto.
The bottom of a vessel can be secured (mostly if not entirely from the inside)
to the sides, and the sides to the deck by corner longitudinal pieces or frames
of wood or iron. ⚫
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Chapman Bagot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd July 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
CHAPMAN BAGOT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Flat Proprietor,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Henry Chapman Bagot, Her special licence that I, the said
Henry Chapman Bagot, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Henry Chapman Bagot, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry Chapman Bagot, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office

page_text: within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Chapman Bagot, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say):-
My Invention consists, firstly, in constructing ships, both those with timber
and those with iron frames, with planking of split wood instead of using sawn
or other tool prepared wood cut more or less across the grain.
Secondly, where double planking is used in the construction of ships, either
those with iron or timber frames, in securing the outer to the inner planking
by metal or other screws passed through the inner planking (after it has been
secured to the frames) and into the outer planking. In this manner a timber
surface only is in contact with the water, an object of great importance in
canals and waters near to chemical works of different kinds. Of course more
than two thicknesses of planking night be used.
And, thirdly, in constructing ships with the bottoms, sides, and decks
composed principally of double planking placed diagonally, the vertical and
transverse frames ordinarily used being dispensed with, and longitudinal frames
either of iron or wood substituted to tie, stiffen, and strengthen the said
diagonal planking, or it may here be termed the hull of the vessel. The
split wood mentioned under the above first head, and the mode of fastening
planking mentioned under the above second head I prefer to use in
constructing or building ships of this kind.
this construction is very suitable, but it is
class of flats or lighters carrying cargo on
flat or nearly so, and the sides formed in
thereto. The bottom of a vessel can be secured (mostly if not entirely from
the inside) to the sides, and the sides to the deck by corner longitudinal
pieces or frames of wood or iron.
For canal and coasting vessels
more especially adapted for that
deck; the bottoms can be made
position at or about right angles
That my Invention may be clearly understood I have hereunto attached a
Sheet of Drawings illustrative of the second and third parts of my improve-
ments combined in a flat or lighter suitable for carrying cargo on deck.
Fig. 1 being a side elevation; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section shewing the
internal arrangement of parts of one of the sides; Fig. 3 a plan view when
the deck is removed; Fig. 4 a plan view of the deck turned over; Fig 5 an
end elevation; Fig. 6 a transverse midship section drawn to a larger scale;
and Fig. 7 a transverse section looking on the bow at about the line A, B.
The said flat or lighter shewn has a flat bottom and nearly vertical sides.

page_text: In all the views like letters are marked on and used to distinguish the same
parts. The longitudinal frames, for convenience of reference, I have divided
into keelsons, here shewn made of timber. a, bilge' or bottom corner angle
pieces of iron; b, side stringers of timber; c, upper corner or deck angle
pieces of iron d, and ties of timber'e; these several parts are shewn secured
to the inner planking or planks f, and to the outer planking or planks g by
the same screws h passed from the inside, but not outwards, through the outer
planking or planks g. In ordinary practice it would be convenient to fasten
the inner planking or planks f by bolts, rivets, nails, screws, or other fastenings
to the longitudinal frames prior to the outer planking or planks g being put
on, but in any case, whether the screws are passed from the inner to the outer
planking, after the said inner planking has been secured to the frames, or are
passed through the frames into both plankings at the same time, the outer is
only secured to the inner planking after such inner planking has been
fastened to the frames. Each and every plank in this arrangement is secured
by a considerable number of screws forced thereinto, and as the inner and
outer planks lie in opposite diagonal directions, the dotted lines on the
Drawings show the landings or seams of the inner planking. A vessel
constructed in this way is not only stiff and strong, but is usefully water-tight
without frequent repair. h are deck stanchions of timber, the ends of which
are notched to fit over the kelson a and deck tie e; i are iron bands to keep
the timber from splitting; ; are diagonal ties. Where boats of this kind are
constructed for carrying cargo in a hold formed therein, dotted lines in Fig. 1
shew a hold, deck beams or ties might be necessary, but these could easily be
fitted in when the hatchways were being made. k, are iron angle pieces at
stem and stern for keeping, by screws, the ends of the sides together; 7 are
timber protecting pieces, one of which acts as a cutwater, and the other for
supporting the rudder m.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and shewn, where
practicable, Drawings of a ship or navigable vessel constructed according to
my Invention, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to all
the details shewn on the Drawings, as many modifications may be made
without departing from my improvements. What I claim as the Invention
secured to me by Provisional Protection, is,―
Firstly, constructing or building ships or navigable vessels with the
planking or skin of split wood, the surfaces of which may be "dressed up."
Secondly, constructing or building ships or navigable vessels; wherein
double planking is employed, by fastening the inner and outer planking or
planks together from the inside through the inner planking, into, but not

page_text: through the outer planking, substantially by the means and in the manner
herein described and shewn on the Drawings.
And, thirdly, constructing or building ships or navigable vessels with
longitudinal frames and double diagonal planking, substantially as herein
described and shewn on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Chapman Bagot, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
In the presence of
JOHN THOMSON KING,
Patent Agent,
4, Clayton Square,
Liverpool.
HENRY CHAPMAN BAGOT. (LS.)