IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM AND SAILING
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Young Dicey, of Tavistock
House, Thicket Road, Annerley, in the County of Kent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM AND SAILING
Vosenrg 19
Sealed the 20th November 1874, and dated the 6th June 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Young
Dicey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 6th June 1874.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS YOUNG DICEY, of Tavistock House, Thicket
Road, Annerley, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM AND
SAILING VESSELS," to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to the construction of double hulled vessels,
that is to say vessels the bottom of which is intended to the form of an
arch, or vessels divided vertically and longitudinally at the middle line,
and the two parts placed at a certain distance apart, varying according to

page_text: the speed required and other circumstances, and thus forming a parallel
channel between the two parts of the hull which are to be securely
connected together.
My Invention particularly relates to the means by which the two
hulls or parts are tied or connected to one another. This I effect by
means of an iron superstructure which is so arranged that while forming
the strongest possible connection between the two hulls or parts it is at
the same time made available and affords ample accommodation for
passengers, cattle, or goods of any kind, and that while so connected a
free passage for the water is left between them, thereby forming a
double hulled or compound vessel available for sea service with many
great advantages over the ordinary single hull, advantages which are
especially applicable in the case of vessels intended for crossing channels,
such as the English channel.
In constructing paddle-wheel steamers intended to carry passengers I
unite the two hulls or parts as described in the Specification of a former
Patent granted to me, No. 151, in the year 1872, by means of iron girders
or beams running from the sides of each hull or part so as to form an arclı,
the crown of which will be under the main deck and the foot just above
the floating line of the vessel, the object of which arch is to lessen the
effect of the sea striking up under the superstructure, the curved form
deflecting the waves, and thereby throwing them gradually towards
the centre of the crown of the arch, and thereby lessening their force, at
the same time affording great strength of structure. At each beam
section there will be a gusset plate strengthened with angle iron rivetted
through and secured to the girders or beams which are carried over, and
between the two hulls or parts from the outside of one hull or part to
the outside of the other hull or part, and thus form the base of the
superstructure. These girders or beams should be increased in strength
and number according to the size and length of the vessel.
The superstructure alluded to above and forming the union of the
two hulls or parts I form by means of a series of deep transverse girders
passing across each hull or part to the other hull or part of the compound
vessel, which girders in some cases will run as high as the top of the
superstructure, and together with the crown of the arch and the iron
deck or plating above will form a series of transverse box girders
connected at the ends to sides of the hull which run up to top of girders,

page_text: and connect to iron deck. The transvers frames also run up to top
of superstructure, each alternate frame carrying a wrought-iron beam to
support the iron crown or deck of the superstructure, and in addition in
some cases I introduce longitudinal girders extending from the bow to
the stern over the crown of the arch between each hull or part. The
ends of the superstructure I make semicircular, the ends connecting to
outer sides of hulls or parts, the upper part being curved to give rigidity
and forming thus a girder of great strength supported by means of vertical
frames of angle iron stepping at heel on circular stringers worked over
top of beams of main deck, and I further bring a topgallant forecastle
before, and a raised quarter deck abaft, which together with its beams,
tics, stringers, &c., embrace the semicircular girders and effectually
prevent them from yielding to a strain.
In most cases the transverse girders are still further strengthened by
horizontal cross or diagonal girders, or what is preferable a complete iron
deck, which brace the whole supporting and connecting structure firmly
together. I further carry the skin plating of each hull or part under
the arch above-mentioned, so as to form a fair continuous plating of
cach hull or part and arch, and thus offer no obstruction to the waves
passing through the channel, and in such case I can where desirable
attach the longitudinal box girders to this plating.
The deck of the vessel will be so formed as to cover the two hulls or
parts and the space between them, and it will be supported by the iron
girders or beams, such as are before-mentioned.
In the case of steam vessels intended to carry passengers the super-
structure will be of dimensions sufficient to provide for cabins and
saloons being constructed therein for the reception of passengers.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-seventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said William Thomas Young Dicey, Her special
license that I, the said William Thomas Young Dicey, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Thomas Young Dicey, 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 STEAM AND SAILING
VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Thomas Young Dicey, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment 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 within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Thomas Young Dicey, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner.
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
-
My improvements relate to the construction of double hulled vessels,
that is to say, vessels the bottom of which is indented to the form of an
arch, or vessels divided vertically and longitudinally at the middle line,
and the two parts placed at a certain distance apart, varying according
to the speed required and other circumstances, and thus forming a
parallel channel between the two parts of the hull which are to be
securely connected together.
My Invention particularly relates to the means by which the two
hulls or parts are tied or connected to one another. This I effect by
means of an iron superstructure which is so arranged that while forming
the strongest possible connection between the two hulls or parts, it is at
the same time made available and affords ample accommodation for

page_text: passengers, cattle, or goods of any kind, and that while so connected a
free passage for the water is left between them, thereby forming a double
hulled or compound vessel available for sea service with many great
advantages over the ordinary single hull; advantages which are
especially applicable in the case of vessels intended for crossing channels,
such as the English Channel.
In constructing paddle wheel or other steamers intended to carry
passengers, I unite the two hulls or parts as decribed in the Specification
of a prior Patent granted to me No. 151, in the year 1872, by means of
iron girders or beams running from the sides of each hull or part so as to
form an arch, the crown of which will be under the main deck and the
foot just above the floating line of the vessel, the object of which arch
is to lessen the effect of the sea striking up under the superstructure, the
curved form deflecting the waves, and thereby throwing them gradually
towards the centre of the crown of the arch, and thereby lessening their
force at the same time affording great strength of structure. At each
beam section there will be a gusset plate strengthened with angle iron
rivetted through and secured to the girders or beams which are carried
over and between the two hulls or parts from the outside of one hull or
part to the outside of the other hull or part, and thus form the base of
the superstructure. These girders or beams should be increased in
strength and number according to the size and length of the vessel.
The superstructure alluded to above and forming the union of the two
hulls or parts I form by means of a series of deep transverse girders
passing across each lull or part to the other hull or part of the compound.
vessel, which girders in some cases will run as high as the top of the
superstructure, and together with the crown of the arch and the iron.
deck or plating above will form a series of transverse box girders
connected at the ends to sides of the hull which run up to top. of girders
and connect to iron deck. The transverse frames also run up to top of
superstructure, each alternate frame carrying a wrought-iron beam to
support the iron crown or deck of the superstructure, and in addition in
some cases I introduce longitudinal girders extending from the bow to
the stern over the crown of the arch between each hull or part. The
ends of the superstructure I make semicircular, the ends connecting to
outer sides of hulls or parts, the upper part being curved to give rigidity
and forming thus a girder of great strength, supported by means of
vertical frames of angle iron stepping at heel on circular stringers:

page_text: .
worked over top of beams of main deck, and I further bring a top-
gallant forecastle before, and a raised quarter deck abaft, which
together with its beams, ties, stringers, &c., embrace these semicircular
girders, and effectually prevent them from yielding to a strain.
In most cases the transverse girders are still further strengthened by
horizontal cross or diagonal girders, or what is preferable a complete
iron deck which brace the whole supporting and connecting structure
firmly together. I further carry the skin plating of each hull or part
under the arch above-mentioned so as to form a fair continuous plating
of cach hull or part and arch, and thus offer no obstruction to the waves
passing through the Channel, and in such case I can where desirable
attach the longitudinal box girders to this plating.
The deck of the vessel will be so formed as to cover the two hulls or
parts and the space between them, and it will be supported by the iron
girders or beams, such as are before-mentioned.
In the case of steam vessels intended to carry passengers the super-
structure will be of dimensions sufficient to provide for cabins and
saloons being constructed therein for the reception of passengers.
By means of this Invention the action of the water in a rolling sea
will be so neutralized by means of the two hulls or parts acting as a lever
on each other to keep each steady and prevent rolling, that on the deck
the motion will be but slightly felt if felt at all..
By means of this Invention all fear of the vessel being crank or top
heavy will be removed, the hulls or parts can therefore be raised so far
out of the water as to give the girders or beams between the two hulls or
parts a great depth, and thereby great strength.
In the construction of vessels for Channel service I prefer to use a
compound vessel of about 300 feet in length, each hull or part having
about 17 feet beam, and about 12 fcct depth of hold with the arched
space between the two hulls or parts of about 26 feet, thus limiting the
intermediate space between the hulls or parts in consequence of the
narrow entrances of the Channel harbours. But in case of any vessels
being built for harbours with more commodious entrances, I would
prefer to increase the distance between the two hulls or parts, as the
greater the distance apart the steadier the vessel would be, and a better
result obtained from the motive power.

page_text: {
In order that my Invention may be better understood, I have here-
unto annexed Drawings illustrating the same.
Figure 1 represents a vertical cross section of the vessel. A is the
outside skin or plating forming the two hulls or parts connected together
by the same plating being continued in an arch form, the foot of the
arch rising from just above the floating line of each hull or part, and the
crown being under the centre of the deck. This outside or skin plating
is supported by ribs or frames D of angle iron at a distance of about
2 feet apart securely fastened to the outside or skin plating, and
continued inside from the outer ends of deck beams of the other hull or
part to which it is also secured; these deck_beams C are of strong angle
iron spaced about 4 feet apart, thus a continuous frame of angle iron is
formed on the inner side of the outer plating to which it is securely
fastened. I further give additional strength by carrying a gusset plate
or web frame E composed of frame plate and reverse frame at about every
8 feet apart, and at a distance of about 12 inches from the frame angle
iron D, and in some cases the same is attached to the angle irom beam C of
each hull or part entirely round the compound vessel and to the under
side of the other angle iron beam C, as shewn in dotted lines in the
Drawings. I also secure together the frame angle iron D, and tho web
frame E by means of longitudinals or intercostals F, which I attach to
the outside or skin plating with angle irons and rivet between angle
irons inside the web frames or floors.
Figure 2 represents iron girders or bulkheads placed at a distance of
40 feet or thereabouts apart, and carried from the under side of the
upper deck over saloons or superstructure to the bottom plating of each
hull or part, and over the arch connecting the two hulls or parts, securely
fastening these iron girders or bulkheads in every part to the outside or
skin plating of the compound vessel, and I strengthen this bulkhead
with angle irons on each side of it, placed either vertically or diagonally,
and I further support these bulkheads by means of partial bulkheads
attached at right angles to them and connected at heads and heels to
upper and main deck beams and ties, and I then in some cases strengthen
the crown of the arch by longitudinal box girders H running from
end to end of vessel; and I securely fasten these longitudinal box girders
to the skin plating A to the iron girders or bulkheads I to the frame
angle iron D, to the web frame E, and to the angle iron beam C at each
point of intersection; this forming a set of box girders from end to end

page_text: of vessel varying in depth according to the depth of the minor transverse
girders or beams C. I also place hold beams G four feet apart, midway
between bottom of hull and main deck beams O, and secure them to the
web plates or frame E and ordinary frames D; B, B, are the decks
which may be made of wood, iron, or other combination of materials.
Figure 3 is a deck plan of the vessel, the dotted line K. fore and
aft shewing the line of the inner skin of each hull or part as nearly
straight, and I shews the places where the main iron girders or girder
bulkheads are placed.
Figure 4 represents a side view of the vessel shewing the super-
structure and positions of main girders, or girder bulkheads, forecastle,
quarter deck, &c.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim the con-
struction of steam and sailing vessels, substantially as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomas Young Dicey, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this First day of December, in.
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.