A NOVEL BUOY OR APPARATUS FOR STORING VALUABLE PROPERTY ON SHIPBOARD AND PRESERVING THE SAME IN CASE OF SHIPWRECK
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to François César Buisson, of Nautiat, Department of
Haute Vienne, Empire of France, Householder, for the Invention of "A
NOVEL BUOY OR APPARATUS FOR STORING VALUABLE PROPERTY ON SHIPBOARD
AND PRESERVING THE SAME IN CASE OF SHIPWRECK,"
Sealed. the 14th May 1867, and dated the 8th December 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said François César Buisson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
December 1866.
I FRANÇOIS CÉSAR BUISSON, of Nautiat, Department of Haute Vienne,
Empire of France, Householder, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NOVEL BUOY OR APPARATUS FOR STORING VALUABLE PROPERTY
ON SHIPBOARD AND PRESERVING THE SAME IN CASE OF SHIPWRECK," to be as
follows:-
The object of these apparatuses is to prevent in case of shipwreck the loss
of valuable objects, such as jewels or bullion,log books, wills, or state and other
papers.
My buoy may be in the form of a cone, the base of which instead of being
truncated is spheroidal (see Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawing forming part of this Provisional Specification). It is hollow and
constructed of strong sheet iron bolted and rendered as secure as possible by a
covering of wood,gutta percha, or other suitable material; it is traversed from
[Price 8d.]

page_text: top to bottom by a shaft which serves for axle to three shifting stories or
compartments, also constructed of sheet iron; this shaft, which is to execute a
rotary motion, is set so as to pivot in two sockets. A single door left in the
covering gives access to these three compartments. The upper compartment 1)
is formed by a plate resting on a shoulder formed in the shaft; on this plate
divisions are formed by perpendicular partitions; these divisions are specially
intended to receive papers. The intermediate compartment D is like the
preceding composed of a plate set on a shoulder and also divided by
perpendicular partitions. In this plate is a hinged trap for communicating
with the lower compartment; this may receive objects of every description.
The lower compartment D" is. tub-shaped, and is divided like the others by
partitions; it is more particularly intended to receive money and the heaviest
objects.
Figure 1 of the annexed Sheet of Drawing is an elevation of my buoy or
buoyed casket; Figure 2 a vertical section; Figure 3 a cross section, and
Figure 4 plan view of plate with hinged trap.
The buoy is loaded in the following manner:-The door A, Figure 1, being
open a rotary movement must be given to the intermediate compartiment in
order to put the trap above mentioned in connection with this door. The
trap once raised will give access to one of the divisions of the lower compart-
ments, it is filled, the lower compartment is made to slightly revolve,another
division places itself facing the trap, and the operation is thus continued until
all the divisions are filled; then the trap being lowered the intermediate
compartment is loaded, and finally the upper one. The buoy being loaded
the door is hermetically closed, and every precautionary means taken to prevent
the penetration of water. Outside my buoy,and near its broadest part, is fitted
a water line raft in order that whatever may be the load it may always float
on its base. On the top I place a flag in order that its nationality and the
ship to which it belongs may be known. At its base is fixed the ring by which
it is attached to the ship.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of 1.ecember, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said François César Buisson, Her special license that I, the said François
Cesar Buisson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said François Cesar Buisson, my executors, administrators, or 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 "A
NOVEL BUOY OR APPARATUS FOR STORING VALUABLE PROPERTY ON SHIPBOARD AND
PRESERVING THE SAME IN CASE OF SHIPWRECK," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said François César Buisson, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said François César Buisson, 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, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object the prevention, in case of shipwreck,
of the loss of valuable objects, such as jewels or bullion, log books, wills, or
state and other papers.
And in order that the said Invention may be more clearly understood Ishall
now proceed, more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall
refer to the several Figures on the threeSheets of Drawings hereunto annexed.
The improved buoy represented by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, on Sheet 1 of
the Drawings, is constructed of sheet metal, and is enclosed in an outer
covering of cork intended to protect it from injury. Its dimensions are about
ten feet in diameter, five feet in height, and has a power of floatation equal to
more than twenty thousand pounds. These buoys may however be constructed
of various sizes and powers of floatation, so as to enable them to remain
buoyant even after some of their compartments may have become filled with
water. As will be seen by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, the buoy is of cylindrical form
and terminates at its lower part by a segment of a sphere, whilst its upper

page_text: surface forms a truncated cone. It is sub-divided into six large water-tight
compartments to which access is afforded through a man-hole in the top,
which is closed by a cover bolted on to a ring or packing of india-rubber,
which cover is surmounted by a staff carrying a metal ball painted some good
distinguishable color so as to attract notice. This appendage may, however,
be dispensed with when in case of shipwreck dangerwould arise ofits becoming
entangled with the ropes or rigging and of being consequently dragged down
with the sinking vessell. In such case a simple ring is substituted which
answers the purpose of securing it to the deck, and which will also facilitate
towage. The buoy is constructed entirely of sheet iron or wood secured by
angle irons and rivets in single or double rows. The spherical bottom is of
thicker plate than the rest so as to give greater strength to the structure.
The six divisions inside the buoy are not shown, but they will enable the
lower compartment of thicker plate to be used as a depository for specie and
ingots, whilst the side compartments will be occupied with papers and other
light valuables. The inlet to the lower compartment is through a man-hole
closed by a lid screwed down upon an india-rubber seat. The access to the
lateral chambers is through metal doors surrounded by copper strips, so as to
enable these doors at the moment of departure to be soldered on to similar
strips which are rivetted to the sides. It is obvious, however, that various
systems of water-tight doors may be employed in these buoys. The cork
covering which surrounds the buoy is held in its place by metal or other bands
rivetted or otherwise secured to the angle irons at the top and bottom of the
buoy, this cork covering not only preserves the buoy but greatly increases its
buoyancy. The buoy is further protected by the application of several coats
of paint. In some cases a coffer or chest similar to that shown at Figure 5,
Sheet 2, may be added to the buoy, provided with suitable means for securely
closing the same, this coffer is also intended for the reception of valuables,
such as the ship's papers and other important documents which maybe enclosed
in the buoy at the last moment. It is further absolutely necessary that the
buoy be effectually secured against thieves, the surrounding jacket of cork
renders it almost inaccessible at the sides, at its bottom owing to its position
in the ship and the increased thickness of the metal plate it is sufficiently
secure for all practical purposes, with regard to the upper side it is always
under the eye of the passengers or crew, which in itself constitutesaprotection
against the operations of thieves; moreover the lid or cover is secured
effectually in its place by bolts and secret padlocks, if desired a ship's lantern
may be fixed to the buoy which at night will cast sufficient light to render its
surveillance perfectly easy. A number of cords provided with cork or other

page_text: floats at the ends may be secured round the buoy so as to serve as life lines,
for the saving of shipwrecked persons. It may be remarked that the baoy.
loaded as described will at the moment of its immersion bear a still further
load of four tons which is equal to the weight of more thansixty persons, and
therefore there will be no risk of its sinking under the weight of those who
may be holding on to the life lines.
The buoy shown at Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 2, is constructed on the same
principles as those already described, but in this case the lowest compartment
is dispensed with, and at the circumference six water-tight compartmentsare
formed, each of which is subdivided into three chambers by means of wooden
or metal shelves. In the lower chambers valuable metals are deposited
whilst the upper ones are reserved for papers and documents and other light
articles of value and importance. The buoy is strengthened inside by numerous
metal ribs which will support it in case it be found requisite to transport it
overland. It should be elevated into the ship by suitable tackle attached to
the upper ring and being very heavy it is necessary that it should be capable of
resisting the strain exerted upon it when raising it fully charged from the water
and depositing itjupon the deck. A ring of cork is fitted round the upper edge
of the buoy to ensure it floating properly and to protect its sides from injury. A
metal ring is secured to the apex of the cone forming the bottom of the buoy,
and to this is to be attached a rope or chain carrying a drag or anchor at such
a depth as to arrest and hold fast the buoy in shoal water, and so prevent it from
being dashed against rocks. Entrance is afforded to the interior of the buoy
through a padlocked aperture which affords access in the central chamber to
the several surrounding compartments the doors of which are closed tightly by
means of manhole covers, or by plates soldered on as herein-before described.
Any desired arrangement and capacity of the interior of this buoy may be
adopted according to circumstances and the goods it is intended to contain,
and if desired the central chamber may be made to contain one or more iron
or other strong chests, in which the whole of the valuables on board may be
deposited. This buoy may also, as in the previous case, be provided with a
number of life lines having corks or floats attached thereto for the saving of
drowning persons. These life lines, however, are made sufficiently slender to
give way under any violent strain exerted upon them, so that there will be no
risk of the buoy being lost by being dragged down with the sinking shipshould
any of the cords become entangled with the wreck. This arrangement is
equally applicable to all the buoys, of whatever construction or dimensions
they may be.
The buoy represented at Figure 7, Sheet 2, is.of much smaller size than

page_text: those previously described. It is intended for small coasting vessels, and is
divided solely into two compartments, the lower one to receive specie and the
upper one papers and other light articles of value and importance. It may, as
in the previous cases, be provided with a complete or partial covering of cork
and with a signal ball and a ring for securing it when requisite.
The buoy shown at Figure 12 differs from the previous ones inasmuch as it
contains a series of moveable plates round a vertical axis, which plates may
be subdivided into compartments by water-tight metal partitions. This
arrangement admits of a lateral opening being made in the buoy, and of
causing each compartment to be brought in succession opposite the opening
by rotating them round the central axis, and thus each compartment may be
charged without the necessity for entering the buoy.
Figures 9 and 10,Sheet 3,represent another modification of being constructed
of cork held together by rope or galvanized wire and contained within an
outer plating of wrought iron, so as to tie the whole firmly together. On the
circumference of this buoy there are securely fixed by means of bolts or otherwise
four strong cases, which need not be water-tight, and which are intended to
receive the cases of gold or silver carried by the ship. In the centre of the
buoy a space is reserved, in which is placed a cylindrical water-tight coffer
containing papers or other valuables which might be injured by exposure to
the water. This coffer in most cases may be kept in the captain's cabin, so
that at the moment of danger he could easily deposit it in its proper place in
the buoy and close the aperture by any suitable lid or cover. Thus, as will
be seen in the Drawings, the coffer being entirely surrounded by cork is
effectually protected from injury, and may remain intact inside the buɔy for
any length of time. This construction offers the great advantage of ready
access to the valuables, which is of great importance in the case of being picked
up at sea. The cases at the circumference being the ordinary strong safes
are proof against violence; they may moreover be provided with double doors
of wrought iron,and are so situate as to be always on view and underinspection
when on deck. This buoy not being provided with a special compartment
for the captain's use it is proposed to place at his disposal a water-tight india-
rubber bag, which he hangs to the buoy at the moment of foundering.
The buoy shown at Figures 11 and 12 is very similar to the previous one,
excepting that it contains two coffers. They are also provided with double
doors in the safest position, and the apparatus carries at its upper part two
water-tight compartments, one of which is reserved for valuable papers and
the other for the captain's papers. Six small buoys are also shown in connection
with the large buoy for the saving of life.

page_text: In some cases two buoys may be employed, the one being smaller than the
other and not necessarily water-tight, such smaller buoy being suspended by a
chain from the bottom of the larger buoy, which must possess sufficient
buoyancy to support the weight of the suspended buoy, which is intended to
contain precious metals and specie, whilst the large buoy may contain
papers and other valuables which ought to be kept from contact with the
water.
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 herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the construction of marine salvage buoys with several water-tight
compartmentsforthereception of specie,documents, and other valuablearticies
eitherlooseorcontained in separate strong coffers substantiallyas herein-before
described.
Second, the construction of marine salvage buoys with a series of internal
revolving plates or discs forming compartments for the reception of valuable
articles, which are introduced through one or more lateral water-tight doors
substantially as herein-before described.
Third, the application to marine salvage buoys of a surrounding jacket or
covering of wood, gutta percha, thick cork, or other suitable material,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fourth, the general construction and arrangement of marine salvage buoys
whereby they are readily distinguished and identified, are easily towed, and are
protected from injuryaud mishaps,substantiallyasherein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francois Cesar Buisson, have to this my
Specification hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of May,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
F. C. BUISSON. (L.S.)