Improvements in Steam Freight and Passenger Vessels.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Freight and Passenger Vessels.
A communication from abroad by ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, a citizen of the
United States of America, residing at Duluth, in the County of St. Louis and
State of Minnesota, one of the said United States of America, Ship
Builder.
I, WILLIAM FAIRBURN HART, of General Assurance Buildings, 1 East Parade,
Leeds, in the County of York, Patent Agent, 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 vessel is designed particularly for ocean traffic and is intended for carrying
passengers and valuable freight at a high rate of speed between ocean ports. The
particular features of novelty in the present boat relate to certain modifications in
its construction from other vessels of my improved type known generally as whale
back vessels, and which enable the vessel to fulfill its particular objects in a
better way.
One essential feature in an ocean going vessel for passenger service which my
improvement possesses, is that it should be so constructed as not to be seriously
retarded by heavy head waves, and that it should also be built in such a way that
the cabins will be effectively protected from being damaged or destroyed by such
waves. To accomplish these ends 1 construct a vessel as shown in the accompanying
drawings, in which,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved vessel :
Figure 2, a modification of the bow thereof;
Figure 3, a top view looking down upon the vessel, and
Figure 4, a sectional view cut through the boat directly aft of the fore turret.
In all of the above views corresponding parts are designated by the same letters
of reference.
In
A, represents the hull constructed as heretofore and having the same general
shape and construction as in my other vessels, such as for example say in the
communicator's British Specification No. 1671 dated 28th January 1892.
Figure 1, I have shown a spoon shaped bow, and in Figure 2, I have illustrated a
wedge bow, either of which may be used with my improved vessel.
B, are heavy turrets which extend up from the main deck of the vessel, said
main deck being the top of the bull, and these turrets are in a line with each other
and are arranged at suitable distances apart. The said turrets B, carry a heavy
middle deck C, made of metal or wood and which is suitably supported at the sides
and at the centre between the turrets by heavy supporting pipes D. The said
middle deck C, carries a line of cabins E, of any suitable construction and
arrangement. Directly above these cabins É, is a hurricane deck F, which is
supported by the said cabins and by the said pipes D, which extend up through
said hurricane deck and are provided at their upper ends with cowls for the
ventilation of the hull. The said pipes D, which extend up above the hurricane
deck carry davits G, for the life boats of the vessel.
Mounted above and upon the hurricane deck F, are the cabins H, and above these
cabins H at the front part of the same is the pilot house I, of the boat. The
forward turret of the series of the supporting turrets B, is mounted further back
from the bow than heretofore, at a point about one-fourth of the length of the

page_text: vessel therefrom, and the cabins E and H, are mounted upon the middle and
hurricane decks, at a point some distance from the extreme forward part of each of
said decks. J is the bulwark before referred to. This bulwark is made of heavy
plating, suitably supported and braced at the back, and extends up from the middle
deck C to a point a short distance above the hurricane deck F, so as to tend to
further support the hurricane deck at its forward end. The said bulwark J,
between the middle deck C, and the hurricane deck F, is preferably bulged slightly
outwards, as shown so as to better shed water, and above the hurricane deck it
extends up vertically, being highest at its centre and sloping gradually down
towards the hurricane deck at the sides. K, K, are bull's eyes in the bulwark
between the middle, deck and the hurricane deck for lighting the front part of
the middle deck. The forward part of the middle deck C, and of the hurricane
deck F, in front of the cabins, constitute convenient promenades for the passengers,
which promenades will be effectively protected from water by means of the said
bulwark.
L, L, are the usual railings for the decks C and F. M, is the fore turret which
extends up from the main deck a short distance from the bow. The said turret is
of very heavy construction and is somewhat higher than the turrets B for the
purpose to be hereinafter explained. The said fore turret M, is decked over on its
top and carries a capstan and windlass for carrying the anchor chains and hawsers
of, the vessel.
N, is a platform which extends back from the fore turret M, to the middle deck,
being reached from the said middle deck through a door cut in the bulwark J, or in
any other way...' The platform N, is provided on each side with a railing to prevent
the officers and crew from being washed overboard in passing along the same in
heavy weather, and is to be supported at suitable points by heavy pipes P, or in
any other convenient way. The platform N, may be conveniently made of iron
bars set on edge with small spaces between the bars to enable any water to pass
down through the same, or it may be made of heavy metal grating or in any other
way so as to shed water quickly and give longitudinal strength. The platform N
may be a permanent fixture to the vessel or it may be removable, so as to better
facilitate the loading of the vessel.
Q, is a heavy metal mast which extends up through the fore turret M, being
braced at its lower end either to the main deck, or it may extend down through the
hull and be supported by the keelson or at any intermediate point. The said
mast Q, carries at its upper end a crow's nest R, which may be reached either from
the inside of the mast or by means of ratlines extending up from the fore turret M.
In heavy weather the look out of the vessel may be stationed in this crow's nest R,
and in front of or above the same may be placed the head-light of the boat.
S, is a short derrick arm which extends out over the fore turret M, and which
can be conveniently used for handling the anchors of the boat and for other
purposes. T, is another and longer derrick arm carried by the said mast Q, which
extends out toward the rear of the fore turret M, and which can be conveniently
used in the loading of the vessel, either with high grade freight, or with the
trunks and baggage of the passengers.
U, is a large hatch-way cut in the deck of the vessel directly under the plat-
form N, and through which baggage and freight is lowered. Instead of making use
of a large hatchway U, as I have just mentioned, two smaller hatchways may be
used at each side of the platform N, and in either case the hatchway or hatchways
should be covered by" hatch plates bolted firmly to the main deck and packed
underneath to prevent leakage. It will be observed that these hatch plates are
approximately flush with the main deck so as to enable any water to flow
uninterruptedly off the same, thereby not retarding the speed of the vessel in any
way, or weakening the main deck of the same,
The particular advantages of a vessel of this type for the purpose mentioned will
be readily understood. In heavy weather the batchway U, will be closed and also
any hatchways may be used in the fore turret M, and on the main deck.

page_text: It will be observed that when heavy seas are encountered, the waves will break
over the bow of the boat and will strike the fore turret M, which is made higher
than the other turrets, being divided by the said fore turret so as to readily flow off
to the side of the boat without injury to the turrets B, or to the cabins. Should
the waves which the vessel encounters be very high so as to break entirely over
the fore turret M, the main portion of the waves will be divided thereby, as just
described, and the combing or crest will pass over the said fore turret so as to
encounter the bulwark J, and the turrets B, thereby dividing the combing or crest
which will also pass to either side without striking or injuring the cabins in any way.
It will therefore be seen that the main portion or body of the head waves will be
resisted by the fore turret M, and be divided and forced to both sides, and that the
crest or combing of the waves which is much lighter and has less force will be met
by the bulwark J, and the forward one of the turrets B.
By making the platform N, so as to shed water, it cannot be weakened in any
way by the combing or crest which may come over upon the same. I have
therefore obtained a passenger boat which has the advantage that no waves
can reach the cabins of the same, or any portion of the main deck under
the cabins, but that all waves will be met with and deflected to both sides
by the extreme bow portion of the boat which is made very strong for that
purpose.
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 :-
-:
1. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck, cabins mounted above the said hull on turrets, and a separate
isolated turret mounted on said curved top or deck in advance of said cabins, for
breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides, any waves which may flow up on
the bow of the vessel, substantially as set forth.
2. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck, cabins mounted above the said hull on turrets, and a separate
isolated turret of a greater heighth than the turrets which support the cabins,
mounted on said curved top or deck, in advance of said cabins, for breaking dividing
and deflecting to both sides any waves which may flow up on the bow of the vessel,
substantially as set forth.
3. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck; cabins mounted above said hull on turrets; a separate isolated
turret mounted on said curved top or deck in advance of said cabins for breaking,
dividing and deflecting to both sides any waves which may flow upon the bow of the
vessel, and an elevated platform connecting said separate turret with said cabins,
substantially as set forth.
4. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck, cabins mounted above the said hull on turrets, a separate
isolated turret mounted on said curved top or deck in advance of said cabins for
breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides any waves which may flow up on the
bow of the vessel, and an elevated platform made in the form of a grating to shed
water and give longitudinal strength connecting said separate turret with said cabins,
substantially as set forth.
5. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck; cabins mounted above the said hull on turrets, a separate
isolated turret mounted on said curved top or deck in advance of said cabins, for
breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides any waves which may flow up on
the bow of the vessel, and an elevated platform made in sectious in the form of a
grating to shed water, connecting said separate turret with said cabins, substantially
as set forth.
6. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck, cabins mounted above said hull on turrets, and a bulwark in

page_text: front of said cabins for breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides the combings
or crests of any waves which may strike the same to protect the cabins from such
waves, substantially as set forth.
7. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck; a middle deck supported above said hull on turrets lower
cabins carried upon and by said middle deck; a hurricane deck above said lower
cabins carrying upper cabins; and a bulwark extending up from said middle deck
to a point above said hurricane deck so as to support said hurricane deck at its
forward end, and for breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides the combings or
crests of any waves which may strike the same to protect the cabins from such
waves, substantially as set forth.
8. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck; a middle deck supported above said hull on turrets; lower
cabins supported upon and by said middle deck; a hurricane deck above said
lower cabins carrying upper cabins; a bulwark extending up from said middle
deck to a point above said hurricane deck so as to support said hurricane deck,
and for breaking, dividing and deflecting to both sides the combings or crests of any
waves which may strike the same to protect the cabins from such waves, and bull's
eyes in said bulwark for lighting the space between said decks in front of the
cabins, substantially as set forth.
9. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel provided with a curved top
or deck, cabins supported above said deck on turrets, a separate isolated turret
mounted on said curved top or deck for breaking, dividing and deflecting to
both sides any waves which may come over the bow of the vessel, and a
bulwark mounted in front of said cabins for breaking, dividing and deflecting to
both sides any waves which may flow over such separate turret, substantially as
set forth.
10. An improved steam freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having
a curved top or deck, a middle deck supported above said hull on turrets; lower
cabins carried upon and by said middle deck; a hurricane deck above said
lower cabins, carrying upper cabins, a bulwark in front of the cabins extending up
from the middle deck to a point above the hurricane deck so as to support said
hurricane deck at its forward end, and supporting pipes extending up from said
curved top or deck of the hull to a point above said hurricane deck, so as to support
said middle and hurricane decks, forming or carrying davits for the life boats of the
vessel, substantially as set forth.
11. An improved freight and passenger vessel, provided with a hull having a
curved top or deck, cabins supported above said hull on turrets, a separate isolated
turret mounted upon said curved top or deck in front of said cabins so as to
break, divide and deflect to both sides any waves which may come over the bow of the
vessel, a bulwark mounted in front of said cabins for breaking, dividing and deflecting
the combings and crests of any waves which may break over said separate turret, a
platform or walk connecting said isolated turret with said cabins, a mast extending
up from said separate turret carrying a crow's nest for the look-out, a derrick arm
swinging from said mast over said platform and a hatch or hatches in said curved top
or deck of the hull, beneath said platform for the purpose mentioned, substantially
as set forth.
Dated the Tenth day of November 1894.