Year: 1898

page_text: Date claimed for Patent under Sect. 103 of Act,
'being date of first Foreign Application (in 11th Oct., 1897
France),
I, HENRI LOUIS JOSEPH CLEMENT TURC, of Castans par Cannes, Department de
l'Aude, France, 'Naval Sub-Lieutenant, 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 statement :-
This invention consists of improvements in navigable vessels. In a vessel
according thereto, the hull proper is submerged and has connected. to it. one or more
floats which partly. emerge above the surface of the water.
The invention has for its main object to obviate the disadvantages incident.to
warships as at present constructed, in which to render the vital parts invulnerable
to gun-fire.a considerable weight of armour is necessitated, and in which the portion
of the stability depended upon the moment of inertia of the water-line area will be
seriously injured in action by the. breeches produced by explosive projectiles in the
outer hull and in the compartiments superposed on the armoured deck.
As will. be seen hereinafter, these improvements are equally applicable.to.the con-
struction of passenger-vessels having very little rolling and pitching; but as they
are intended especially for use in the construction of war-vessels, I shall describe.a
vessel of this kind constructed according to my invention and also giving.the, main
preliminary calculations for the construction of a particular vessel.
Such a vessel comprises essentially two main parts:-
(1) A portion of spindle or like shape (hereinafter called the hull), which.is
wholly under water, submerged to a depth sufficient to protect it from projectiles,
and constitutes the hull proper.
(2) One or more floats surmounting the hull, which form a rigid whole therewith,
emerge above the water, and are designed to ensure the buoyancy of the vessel, and
from which the hull proper is, so to speak, suspended.

page_text: The water-line areas of the floats will be made as small as possible-that is to
say, just sufficient to insure that the hull will have a practically constant immersion
in an ordinary sea.
Practice alone can determine the total water-line area to be adopted for a vessel
of any desired tonnage it is certainly less than one quarter of that which is
necessary for a vessel of the ordinary type of the same tonnage. Consequently the
moment of inertia of this water-line area is very small, and the stability of form of
the ship will become almost inappreciable and need not be taken into consideration.
The stability of the vessel is almost wholly due to the weight. In such a vessel, the
whole of the hull, the engines, the boilers, the coal bunkers, and the various
arrangements will have to be designed in such a manner as to bring the centre of
gravity as low down as possible.
A lead ballast will still further ensure complete stability if necessary.
The floats are traversed by vertical armoured passages designed to allow of the
passage of smoke-stacks, ventilators, conning-tower tubes, ammunition hoist-tubes,
hatchways to allow communication between the hull and the outside, etc. All those
parts of the floats which are not occupied by the vertical passages, smoke-stacks,
etc., are filled with woodite, or other analogous substance which is light, obturating,
incombustible, and does not absorb water, in such a manner that even when pierced
by projectiles the water will not be capable of flowing in and thus diminishing the
buoyancy of the vessel. The floats, from the upper part down to a certain depth
below the water-line, are protected by vertical armour, divided into compartments
by partitions, and shielded by armoured decks in such a manner as either to cause
shells containing high explosives to burst outside of the same, or in any case to
limit or localize their effects.
In order to enable the invention to be well understood there are represented
diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, but by way of example only,
various vessels constructed according thereto.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent a submerged vessel having only one float; Fig. 1 being
a vertical section corresponding to the longitudinal axis, Fig. 2 a plan showing the
float in section, and Fig. 3 a cross section corresponding to the line 3-3 of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a war-vessel having two floats, showing the
main internal arrangements and illustrating by way of example the general arrange-
ment of a vessel of this kind; Fig. 5 is a plan showing the internal arrangements,
one of the floats being shown in section and the other not in section; and Figs. 6,
7, 8, and 8 are cross sections respectively corresponding to the lines 6-6, 7—7,
8-8, and 8-8ª of Fig. 5.
Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively an elevation and a plan of a war-vessel having
two transverse floats hereinafter described, and Fig. 11 is a cross section corre-
sponding to the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is an elevation of a vessel having a float with a perforated shell, the latter
being shown in section; and Fig. 13 is a plan thereof.
Fig. 14 is an elevation of a vessel having two floats with a perforated shell, the
latter being shown in section; and Fig. 15 is a plan thereof.
Fig. 16 is an elevation showing the application of a horizontal float-board.
Fig. 17 is an elevation showing the application of an adjustable horizontal
rudder.
xc indicates the water-line.
In the vessel illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A is the spindle-shaped hull, B the
float, C a mass of lead or any other suitable substance serving as ballast, and D the
conning-tower with its communication-tube d. are the smoke-stacks and F
the ventilators. G is a splinter-proof grating extending across all the vertical
passages and intended to diminish the effects of the explosion of a projectile. The
parts filled with woodite or other analogous material are indicated in section by
alternate full and dotted lines. The armoured parts are indicated by thick black
lines.

page_text: In the vessel shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 8ª, C is ballast arranged at the
lower part of the hull; D, a conning-tower; da conning-tower tube; E, smoke-
stacks; F, ventilators; f, air-passages. leading from the ventilators of the stoke-
holes; G, splinter-proof gratings; H, valves and water-tight doors arranged to
intercept all the passages extending through the floats; I, boilers; i, steam-pipes ;
J coal-bunkers; K, screw-propeller shafts; k, screw-propellers; L, engines;
, purifiers; 10, heating vessels; l, force-pump; 2, pumps; 13, accumulators;
, dynamos; 15, steam valves; M, hatchways; m, ammunition hoists; N, ammuni-
tion chambers; 0, forward torpedo-tubes, arranged one above the other;
O', athwartships torpedo-tubes; P, guns on pivots fixed to the floats; Q, fixed
horizontal float-board; q, fixed, but adjustable, horizontal rudder; q¹, automatic
horizontal rudder; R, ordinary vertical rudders fore and aft; S, passage; T, bunks;
t, torpedo-workshop; v, horizontal metal sheets, serving to ensure the rigidity of
the vertical metal sheet V, which connects the floats together and serves as a
keel.
In the vessel shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the two floats are arranged laterally
one at each side on the hull, and are shaped in plan as shown in Fig. 10. These
figures show, by way of example some of the general arrangements of this vessel.
A is the hull, B the floats, E the chimneys and ventilating passages, and P the guns
which are placed in closed towers. The boilers are indicated at I. The armour
which protects the emerging portion of the floats extends down to a certain
distance below the surface of the water.
Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 relate to the perforated shell, the float-board,
and the horizontal adjustable rudder, all of which will be hereinafter fully
described.
As regards the form of the hull, and of the floats, it will be obvious that I do not
limit myself strictly to the forms shown in the drawings, because they are capable
of being somewhat modified. Further, as I have already stated, the stability of
form in a vessel constructed according to my invention is quite a secondary matter;
the stability depends principally upon the weight, and the forms may vary to a
considerable extent without having any considerable influence upon the stability of
the vessel.
In order to show more clearly the advantages of these improvements, I will give
a table of the principal weights and calculations of stability for a vessel such as
shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and also of one such as shown in Figs. 4 to 8" but
solely by way of example, and without limiting in any way the general application
of the invention. It will be seen that the weights are calculated with a considerable
margin and are greater than those that will be necessary in practice in constructing
the vessel and that the calculations are made with sufficient exactness for practical
purposes.
In a submerged-vessel with one float, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 :-

page_text: The following is a table giving the weights and the calculations of stability
relating to this vessel.

page_text: tical partitions
Splint-proof decks
WHIC
Armour surrounding t
smoke-stacks
&
t
t
hoist-tubes above
roofs of the floats -
Extensions of the venti
tors and smoke-stacks
Conning-tower-
Non-armoured lower pa
of the floats
Cellulose or woodite
Plating connecting
floats together
Eight 65 mm. guns.
Hull
Ballast
Entire propelling
paratus, 10,000 H.P.
30 kilogs.
2
Fuel
Accessories to
hull a
armament
WL
availabl

page_text: Value of 'p
α
PA = 52 centimetres,
p representing the distance of the initial metacentre above the centre of buoyancy
of the vessel and a the distance of the centre of gravity above the centre of
buoyancy of the vessel when upright.
-
Duration of a single oscillation when rolling in smooth water 4.63 seconds.
Duration of a single oscillation when pitching in smooth water 4.34 seconds.
The preceding description shows that vessels of this kind possess in the highest
degree the qualities that are required of a war-vessel.
The invulnerability of the vital parts of the vessel against cannon is ensured
because these parts are all contained in a hull under a depth of water sufficient to
protect it so long as the floats are not destroyed.
Now these floats (and this is the real reason of the superiority of vessels of this
type) have a very small section in comparison with the displacement of the vessel;
therefore it is possible, with a small weight of armour, efficiently to protect their
upper part and thus to ensure the safe margin of buoyancy and consequently a
constant immersion of the hull. This protection of the upper part of the floats
ensures at the same time the protection of the buoyancy of the vessel as the
stability dependent upon the weight will not be at all endangered by damage which
projectiles may cause to the floats. Further, as the upper works are reduced to a
very low amount, since there are above the water only those parts which are
indispensable-viz., the emerging part of the floats, the chimneys and the
ventilators, the hatchways, the guns and the conning-tower-a vessel of this type
will lose very little speed in the case of a high sea.
Further, the particular shape of the curve of static transverse stability (that is to
say, of the curve that has for ordinates and abscissae the inclinations of the vessel
and the values of the arm of the couple of static transverse stability corresponding
to these inclinations) allows of diminishing the initial value of the couple of trans-
verse stability and consequently of producing ships having a long rolling period. Also,
and especially by employing only one float, very long periods of pitching might be
obtained, and consequently a boat would be produced having an almost complete
stability of trim. A submerged vessel of this kind, provided with light cabins
mounted on the float would constitute a passenger-vessel that would neither roll nor
pitch.
This construction of vessel, which gives a stability almost solely dependent upon
the weight of the vessel, will be particularly suitable for torpedo-boats having
under-water tubes, by reason of the very small target that will be offered and of
the very great invulnerability which can be obtained with a very small tonnage.
Figs. 9, 10, and 11 represent a modification of submerged vessel which may be
considered as a mean between existing boats having a large water-line area and a
stability dependent upon the water-line area, and submerged boats having a very
small water-line area and a stability dependent upon their weight alone. This
vessel comprises two floats of small water-line area which are situated parallel to
each other and as far away from each other as possible. Their water-line areas

page_text: have consequently a great moment of inertia as to rolling, and aid in ensuring trans-
verse stability. A boat of this kind, with a draught scarcely greater than that of
existing vessels of the same tonnage, can thus carry numerous and powerful guns.
This modification will be particularly suitable for vessels carrying guns as their
principal weapon.
I shall now, by way of example of the application only, and without restricting
in any way the general applicability of the invention, proceed to show the advan-
tages of this type of submerged boat, having two floats of small water-line area
situated parallel to each other and as far as possible from each other, and for this
purpose I shall give the characteristics of the boat shown diagrammatically in
Figs. 9, 10, and 11. As in the case of previous calculations, the weights have been
calculated with wide margins, and the calculations have been made with sufficient
accuracy for practical work, and can be justified if necessary.
The main characteristics are:-
Protection
The 2 floats are surrounded by an armoured belt of 10 cm. mean thickness,
5 n.50 in height from the top of floats to 2m.50 below the water-line. Several
splinter-proof decks of a total thickness of 10 cm. In all 1400 tons of armour for
the protection of the floats.
Engine (weight 1800 tons)
Fuel
-
Value of - a
P
-
P
-
18,000 H.P.
1200 tons.
a=1m.32.
The construction of a submerged boat according to this invention does not offer
any special difficulties, and can be easily carried out by marine architects. The
water-line area being very small, the moment of longitudinal stability will be very
much smaller than that of existing vessels, consequently the longitudinal stability
of the vessel in motion will demand particular attention. The adoption of suitable
forms of the hollow shell and the employment of a horizontal rudder operated by
automatic mechanism analogous to that of the pendulum in the Whitehead torpedo,
but preferably of an electrical nature, will, by correcting instantaneously the slightest
deviations, give good results for this purpose. This rudder is indicated at q¹ in
Figs. 4 and 5.
:
A horizontal float-board such as Q (Figs. 4, 5, and 16) having a large surface and
situated at the rear of the vessel will contribute to ensure the stability of the
longitudinal trim in motion.
Let us now consider Fig. 16, in which Q represents the horizontal float-board,
and a the resultant of the action of streams of water upon it. Let us assume that
from some cause the axis of the hull is inclined-for example, that its front portion
has a downward inclination.
On account of its buoyancy, the vessel cannot sink. It therefore moves hori-
zontally and parallel to itself; consequently the action of the streams of water upon

page_text: t
the horizontal float-board will tend to "cause the vessel to re-assume :its: normal
trim.
I am of opinion that a good result will be obtained with a horizontal rudder
which is fixed for a determined speed and whose couple balances for each speed the
couple produced by the resistance of careening so as to enable a good longitudinal. 5
trim to be obtained. This rudder is marked q in Figs. 4, 5, and 17, in which a
represents the resistance of the horizontal rudder, a¹ and the resistance of the vessel
in motion, & the distance of a from the centre of gravity of the vessel, and 81 the
distance of a from the centre of gravity of the vessel; for each speed there will be
an inclination such that a § a 8. This rudder should always be duplicated by an 1
automatic horizontal rudder in order to combat the accidental causes of variation
of the longitudinal trim.
Such an automatic horizontal rudder is indicated at q¹ in Fig. 5.
The vertical passages (chimneys, hatchways, etc.) are divided up into parts as small
as practicable by means of thick plates or sheets of metal; and gratings which allow 1
of the passage of the air and smoke, are provided for the purpose of protecting the
lower part of the floats and the hull from fragments of projectiles which might
burst inside the vertical passages.
If a stray projectile should pierce one of the vertical passages, and the latter
should be entered by the water, gates or water-tight doors will enable the said 2
passage to be closed and the adjacent passages which are still undamaged to be
used.
In order to ensure a constant submersion of the hull, it will be of advantage to
surround the float or floats with a perforated shell.U: communicating freely with the
sea (see Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15). Openings u are formed in the said perforated 2
shell, their size being determined with care in such a manner that the flow of the
water through them will be sufficiently slow to assist in maintaining the constant
submersion, but nevertheless sufficiently rapid not to endanger the -stability of the
vessel.
These perforated shells, by enabling the floats to be provided with better water- 3
lines, will allow of diminishing the resistance of the boat in motion. Figs. 12 and 13
show diagrammatically the application of a hollow shell to a submerged vessel
having one float; and Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate the application to a submerged
vessel having two floats.
I shall now particularly specify what is novel in the vessels hereinbefore 3
described.
I am aware that in the "Spuyton Devil" constructed in America before the end
of the "War of Secession," it was attempted to obtain invulnerability by submersion,
the small non-submerged portion of the hull being armoured. More recently, in
the rai
"Cathadin," substantially the same feature was embodied, viz., a boat 4
floating at the surface, and having its larger portion formed of an armoured deck
partly submerged.
The monitors, which were very low down in the water, showed another way of
carrying out the same plan.
The above mentioned examples have two radical faults :-
(1) Too large a water-line area is retained, which necessitate a great weight of
armour for protective purposes.
(2) The buoyancy depended upon a part of the hull, and thus necessitated
arranging the hull proper to float at the surface of the water.
In this manner, vessels were produced which, by rolling or pitching very
moderately in a moderate sea, not only exposed the armoured portion which could
not be carried down far enough by reason of the large surface to be protected, but
also exposed non-armoured parts which were, of course, very vulnerable, so that a
few projectiles penetrating the bull would rapidly sink the vessel by reason of its
small buoyancy.
That which is characteristic and novel in a vessel in accordance with my
invention and which constitutes its value, and the priority of which I claim, is the
4
5

page_text: reduction of the water-line area of the floats to the minimum necessary to ensure
a practically constant immersion of the hull in order, with a small weight of armour
or of obturating material, to be able efficiently to protect its upper part, and thus
also to preserve its buoyancy intact, and consequently the constant immersion of
the hull.
In this manner, with a small displacement, there can be produced vessels which
are but slightly vulnerable, and as to which there still remains considerable weight
at disposal for the purpose of obtaining speed and offensive power. The floats,
which are the only parts of the vessel exposed to attack, do not contain any part
which is absolutely indispensable to the working of the vessel; they contain only
the necessary passages which extend through them and which are armoured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is
1. A vessel comprising a hull of spindle or like shape wholly submerged to a
certain depth and surmounted by one or more floats which are arranged
longitudinally or transversely, emerge partly above the surface of the water, and
contribute to the buoyancy, the total water-line area being the smallest possible
and only just sufficient to ensure a practically constant immersion of the hull in an
ordinary sea and the stability of the vessel being produced almost entirely by the
weight and being completed, if necessary, by means of ballast, as herein before
described.
2. A war or other vessel constructed according to the preceding claim, in which
the hull is surmounted by two transverse floats, situated as far apart as possible in
such a manner that their water-line areas will have a great moment of inertia as to
rolling and will thus aid in insuring the transverse stability, as herein before
described with reference to the drawings annexed.
3. In a vessel according to the preceding claim, a fixed horizontal float-board, of
considerable surface, arranged at the stern of the vessel, and tending, to an extent
increasing with the inclination of the vessel, to cause the vessel to re-assume its
longitudinal trim, as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings
annexed.
4. In a vessel according to Claims 1 and 2, a hollow shell arranged at the upper
part of the hull, surrounding the float or floats, and having a wall provided with
orifices of dimensions such that the water will pass and escape therethrough at a
suitable velocity, thereby preventing the vertical movements of the hull from being
too sudden, or too great, as berein before described with reference to the drawings
annexed.
5. In a vessel according to Claim 1, a normally fixed horizontal rudder
whose position can be adjusted according to the speed and the trim of the
vessel, with or without the horizontal float-board and the automatic horizontal
rudder, as herein before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
6. Vessels constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described with reference to
and shown respectively in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in Figs. 4 to 8 inclusive, in Figs. 9,
10, and 11, in Figs. 12 and 13, and in Figs. 14 and 15, of the drawings
annexed.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.