Improvements in the Construction of Ships of all Descriptions and Types.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Applicati n, 23rd sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th June, 1394-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships of all Descriptions
and Types.
I, MAXWELL HILL, of No. 1 St. Nicholas' Buildings, in the City and County
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Naval Architect, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention to be as follows:-
My invention is applicable to all classes of ships trimmed by water ballast, but
specially relates to screw steamers requiring when light, or only partially laden, to
be put down aft so as to immerse the screw. In addition to this, whether as applied
to steam or sailing ships, my invention provides additional cargo space when
carrying light material (as for instance baled cotton) and gives greater structural
strength to the vessel longitudinally on the line of deck.
My invention consists in constructing on the after portion of the main deck, or
such other portions as may be required, cellular tanks between the hatchways and
in width and height corresponding with the hatch "coamings or as may be found
necessary for different types of ships.
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As peculiarly adapted to the prevailing type of steamers known as "well-decked"
I will so describe the application of my invention. Between the "break" of the
deck and the after end of the ship in some cases raised deek or poop
carry two
longitudinal girders which may either form the sides of the hatchways or may be
approximate thereto or are in continuous line therewith. These girders in the
spaces between the hatchways are covered in and form water ballast tanks, of
which the deck forms the bottom, and these tanks are provided with means for
filling them from service pipes connected with the donkey engine pumps and with
cocks or valves for emptying them.
In addition to the main girders I propose in some cases to introduce one or more
intermediate girders which will generally divide the deck tanks formed between the
hatchways dividing the tanks into two, either side of which may be filled with
water for trimming" purposes as when the ship has a to port or starboard.
When not required for water ballast these tanks may be utilised to carry additional
cargo adequate hatches being provided in the covering or in the side plates.
16
"list
When the side girders of the tanks are carried throughout the ship the tanks
will greatly increase the structural strength forming an upper member of a girder
of which the ship's sides, and longitudinal bulkhead when so fitted, form the main
web and the ordinary water ballast tanks the lower member.
It will be perfectly plain that my invention can be readily applied to existing
ships as well as incorporated with ships being or about to be built."
Dated this 23rd day of Sentember 1893.
T. J. DANSON,
By L. W., per W. C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Ships of all Descriptions
and Types.
I, MAXWELL HILL of No. 1 St. Nicholas' Buildings, in the City and County
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Naval Architect, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention is applicable to all classes of ships trimmed by water ballast, but
Price 27

page_text: specially relates to screw steamers requiring when light, or only partially laden, to
be put down aft so as to immerse the screw. In addition to this, whether as applied
to steam or sailing ships, my invention gives greater structural strength to the
vessel longitudinally on the line of deck.
In order to obtain the necessary immersion of the propeller with light ships at
present, it is frequently the practice to carry loose ballast upon the after deck
which is a great expense besides causing considerable loss of time in taking on
board and discharging when the ship is being loaded.
My invention consists in constructing on the after portion of the main deck, or
on such other portions as may be required, cellular tanks between the hatchways
and in width and height corresponding with the hatch "coamings," or as may be
found necessary for different types of ships.
As peculiarly adapted to the prevailing type of steamers known as "well-decked"
I will so describe the application of my invention. Between the "break" of the
main deck and the after end of the ship (in some cases raised quarter deck or poop)
I carry two longitudinal girders, which may either form the sides of the hatchways
being in continuous line therewith or may be approximate thereto. These girders
in the spaces between the hatchways and at the sides thereof when approximate
are covered in and form water ballast tanks, of which the deck forms the bottom,
and these tanks are provided with means for filling them from service pipes
connected with the donkey engine pumps and with cocks or valves for emptying them.
In addition to the main girders I propose in some cases to introduce one or more
intermediate girders which will generally divide the deck tanks formed between the
hatchways dividing the tanks into two, either side of which may be filled with
water for "trimming purposes as when the ship has a "list" to port or
starboard. In cattle ships or others in which large quantities of fresh water
are required to be carried the tanks may be rendered of great service for such
storage.
"
When the side girders of the tanks are carried throughout the ship the tanks
will greatly increase the structural strength forming an upper member of a girder
of which the ship's sides, and longitudinal bulkhead (when so fitted), form the
main web and the ordinary ballast tanks the lower member.
It will be perfectly plain that my invention can be readily applied to existing
ships as well as incorporated with ships being or about to be built.

page_text: structural strength I have not thought it necessary to specially illustrate these
features as naval architects and practical shipbuilders will readily understand any
such modification.
"
"
"
Referring to Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2, T are the tanks the side girders of which.
extend considerably beyond the sides of the main hatches H in a continuous line.
from the "poop to the "break" of the main deck and are scarphed on to and
rivetted to the engine and boiler casing, wing tanks T' being formed between the
main tank girders and the bulwarks. The tops of all the tanks are slightly below
the main hatch "coamings" and flush with the height of the partial "awning
deck. The tanks have fore and aft central girders G to give additional strength
running from the " poop to the "break of main deck between the cargo
hatches H and rivetted to the hatch " 'coamings" and to the mast casing..
Transverse girders G' are also fitted dividing the tanks into sections. The tauk
tops are specially strengthened at the winch beds W by stiffening plates P at each
side of the central girders. M are manholes for access to the tanks. S are water
service pipes with couplings C for filling the tanks by a hose from the donkey
engine attached to nozzles N on tops of tanks, "scupper" holes with covers being
provided for emptying the tanks close to the deck. The tanks in this case will
contain 180 tons of water.
By this construction great additional strength is secured, chiefly at the "break"
of the main deck where it is most required. The girders forming the sides of the
tanks are arranged to "pick-up" the line of the engine casing (the bulkhead being
cut to allow thein to pass through) and are "scarphed" and rivetted to the casing,
thus forming continuous girders from the front of the "poop" to the fore end of
the engine and boiler casing. The partial "awning". deck plating being extended
abaft the "break" and forming the top of the tanks, forms a
scarph" with
the quarter deck, and obviates the necessity of carrying the main deck plating
into the hold for the purpose of forming a "scarph of the decks, without
interference with the hold space.
65
"
6
"
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 2, T are the tanks, of which the deck forms
the bottom, of the same width and of slightly less depth than the hatch
coamings." The tops of the tanks are strengthened by "stanchions"
to angle
irons, there being no longitudinal divisions in this case. The tops of the tanks and
the covers of the hatchways form a continuous raised deck from the "break" of
the main deck to the "poop," fitted with a portable handrail so that in bad
weather the whole of the after portion of the ship can be traversed without going.
down on to the "well" or quarter deck. Near the "break" of deck the dotted
lines shew an extension of the tank T' to the side of ship, and shewn on Sheet 1.
The tanks are fitted with manholes, nozzles for filling, and scupper holes for
emptying as previously described, with reference to Sheet 1.
Referring to Sheet 3, Fig. 5 shews a transverse section through the quarter deck
and one of the tanks, Fig. 6 a half transverse section to a larger scale, and Fig. 7
a longitudinal section to same scale of a portion of one tank T being intended to
shew the details of construction. Where the winch beds are fitted on tops of tanks
stiffening plates P are introduced to support same.
Referring to Sheet 4, Fig. 8 shews a complete longitudinal section and Fig. 9 a
deck plan of a " flush-decked steamer in which the tanks T are fitted to the
forward portion of the ship as well as to the after portion to provide additional
water ballast. Fig. 10 shews to a larger scale a transverse section through one of
the tanks, the construction, relatively to the flush" deck, being the same as with
the "well" deck type the tank tops and the hatchway covers forming a gangway
from end to end of the ship as described for the after portion only.
I have now described my invention as applied to new steam vessels of the "well-
deck" and "Hush-deck "types from which the adaptation to other types of new
steamers or to existing steamers or to auxiliary steam or sailing ships will be readily
understood.
I have mentioned the advantage of better immersion of the propeller when the

page_text: vessel is in ballast trim secured by my invention, giving not only increased speed
but less wear and tear of the engines and shafting caused by "racing" when the
propeller is not properly immersed, and I may now also state that in my opinion
the rolling of the vessel in a seaway will be reduced and be easier from the centre
of gravity being raised, neutralising the pendulum action caused by the pre-
ponderating weight below the water line.
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 :-
"
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The improvement in the construction of ships consisting in forming tanks on the
upper deck, which may be the "well-deck or flush-deck" according to the type
of ship, between, or between and partly alongside the main hatchways; said
tanks being primarily intended for carrying water ballast, or, when not so
occupied, available, in the case of emigrant ships or ships carrying cattle, as fresh
water tanks, with the objects hereinbefore stated, and, in certain adaptations,
shewn on the accompanying drawings.
Deted this 20th der of Luno 1901
T. J. DANSON, F. Inst. P.A.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Agent for Applicant.