Improvements in Floating Vessels.
Year: 1892

page_text: .
Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Floating Vessels.
I, ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, a citizen of the United States of America, and
residing at Duluth, in the County of St. Louis, and State of Minnesota, one of the
United States, aforesaid, Ship Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the
invention to be as follows:-
My present invention relates particularly to various new and useful improvements
in those vessels heretofore invented by me and known by the designation of "Whale-
backs."
«
The vessels are of two general classes, known particularly as
barges" and
"steam-boats," and which differ from one another only in the fact, that the latter
class of vessels are provided with mechanism for propelling them, and also with
a capacious cabin for accommodating the officers and passengers. So far as the
hulls are concerned, the two varieties of vessels are practically the same. These
hulls consist generally of steel plates secured to transverse ribs, and the sides
thereof are parallel, both longitudinally and vertically. The top is curved, the
bottom is slightly rounded, the bow is spoon-shaped and the stern is skeaged in the
usual way to facilitate steering. It has been found that by reason of the high load
line of the boat it is difficult to pass with safety over the curved top, from one end
to the other, in heavy weather, since waves are liable to flow entirely over the
vessel. By means of the present improvement this objection is overcome, since a
perfectly safe and secure passage is offered for the crew in passing from the bow to
the stern. The present improvements also increase the efficiency of the vessel in
numerous other ways as I shall presently describe. Before beginning a description
of my present invention, it is to be understood, that I am not to be limited in any
way to the use thereof with the particular vessels to which I have before made
reference, since the improvements may be used in connection with other variety of
boats, provided either with curved or flat decks.
For a better comprehension of my invention attention is directed to the
accompanying drawings, forming a part of this Specification, and in which:
Figure 1, is a side elevation of one of my improved steam boats with the
improvements attached thereto;
Figure 2, a similar view of one of my improved barges, with the present
improvements;
Figure 3, is a similar view of a modified form of steam boat showing the present
improvements, and
Figure 4, a plan view of the tramway.
In all of the above views corresponding parts are designated by the same letters of
reference. The general features of the steam boat shown in Figure 1, and of the
barge illustrated in Figure 2, are the same in all respects as that which I have
before described.
The steam boat shown in Figure 3, however, differs from any vessel which has
been described before, in that the propelling mechanism and cabins are located at
or near the central portion of the boat. In this boat also, a wedged shaped or cut
away bow may be used instead of the spoon shaped bow. In other respects this
The three
particular boat is identical in all its features to that shown in Figure 1.
vessels shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, are also provided with stern turrete, for
entering the interior of the after part of the hull, as in the cases of the said
"whale backs." The two steam boats shown in Figures 1 and 3, are also provided
with cabins, supported on large turrets, which features have also been described in
prior Patents.

page_text: The principal features of my present invention are the smaller turrets a, a, a,
which extend up from the top of the vessel and are of the same height as the larger
turrets.
These small turrets are arranged at suitable distances apart, and these small
turrets are of the same construction, and are secured to the top of the vessel in
substantially the same way as the large turrets. These small turrets a, a, are
secured to the deck between the hatches, so as not to interfere with the loading and
unloading of the boat. The principal use to which I put these small turrets is to
support a suitable passage way to enable the crew to pass in safety from one end of the
boat to the other, as I shall presently describe, but these small turrets also serve
many other useful purposes, which further tend to increase the efficiency of the
boat. These small turrets may be used primarily to support suitable masts b, b, as
shown in the drawings.
These masts pass down through a suitable hole formed in the top of the small
turrets a, a, and engage with an ordinary step on the top of the vessel, or on an
intermediate deck. On these masts sails can be mounted, which are to be of any
appropriate construction. For simplicity, however, ordinary "leg o' mutton
sails are preferable. These sails, when not in use may be rolled up, and stored
away within said small turrets, for which purpose the said turrets are well adapted,
being water tight and readily accessible. The sails when stored, will be kept
always in good condition, and within easy reach. The masts before referred to
may be a permanent attachment to the boat, for the reason that they will not
interfere in any way with the loading and unloading and operation of the vessel,
and in this event the said masts may be strengthened, if desired, by means of the
usual shrouds and stays, but in view of the rigid support which the said small
turrets give to the masts, the use of such shrouds and stays, becomes less necessary.
By making use of numerous short masts, and many small sails, additional security
and advantage are obtained, since a small sail is less liable to be blown away than
a large sail, and a small sail is handled with greater ease and facility than a large
sail. The masts, when a permanent fixture, may be used in loading and unloading
of the boat by mounting a boom on each, carrying a block and tackle in the usual
way. These booms may be swung from the dock over the hatchways, carrying the
cargo; and thereby greatly facilitating the loading and unloading of the boat.
These small turrets a, a, a, also serve a very useful purpose when the vessel is
'used in the transportation of grain and other similar bulk cargoes, which settle
materially under the movements of the boat. The vessel is filled entirely with
such cargo, and the small turrets are also filled, and connect with the hold of the
vessel. When the grain or other cargo settles under the movements of the boat,
this material will flow more or less out of the small turrets, so that the hold will be
always kept entirely full. In this way, the possibility of the cargo shifting is
done away with.
In the case of a vessel for carrying oil, or any other liquid, which expands under
the effect of heat, the small turrets also serve for effective use, since being connected
with the interior of the boat, they will allow for any expansion of the oil. These
small turrets may also be used for loading such a boat with oil, the loading tube
being simply passed down through the same, as in ordinary oil boats. In oil boats
it is desirable to divide the boat up into a number of compartments or tanks, each
of which may communicate with each of the small turrets a, a. By thus dividing
the boat into tanks, or compartments and by providing each tank with one of the
small turrets above the same, a greater or less quantity of oil can be carried, with
one or more tanks, entirely full at all times, irrespective of the expansion of the
oil. It will be understood that one turret may serve for two compartments.
In addition to the above uses, the small turrets a, a, serve to support a passage
way e, on which the crew may pass in safety from one end of the boat to the other,
entirely clear of the wash of the sea over the vessel. This passage way can be of
a number of constructions; all of which are intended to be covered and embraced
herein. The said passage way may be made of metal plates, secured to suitable

page_text: supporting irons, so as to form a permanent fixture to the boat. Such a passage
way will be very strong and durable, and in many connections, will not interfere
with the loading and unloading of the boat. The said passage way, when made of
steel plates, secured to supporting irons, being rigidly mounted on the small turrets
above the deck, serves as a chord or truss, whereby the hull of the vessel will be
strengthened very materially in a longitudinal direction. In cases, where the use
of a permanent passage way might prove objectionable, it may be made in sections
reaching from turret to turret, to which the sections are to be attached in any
suitable manner.
Such a passage way, made in sections as I have just described,
will offer a safe passage for the crew, and one or more of its sections may be
removed at any time, so as to allow of free and uninterrupted access to any or all
of the hatches, for the purpose of loading and unloading. Instead of either of the
forms I have just described, a passage way made of rope netting, or some pliable
substance, may be used. This rope netting is to be stretched out in any suitable
way, so as to offer a firm and unmovable construction. The principal advantage of
this latter construction is that the rope netting just described may be quickly
removed, and rolled up so as to take up but little space when not in use, and if
need be it may be stored within the said small turrets. With any one of the three
forms of passage way before referred to, a railing d, d, on each side is to be used,
for the sake of safety. This railing consists of wire rope, passing through
stanchions in the usual way, or instead any other appropriate construction may
be substituted.
Dated this Fifth day of May A.D. 1892.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Floating Vessels.
I, ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, a citizen of the United States of North America,
and resident at Duluth, in the County of St. Louis, and State of Minnesota, one of
said United States, aforesaid, Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statenient and accompanying
drawings:
The present improvement is intended to relate principally to those vessels
heretofore invented by me, and known generally as "Whale-backs," but the
description hereinafter following is not to be so restricted, since there are parts of
my present improvements which can be advantageously applied to other varieties
and types of ships, and the scope of this invention is to be so construed. The said
"whale-back" vessels, are of two general classes, known particularly as barges
and steam boats or steam barges, and which differ from one another only in the
fact that the latter class of vessels are provided with mechanism for propelling
them, and also with a capacious cabin for accomodating the officers, and whatever
passengers are to be carried. So far as the hulls are concerned, these two varieties
of vessels are practically the same. The hull thereof, is usually constructed of
steel plates, which are riveted to transverse ribs. In shape, the sides of the hull
are parallel, or approximately so, both horizontally and vertically; the top is
curved, the bottom is slightly rounded, the bow is either spoon-shaped, or of the
ordinary wedge or cut-away form, and the stern is skeaged in the usual way to
facilitate the proper steering of the vessel. It has been found, that by reason of
the high load line of the boat, that it is difficult to pass in safety over the curved
top from one end of the vessel to the other, especially in heavy weather, since
waves are liable to flow entirely over the vessel. By means of the present
improvement this objection is overcome, since a perfectly safe and secure passage

page_text: is offered to the crew in passing from the bow to the stern. The present improve-
ments also increase the efficiency of the vessel in numerous other ways, as I shall
presently describe.
Before beginning a description of my present invention it is to be understood
that I am not to be limited to the particular type of vessels to which reference is
made above, since the improvement may be used in connection with other varieties
of boats, provided either with flat or curved decks, and wherein the necessity of
my improvement will be obvious.
For a better comprehension of my said invention attention is directed to the
drawings, wherein :
Figure 1, is a side view of one of my improved steam boats or steam-barges, with
the present improvements thereon.
Figure 2, a side view of one of my improved barges, with the present improve-
ments.
Figure 3, a similar view of a modified form of steam boat or steam barge,
illustrating the present improvements.
Figure 4, a cross sectional view of Figure 2, and
Figure 5, a plan view of Figure 1.
In all of the above views corresponding parts are designated by the same letters
of reference.
The general features of the steam boat or steam barge shown in Figure 1, and of
the barge illustrated in Fig. 2, are the same in all respects, as those which I have
referred to above.
"
The steam boat or steam barge shown in Figure 3, however, differs from any
vessel which has been described before, in that the propelling mechanism and
cabins are located at or near the central portion of the boat. In this boat also, a
wedge shaped or cut-away bow may be used instead of the spoon shaped bow,
shown in most of my whale-back vessels. In other respects this particular boat is
identical in all its features to that shown in Figure 1. The threc vessels shown in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are provided with stern turrets, for entering the interior of the
after part of the hull. The two steam-boats or steam-barges shown in Figs. 1
and 3, are also provided with cabins, supported on large turrets, which features
have also been described by me, prior to the present improvements.
The principal features of my present invention are the smaller turrets a. a. a.
which extend up from the top of the vessel, and are of the same heighth as the larger
turrets.
These smaller turrets are arranged at suitable distances apart, and are of the
same construction, and are secured to the top of the vessel in substantially the same
way as the large turrets. These small turrets a. a. a. are secured to the deck
between the hatches, so as not to interfere with the loading and unloading of the
boat. The principal use to which I put these small turrets is to support a suitable
passage way, to enable the crew to pass in safety from one end of the boat to the
other, as I shall presently describe, but these small turrets also serve many other
useful purposes, which further tend to increase the efficiency of the boat. These
small turrets may be used primarily to support suitable masts B B as shown in the
drawings.
These masts pass down through a suitable hole formed in the top of the small
turrets a. a., and engage with an ordinary step on the top of the vessel, or on an
intermediate deck. On these masts, sails can be mounted, which are to be of any
appropriate construction. For simplicity, however, ordinary leg-o'-mutton sails are
preferable. These sails, when not in use, may be rolled up, and stored away within
said small turrets, for which purpose the said turrets are well adapted, since they
are watertight and readily accessible. The sails, when thus stored, will be kept
always in good condition, and within easy reach. The masts before referred to,
may be a permanent attachment to the boat, for the reason that they will not
interfere in any way with the loading and unloading and operation of the vessel,

page_text: and in this event they may be strengthened, if desired, by means of the usual
shrouds and stays, but in view of the rigid support which the said small turrets give
to the masts, the use of such shrouds and stays, becomes less necessary, than with
ordinary masts.
By making use of numerous short masts, and many small sails, additional security
and advantage are obtained, since a small sail is less liable to be blown away than
a large sail, and a small sail is handled with greater ease and facility than a large
sail. The masts, when a permanent fixture, may be used in the loading and
unloading of the boat by mounting a boom on each, carrying a block and tackle in
the usual way. These booms may be swung from the deck over the hatchways,
carrying the cargo, thereby greatly facilitating the loading and unloading of
the boat.
The small turrets a. a. a. also serve a very useful purpose when the vessel is used
in the transportation of grain and other similar bulk cargoes, which settle materially
under the movements of the boat. The vessel is filled entirely with such cargo,
and the small turrets are also filled, and connect with the hold of the vessel. When
the grain or other cargo settles under the movements of the boat, this material will
flow more or less out of small turrets, so that the hold will be always kept entirely
full. In this way, the possibility of the cargo shifting is done away with.
In the case of a vessel for carrying oil, or any other liquids, which expand under
the effect of heat, the small turrets also serve for effective use, since being
connected with the interior of the boat, they will allow for any expansion of the
oil. These small turrets may also be used for loading such a boat with oil, the
loading tube being simply passed down through the same, as in ordinary oil boats.
In oil boats, it is desirable to divide the boat up into a number of compartments or
tanks, each of which may communicate with one of the small turrets a. a.
By thus
dividing the boat into tanks, or compartments, and by providing each tank with
one of the small turrets above the same, a greater or less quantity of oil can be
carried, with one or more tanks, entirely full at all times, irrespective of the
expansion of the oil. It will be understood that one turret may serve for two
compartments.
In addition to the above uses, the small turrets a. a. serve to support a passage
way e, on which the crew may pass in safety from one of the boats to the other,
entirely clear of the wash of the sea over the vessel. This passage way can be of
a number of constructions, all of which are intended to be covered and embraced
herein. The said passage way may be made of metal plates, secured to suitable
supporting irons, so as to form a permanent fixture to the boat. Such a passage
way will be very strong and durable, and in many connections, will not interfere
with the loading and unloading of the boat. The said passage way, when made of
steel plates, secured to supporting irons, and rigidly mounted on the small turrets
above the deck, serves as a chord or truss, whereby the hull of the vessel will be
strengthened very materially in a longitudinal direction. In cases, where the use
of a permanent passage way might prove objectionable it may be made in sections
reaching from turret to turret and to which the sections are to be attached in any
suitable manner. Such a passage way, made in sections as I have just described
will offer a safe passage for the crew, and one or more of its sections may he
removed at any time, so as to allow of free and uninterrupted access to any or all
the hatches, for purposes of loading and unloading. Instead of either of the forms
I have just described, a passage way made of rope netting or some pliable substance,
may be used. This rope netting is to be stretched taut in any suitable way, so as
to offer a firm and unmovable construction. The principal advantage of this latter
construction is that the rope netting just described, may be quickly removed, and
rolled up so as to take up but little space when not in use, and if need be it may be
stored within the said small turrets. With any one of the three forms of passage
way before referred to, a railing d. d. on each side is to be used, for the sake of
safety. This railing consists of wire rope, passing through stanchions in the usual
way, or instead, any other appropriate construction may be substituted.

page_text: 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 :
First. As an attachment to vessels, one or more turrets communicating with the
hold thereof, and adapted to be used for the purposes described.
Second. The combination with a vessel, having a rounded top or deck, of one
or more turrets communicating with the hold thereof and adapted to be used for
the purposes described.
Third. As an attachment to vessels, one or more turrets communicating with the
hold thereof, and masts extending up through said turrets, and sustained by the
same, as described.
Fourth. As an attachment to vessels, one or more turrets, mounted on the top
or deck thereof, and a platform or walk carried by said turrets, as described.
Fifth. As an attachment to vessels, one or more turrets, mounted on the top or
deck thereof, and a platform or walk carried by said turrets, and made in sections
as described.
Dated this Twenty-third day of May A.D. 1893.
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
5, John Dalton Street, Manchester, Agents.