A METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A PORTABLE SECTIONAL DRY DOCK AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1862

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Daniel Lancaster Banks at the
Office of the Commissioners of; Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
June 1862.
I, DANIEL LANCASTER BANKS, Engineer, the Roodee Iron Ship Building
'Company, Limited, No. 17, Gracechurch Street, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "A METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A PORTABLE SECTIONAL
DRY DOCK AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to facilitate the examination of and
repairing when required of the bottoms of ships or other vessels, or other
structures, when floating or in the water, or when out of the water. For
this purpose I construct' a' caisson of wood, iron, or other metal, and which I
prefer to be of the shape on two of its opposite sides of that of a right-angled
triangle, with the hypotenuse curving inwardly towards the right angle; thus
the side of the caisson opposite the right or largest angle following the lines
of the hypotenuse has a curved surface, and the other way it may be with
the other sides of the caisson an oblong and rectangular. Again, I establish
one of the two sides of the caisson, which contains the right angle, as a base
upon which I float or travel it. Upon the curved side of the caisson running
with the curve at any desired distance apart, or with sufficient space between
them, so that a man may conveniently work, I attach on their edges two
plates or ribs of suitable width, leaving a margin between the outer sides of

page_text: the plates and the outer edge of the side of the caisson. I connect the two
ends of the plates at the base end of the caisson by a cross plate, leaving a
similar margin outside of it;, thus the plates are continued round the three
sides of the caisson's curved side, leaving a margin. These plates may be
adjustable, and there may be change plates so as to be adapted to the various
shapes of different bodies along the outer edge of the plates. Along their
length I attach by means of bolts or revits vulcanised sheet india-rubber,
waterproofed leather, or canvass in folds, or other flexible material. The india-
rubber may be supported by chain, rope, or metallic rods, or other means in
resisting the pressure of the water water; upon the outward edge of the india-
rubber may be a pipe or tube of the same material, closed at the ends, and filled
with air, water, cotton waste, or other yielding substance; or the india-rubber
may be edged with thrumed matting; to the pipe at the back opposite the margin
I attach iron or other metallic pressure plates or wooden battens, the edges
and plates so constructed that they may be adapted to the different shapes of
various bodies. Also on the curved side of the caisson, on the margin, I form
bosses, with bolt holes through them into the caisson. The holes are fitted
with strong set bolts and nuts. The bolts have stuffing boxes to keep them
water-tight, the bolts are worked from the inside of the caisson, the points are
connected to and act on the pressure plates attached to the pipes or other
edging of the india-rubber. I fix a pump in the caisson for the purpose of
pumping the water out of the dock or caisson, the partially enclosed space con-
tained by the curved side of the caisson and the plates on edge and cross plate
with the india india-rubber edging. This space, when dry, I call my portable
sectional dry dock. Again, I apply the dock with the india-rubber edging
towards that part of the vessel or other structure in. the water, upon which it
is desired to opperate, and attach the dock to the vessel. or other structure by
means of ropes, chains, or other means. I then set the pipes or other edging
against the vessel by means of the set bolts acting on the pressure plates, and
bring the pipes or edging to a joint; the water may then be pumped out of
the dock, and thus will be laid dry that part of the vessel's bottom to which
the dock is opposite or attached; the desired opperations may then proceed.
Sheaves may be fixed on the caisson in suitable frames, for the purpose of
guiding the ropes, and easing their haul. Also wheels may be fixed in frames
and bearings, and suitably mounted on the sides of the caisson to facilitate
its movement along the side of the vessel. Also there may be an air-heating
furnace, with the necessary pipes for conducting the air into the dock, to be
applied for the purpose of drying the the vessel. Also pipes may be used for
the passage of liquids or other articles. Also speaking tubes may be used for

page_text: the purpose of communicating between the vessel, dock, and caisson; also a
capstan, windlass, or other hoisting tackle may be attached to the caisson or
dock; also to assist the men to descend into the dock, and ascend out of it,
steps or projections may be attached to its sides. Also I fix strong lenses
into the sides of the caisson or dock where necessary, for lighting them,
sometimes a lamp or other convenient light may be used. The caisson may
be constructed with cellular compartments in the sides and bottom, or it may
be divided by bulkheads. Also the caisson may be mounted upon wheels,
and have a line of rail or roadway underneath it at the bottom of the water
for the wheels to run upon. Also it may be moored to anchors.
In constructing sectional docks according to this my Invention, one or more
caissons may be used, and the sectional dry dock dock may be any fractional
part of a dock. Also the whole or any part of the ironwork of the dock may
be galvanised as required; and also the dock may be used as required.