IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR TRANSPORTING LIQUID CARGOES IN BULK
Year: 1885

page_text: in Bulk.
I, LOUIS VINCENT SONE, of Nos. 22-26 Broadway, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR TRANSPORTING
LIQUID CARGOES IN BULK," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
I am aware that heretofore descriptions have been given of vessels designed to
carry liquid cargoes in bulk, and that in some cases letters patent, have been
granted for special constructions of such vessels. In all such constructions,.
however, the tanks designed to contain the liquid have had, so far as I am aware,
their walls made continuous, that is, they were made substantially by enclosing the
portion of the bull designed for this purpose by one. continuous wall, and then
subdividing such enclosed space into compartments by running partitions or septa
through the main spaces and attaching them to the surrounding wall, whereby
there was formed a number of tanks or cells all of which were rigidly connected
with each other, and each of which must be affected by any motion or movement
which takes place in the main walls of any one of the set or number.
I consider such construction as impracticable. for transporting liquid cargoes in
rough water, for the reason that the tanks or cells are so rigidly attached to each.
other by walls which are common to all or many of them, that the strain which
must inevitably be brought upon them in rough water would rupture the walls or
tear them from their fastenings and cause the tanks to leak; and the walls of the
tanks are so related to each other that if one of them is emptied, by being broken
down or by leakage, the walls of the adjoining tanks are weakened to such extent
as to be unable to withstand the pressure, and the probable result will be the total.
loss of the cargo if not of the vessel.
The object of my invention is to provide means for bringing the liquid cargo,
during its transportation in bulk, so completely under the control of the crew of
the vessel as to ensure great security, both to the cargo and the vessel, and thereby
render it practicable to transport liquid cargoes in bulk with comparatively the
same safety as if the liquid were placed in ordinary small packages, thus saving the
cost of such small packages and the expense of handling and repairing. them, as
well as the extra time and labor necessary to load and unload the vessel,
n

page_text: I consider these two conditions essential to the successful accompusnment of the
above named object, viz:-
First, that the main tanks shall be separate and independent of each other, so
that no shock, strain or absolute movement of one tank shall be imparted to,
received or sustained by any other of the series, as would be the case were the
tanks constructed with walls common to several tanks, or were they otherwise
rigidly connected; and Second, that the main tanks shall, under all ordinary
circumstances, during transportation, be kept entirely full, to prevent the constant
swash and hammering of the liquid upon the walls of the tanks which in rough
water, is liable to result in the speedy destruction of the tanks and in the
consequent loss of the cargo and ship.
To this end my invention consists, in part, of a series of closed tanks or
reservoirs, each separate or independent of the others, arranged within the hull of
a vessel and so disposed in relation to each other and the hull that when loaded the
vessel will be properly trimmed.
Also, of a series of separate and independent tanks arranged in such relation to
each other within the hull of a vessel that substantially the entire surface of each
tank can be readily inspected for leaks, and can be reached for repairs. Also, of a
series of separate or independent tanks arranged within the hull of a vessel each of
which is provided with a supply and discharge pipe adapted to be connected to a
pump and through which the individual tanks can be entirely filled and emptied,
either in port or at sea, and can be supplied with liquid, while in transit, if at any
time the tanks should become partially empty by reason of the contraction of the
liquid under changes of temperature, or by reason of leakage. Also, of a series of
separate and independent tanks arranged within the hull of a vessel, each of which
is provided with a stand or pressure pipe constructed and arranged to keep the
liquid in the tank under constant pressure, under ordinary conditions, and to
permit the exit of any gas or vapor from the liquid in the tank. Also, of an
overflow tank raised above the plane of the main tanks and provided with an
overflow discharge adapted to be connected with one or more auxiliary tanks,
in combination with stand or pressure pipes connected with the main tanks
whereby any expansion of the liquid in the main tanks may be received in the
overflow tank and conveyed to the auxiliary tanks. Also, of a pressure tank
raised above the plane of the main tanks and provided with an indicator in
combination with stand or pressure pipes and the supply and discharge pipes
connected with the main tanks whereby the condition of the contents of the main
tanks can be readily ascertained and any deficiency of pressure be supplied.
Also, of a pump provided with means of connection with the supply and
discharge pipes of the individual tanks arranged within a hull of a vessel, whereby
the contents of any one of the tanks can be transferred to any empty or partially
empty tank, in case any tank shall spring a leak, or for the purpose of changing
the trim of the vessel, and whereby the contents, or a part thereof, of any auxiliary
tank may be pumped into any main tank, either directly or through a pressure
tank, to supply any diminution of its contents by reason of contraction thereof by
variations of temperature, or by reason of leakage, in order that the contents of
the main tanks may be kept under constant and substantially uniform pressure.
Also, of means for attaching the various pipes to the tanks to give them the
required flexibility to withstand the strains and shocks to which they may be
subjected; the mechanical means adopted to secure the tanks in position, and to
brace the gangways of the vessel; as well as the connections of the pipes with the
pump connections: and the construction, and arrangement of various other minor
parts, all substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of
this specification and in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of the hull of a vessel.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a plan or top view of the middle batch snowing the grouping of the
pipes and the pump.
In the drawings the various parts are designated by letters and are referred to
and described as follows:-
A represents the hull of a sailing vessel, which may be of either wood or iron, as
desired, and in shape and general construction may be like the hulls of ordinary
vessels.
BB are tanks or reservoirs, preferably cylindrical in shape and made of plates of
iron or steel firmly riveted, or secured together by other means.
I prefer the
cylindrical shape for the tanks, as it gives greater strength than most other
practical forms and leaves no straight walls except at the ends of the tanks. To
give greater strength to the ends or heads, T shaped iron may be riveted upon the
inner surface of the heads, and the heads of each tank be connected to each other
by rods of iron or steel running longitudinally through the tank, which rods near
the middle of the tank are provided with a right and left hand screw, or other
means by which the tension on the heads can be adjusted. The heads of the tanks
may, if desired, be made conical, which shape would not only add materially to their
strength but would leave spaces between the heads of contiguous tanks, even if the
bodies of the tanks were in contact, sufficient to enable the beads to be inspected
for leaks, to be repaired, or to afford room for stand pipes and other connections.
The heads of the tanks might also be made concave, thus presenting an arch form
against the pressure of the liquid.
While it is believed that iron or steel tanks are preferable in many respects to
those of other materials, I do not limit my invention to such tanks, inasmuch as
they may be made of wood, compressed paper or other material. Neither do I limit
my invention to tanks of any special shape, or size, or number to be placed in the
hold of the vessel, or to any special arrangement of the tanks relatively to each
other, or to the walls of the hull, as these matters will depend largely upon the
circumstances in any particular case, as the length, width, depth and shape of the
space available for the tanks, and whether the vessel is a sailing vessel or a steamer.
I prefer, however, in constructing a vessel for carrying liquid cargoes like petroleum,
naphtha and kindred liquids to fill the cargo-carrying space entirely with tanks for
this purpose, as I do not consider it either advisable or practical to employ such
vessel for transporting mixed or general cargoes. I also prefer that the tanks
should be firinly secured to the timbering of the vessel, and that their ends should
be in contact with strong abutments so that they will be prevented from moving in
a fore and aft direction. I prefer, also, to have two classes or kinds of tanks, one
kind to include the most of the tanks used, being those designated herein as main
tanks, which under ordinary circumstances are to he kept full and under pressure,
and the other class designated as auxiliary tanks, which need be few in number and
may be of smaller size than the main tanks and which may be entirely or partly
empty. I prefer to make the main tanks, for vessels of ordinary size, about 30 feet
long and from 5 to 10 feet in diameter, the shape being cylindrical, and to place
them longitudinally of the vessel, that is, so that the long axis of the tanks will be
in the direction of the length of the vessel. I prefer to make the auxiliary
tanks, B¹, of small size and to locate them in such parts of the vessel as cannot
well be occupied by the main tanks, as for instance, on the floor of the hull under
the main tanks, and in the gangways, in which latter case they may be located
athwart the hull, and in any other parts of the hull which may be available. These
tanks should be made strong enough to withstand the swash of their contents when
only partly filled, and this can easily be done since by reason of their small size
the shocks and strains to which they will be subjected will be comparatively
slight.
The accompanying drawings show the hull of a sailing vessel and the arrange-
ment, supports and fastenings of the tanks therein; also, the arrangement of the
tanks and their pipes relatively to the, hatches of the vessel; the location of the
pump and its connections relatively to the supply and discharge pipes of the several

page_text: tanks; the location of the pressure tanks and their relation to the various stand
pipes, as well as various other features of construction and arrangement which will
be pointed out as they are fully described hereinafter.
This hold contains a series of forty-eight main tanks, B B, each about twenty-
five feet long and six feet in diameter. Those tanks, as will be seen in Figs. 1
and 2 of the drawings, are in four sets, each containing twelve tanks, arranged
three tiers in height and four tanks in each tier. The tanks are supported by
strong timbers, C C, extending across the vessel, and are held in position so as to
be immovable, by means hereafter described.
Figure 1 of the drawings shows three gangways D D, and three hatches, E E.
The center gangway is located between the two middle. sets of tanks, and the
forward and aft gangways are located respectively forward and aft of the other
two sets of tanks, as seen in the drawings. In some constructions it may be
preferred to locate the aft hatch and gangway directly forward of the aft set of
tanks, and thereby afford room for a house and cabin upon the aft part of
the deck.
The several tanks are held in a fixed position, so as to prevent both a fore and
aft or a cross movement, by the following means: Upright Timbers, F F, securely
fastened to the cross beams C C, are brought into close contact with the heads or
ends of each tank, and furnish an abutment to prevent any fore and aft movement
of the tanks. These timbers are preferably braced by cross pieces, G G, extending
across the gangways.
The tanks are secured from any sidewise or rolling
movement by sets of supplemental timbers, H H, surrounding each tank and
secured to the cross beams of the bull. I prefer four sets for each tank, one near
each end and two intermediate; these timbers may be held in position by means of
rods, II, passing through them in the direction of the length of the tanks, as shown
in Fig. 3. As additional means of preventing the rolling or side movement of the
tanks, chocks, J J, of either iron or wood are forced between the timbers, H, and
the body of the tank, the bearing surface of the chocks being shaped to conform to
the surface of the tank and timbers; these chocks may be held in position by
bolts or pins passing into the timbers; K is an additional support which may be
used in connection with the chocks, J J, and is preferably made of wood, and
constructed to be removable so as to permit a man to pass between the tank and
the timber, H, in order to inspect or repair the tank. It may be held in position
by a latch a hung to the timber, H, or in any other convenient way. The
chocks, J J, and support, K, may be used with each set of timbers, H H, and
thereby give the desired support to the tank, and hold it against any cross or
rolling movement. These chocks are seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
It will be seen that the timbers, F F, cover only the central or middle portion of
the heads of the tanks leaving the remainder uncovered for inspection at all times;
also, that the arrangement of the bodies of the tanks and the surrounding timbering
is such that a man can pass over and under each tank, and thoroughly inspect
almost every part of its outer surface, throughout its entire length.
Each of the main tanks is provided with a man hole, L, in one of its heads,
which is placed out of the central line thereof to be free from the central abutment;
the man hole may be of the usual construction.
Each tank is also provided with a supply and discharge pipe, M, which is
a pipe through which the tank can be filled with liquid and through which
the liquid can be drawn or discharged from the tank. One of the ends or
heads of each tank is preferably, as shown in the drawings, contiguous to one
of the gangways, D, and the pipes M are introduced into those heads near their
tops and are extended downward within the tank to the bottom thereof. The
pipes M, as they leave the tanks, are carried outward from the head to pass
the abutments, then upward a short distance, then towards the middle line of
the vessel under the hatch, and then upward through the hatch, where they are
grouped, and at a convenient height above the deck are provided, with stop-cocks
or other means for closing them, and with means for attaching a hose or pipe

page_text: to be connected with a pump to be hereafter referred to. The bends in these
pipes near the heads of their respective tanks are seen in Figs. 2 and 3 of
the drawings, and are formed by elbows, b, which give to the pipes sufficient
flexibility to prevent them from being broken under any ordinary strains to which
they may be subjected. These pipes should be about four or five inches in diameter
to give them the desired capacity.
Each of the tanks, B B, is also provided with a pressure or stand pipe, N, which
pipes are connected with the tops of the tanks near the supply and discharge pipes,
and, following substantially the direction of the supply and discharge pipes, pass
out of the hatches and then rise sufficiently above the deck to discharge the gas
and vapor at a height where it will not cause inconvenience or discomfort to the
crew. These pipes may be grouped together and supported in their elevation above
the deck by attachment to the masts or to some other rising support. These pipes
are of course to be left open under all circumstances.
At a convenient height above the deck, each of the pipes N is provided with a
branch, O, which enters a tank, P, located on or above the deck and at a higher
plane than the tanks, B B.
The tank P is designed to operate as a pressure tank, that is, a tank to contain
a supply of liquid which can at any time be used to keep the liquid in the
tanks B B under constant pressure, by drawing its contents, or such portion thereof
as may be necessary for this purpose, into the pipes M, or N-preferably, for the
reasons hereafter stated, into the former. To that end each of the pipes M is
connected with the tank P by a connecting pipe, Q, which is provided with a
stop-cock, R, which enters the tank P near its bottom. A convenient way of
making these connections is through a common pipe, S, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 of
the drawings. This tank P provided with an indicator, T, by means of which it
can be readily ascertained whether the contents of the tanks, B B, are under the
desired pressure. The tank P is preferably connected directly with the supply and
discharge pipes M, rather than with the pressure or stand pipes N, for the reason
that while the liquid is passing down the pipes M, the pipes N, being open at their
upper ends, furnish a complete vent for the escape of air or gas; while, if the
connections were made with the pipes N directly, the pipes M being closed at their
upper ends, all of the air and gas in the tanks would have to be forced out of the
same pipes N, down which the liquid descends, and this might cause obstruction or
delay to its descent. By making the connections directly with the pipes M a free
descent of the liquid through the pipes M and a free ascent of the gas and air
through the pipes N is obtained. While this is considered to be the better con-
nection, it is believed to be practical to connect the pressure tank directly with the
pipes M. The tank P is also connected with a pump, preferably a hand pump,
by which it is supplied with liquid from time to time as may be necessary.
U represents a pipe adapted to be connected to a pump conveniently located upon
the deck and adapted to be connected to draw liquid from the auxiliary tanks, or
the main tanks.
The operation of the tank P and its indicator T, in combination with the pipes M,
will be more fully explained hereinafter.
The tank P is also designed for an overflow tank whenever the conditions of
transportation require its use for that purpose; and for this end it is constructed
with a discharge pipe, V, near its top, which will prevent its contents from filling
above such level, and a discharge cock, W, near its bottom by which it can be
entirely emptied. These may lead into a common pipe, ✗, below the discharge
cock W, and be connected with any of the main or auxiliary tanks as desired.
It is here observed that, in the arrangement of tanks shown in the drawings, the
pipes M and N of the two middle sets of tanks, twenty-four in number, pass up
through the middle hatch and are grouped upon deck near such hatch where they,
the tank P, and the pumps are preferably to be covered with a house, as shown in
Fig. 8 of the drawings, the pipes N projecting through its roof. The pipes of the
forward and aft set of tauks pass up through their respective hatches and are

page_text: grouped together and should be similarly protected. It is also designed to have a
pressure and overflow tank, like the tank P and connected with the pipes M, as
herein before described and shown in Fig. 3, at each group or bank of pipes M
and N, which in the construction of the hull and the arrangement of tanks shown
in the drawings will be above or near each of the three hatches.
It is also remarked that the auxiliary tanks are preferably furnished with supply
and discharge pipes and with pressure. pipes substantially like the pipes M and N
of the main tanks B B, and for the same purposes, that is, for the purpose of filling
and emptying them, and for the purpose of putting and keeping their contents
under pressure whenever this may become desirable.
Y represents a suction and force pump which may be of the ordinary construction
of such pumps. This pump preferably is centrally located in relation to the various
sets of tanks and, in the construction shown in the drawings, I prefer to locate it
over or near the middle hatch. The suction and discharge of this pump are pro-
vided with connections which can be attached at will to any of the supply and
discharge pipes of the main or auxiliary tanks, or to some pipe which can be easily
connected thereto. For convenience of connection with the several tanks, especially
those at the fore and aft ends of the hull, two pipes, Z Z, are placed under the deck
of the hull, each of which is provided with stop cocks, c and c¹; at its ends and
means for connecting a hose or pipe with the pipes M of the tanks; they are also
provided with a stop-cock connection, d, near the pump for attaching them to the
suction or to the discharge of the pump as the case may be. The connection
between the pipes M grouped near the middle hatch and consequently near the
pump may be made directly with the pump by the use of a hose or flexible pipe.
provided with any suitable means of connection and without employing the pipes
Z Z, or either of them; and this may be done whether the connection is for
suction or for discharge; but when it is desired to connect the further sets of tanks
to the pump either for suction or discharge, or both, the connection is conveniently
made through the pipes Z Z.
Having described the construction and arrangement of the tanks, and the means
for securing them is position in the hull of a vessel, as well as the system of supply
and discharge pipes, and of pressure or stand pipes, and the pressure and overflow
tanks, and the centrally located pump and its connections, I will now briefly
describe the use and operation of some of these parts in filling the tanks and
keeping them under constant pressure, as well as in changing the contents of one
or more tanks to others directly, or from the auxiliary tanks to the main tanks
through the pressure tanks P.
Suppose the tanks to be empty and that they are to be filled from reservoirs of
liquid on the wharf or from lighters along-side, the operation is as follows:-
A hose or pipe connected with the suction of the pump Y is also connected with
the reservoirs, and the discharge of the pump is connected with one of the pipes
Z Z, through its connection d, while the aft end of the pipe Z is connected by a
hose to one of the pipes M leading to one of the aft set of tanks. The cocks at d
and c are now opened, the cock c¹ being closed, and the liquid is drawn from the
reservoir into the pump and forced through the pipe Z to any one of the aft set of
tanks with which the pipe Z may be connected through its pipe M. Each tank of
the aft and forward sets may be filled through one of the pipes Z by making the
proper connections, which will be well understood without further explanation.
The two middle sets of tanks are filled in substantially the same manner, except
that the connections with their pipes M may be made directly with the discharge
of the pump instead of through either of the pipes Z Z.
The several tanks may be emptied of their contents by simply reversing the
operation by which they are filled as above described, that is to say, to empty
them, the suction of the pump is connected with the pipes M of the tanks, and the
discharge connected with the receiver on wharf or on lighter.
In filling the several tanks the pressure or stand pipes N, which, as has been
stated, are open at their upper ends at a considerable elevation above the deck,

page_text: provide a free passage for the exit of all gas, air and vapor which may be in the
tanks, and this office they perform not only during the filling of the tanks but at
all times during the voyage. When the tanks are full, or nearly full, and before
the pipes M connected therewith are full, it is proper to stop the filling operation
and to close the ends of the pipes M in some secure manner, but in such way that
connection can be readily made with the pump should occasion require during the
voyage.
It is important that the tanks should not only be filled full, but that they should
be kept full during the entire period of transportation; and to ensure this their
contents are placed under the pressure of a colunin of the same kind of liquid;
while the liquid in this column can run down into the tanks to supply any
diminution of their contents, the column itself can be maintained from outside
sources so as to keep the contents of the tanks under a constant and substantially
uniform pressure under all ordinary circumstances. This pressure is obtained and
regulated as follows: The tanks having been filled, or nearly filled, as above
described, the liquid is pumped into the pressure tanks P, either by a hand or
power pump as desired, the stop-cocks R are opened and the liquid runs down the
pipes M and is forced up the pipes N until it reaches the level of the liquid in the
tank P. This will give a pressure upon the contents of each tank B which will
vary with the height of the liquid in the pipes N. It is proposed to maintain
substantially this pressure upon each tank during the voyage, by supplying
additional liquid to any tank by drawing from the pressure tanks P through the
pipes M as fast as its contents is diminished by contraction, evaporation or leakage.
As is well understood, many kind of liquids, especially petroleum, naphtha and
kindred liquids, are subject to considerable variation in bulk, both by expansion
and contraction, due to changes of temperature, and in transporting such liquids
proper provision should be made for both of these conditions. In the present
construction, the means provided for caring for the overflow from the expansion of
the liquid is very simply in arrangement and is automatic in its operation. The
tanks P, which primarily are pressure tanks, also serve as overflow tanks to receive
any surplus of liquid arising from the expansion of the contents of the main tanks.
As these tanks become filled the surplus runs from the discharge near the top of
such tanks and passes into any auxiliary tank connected therewith.
In case the liquid in the tanks contracts, and its level in the pipes N and M
falls, an additional quantity is supplied from the pressure tanks P. This may be
accomplished by leaving the stop-cocks R open during most of the time, always
keeping a supply of liquid in the pressure tanks, and in such case both the pipes N
and M would act as pressure pipes, and the pipes N would always, unless some
serious leak occurred, be filled to the level of the liquid to the tanks P. Suppose
the tanks and their pipes of any one set to be filled to the level of the liquid in the
pressure tank and that this level as shown by the indicator T is say 20 inches, and
that the stop cocks R are open allowing free communication from the tank P to the
tanks B B; if the liquid maintains substantially this level it may be safely con-
cluded that there is neither contraction nor expansion to any considerable extent;
if the level rises as shown by the indicator, there is expansion of the liquid, and
the overflow, if more than enough to fill the tank P, will be cared for as herein-
before set forth. If, on the other hand, the level in the tank P, the cocks R being
open, falls gradually as shown by the indicator, it is an indication that the liquid
in the tanks and pipes below is gradually contracting, and that the supply of liquid
in the tank P should be increased which can be done, when only small quantities
are required, by the use of a hand pump connected with the auxiliary tanks. For.
convenience a hand pump should be located near each pressure tank, to give the
necessary supply, and thus generally obviate the use of the power pump and the
cost of fuel to drive it.
If it should appear by inspection of the indicator that the level in any of the
tanks P is falling rapidly, it is an indication that some leak of importance has

page_text: occurred which requires immediate attention. The first thing to be done is to
ascertain where such leak is, and to this end all the cocks R of the group of pipes
under consideration, should be closed, and the tank P be filled to any desired level.
The cocks R should then be opened one by one, and observations made of the
indicator till the trouble is located, which will be when upon opening some cock
the liquid is found to run rapidly from the pressure tank. To facilitate the
immediate location and inspection of any tank which may thus be ascertained to
have sprung a leak, the stop cock, its pipe M and the tank with which it is con-
nected should each be plainly marked with the same number, or some other
designating mark, and this should be the case with each stop cock R, pipe M and
tank B of the entire series. A diagram showing the number or mark of each tank
and its exact location should be made and kept convenient for inspection. This
arrangement would enable the person in charge to go at once to any tank indicated
by the behaviour of the indicator and to ascertain what was the trouble and the
extent thereof; and if it should be found necessary to pump out its contents it
would also indicate the special pipe M to which the pump connection should be
made.
Instead of keeping the stop-cocks R open most of the time and closing them
occasionally, and then opening them one by one to ascertain the condition of the
individual tanks, these stop cocks may be kept closed most of the time, and in
such case the inspection will be made by opening the cocks one by one, and taking
observations of the indicator for each cock. If the liquid rises in the tank P, it
shows that the pipes of the main tank are filled above the level of the liquid in the
tank P and no further attention is at present required. If, however, the indicator
shows that the liquid runs rapidly and continuously from the pressure tank, this
calls for immediate attention and inspection, which may be conducted in the
manner heretofore described.
If the latter method of testing the condition of the contents of the tanks is
practised, the opening of the stop cocks R should be quite frequent in order to
detect any leaks in their early occurrence, and in order to keep the pipes N well
filled in case the liquid contracts. Whenever the cocks R are opened any diminution
of the liquid in the tanks, or the pipes N and M, should be supplied from the
tanks P, and the cocks should remain open sufficiently long for that purpose.
Instead of using a pump to supply liquid to the tanks P in order to secure the
desired pressure upon the contents of the main tanks B B, these pressure tanks
may be fed from a series of auxiliary tanks placed above the main tanks and so
arranged and connected as automatically to supply the pressure tanks, which may
be connected with the main tanks as herein before described.
If at any time it is desired to transfer the contents of any of the tanks B B to
any empty tanks, either main or auxiliary tanks, for the purpose of trimming the
vessel or saving the liquid in case of serious leakage, this can readily be done by
connecting the suction of the pump to the pipe M of any tank to be emptied, and
connecting the discharge of the pump to the pipe M of any tank to be filled. For
changing the contents of a tank, iu either the forward or the aft set of tanks, to
another tank of the same set, or for changing the contents of a tank in the forward
set to a tank in the aft set, or vice versa, both of the pipes, Z Z, are conveniently
used, by connecting one of the pipes Z with the suction of the pump and with the
pipe M of the tank to be emptied, while the other pipe Z is connected with the
discharge of the pump and with the pipe M of the tank to be filled. The con-
nections of the pipes Z Z with the pump are made at the stop cock connection d,
and when the pumping takes place the stop cocks at the unconnected ends of these
pipes must be closed. It is also seen that, in case it is desired to pump the contents
of any of the tanks overboard as in case of serious leakage, or to fill any empty
tanks with water to trim the vessel or for ballast, either can be readily done by the
use of the connections above described with the addition of a hose or flexible pipe

page_text: discharge or suction of the pump as the special purpose may
require.
It is readily seen from the above description and from the drawings that each of
the tanks B.B forms a separate and independent structure, and is unconnected
either directly or through its pipes or fittings with its adjacent tanks; also, that
the supply and discharge pipes of each tank and the means of ascertaining the
condition of the contents of each tank and of supplying any diminution in such
contents are all upon the main deck and are at all times accessible to those in
charge. This is an important feature of construction in the transportation of
certain kinds of liquids, like crude petroleum and naphtha, for example, which,
when unconfined and in considerable quantities, give off gases or vapors that are
injurious and often destructive to human life. By means of the appliances herein
described, it is practicable to transport cargoes of these liquids without descending
into the hold of the vessel except when this is perfectly safe. For instance during
a storm the hatches can be shut tight and covered, and if any of the tanks should
spring serious leaks the particular one could be ascertained and its contents pumped
into empty tanks, or overboard if necessary; if a tank should by any means be
wrecked and its contents immediately discharged into the hull, this liquid could be
pumped overboard in a short time; and all could be done without removing the
hatches or exposing the men to injury.
It is desirable, but not essential, to provide a drip pan to catch and retain any
liquid which may leak from the tauks or from the deck in filling or emptying the
tanks. Such pan may be conveniently placed over the lower tier of timbers which
support the lower tanks and may extend underneath the entire series of tanks. It
should be provided with a well or depression, preferably under the middle hatch
which may be provided with a pipe adapted to be connected with the pump by
which the drip can be removed at any time and pumped into empty tanks or over-
board as shall be desired. Such pan is preferably made of iron, lead, copper or
other metal, and is shown in the drawings and designated by the letter f; the well
is designated by g; and the pipe leading therefrom, by h. This pan also in a large
measure prevents the liquid from coming in contact with floor and timbers of the
bull by which such flooring and timbers if of wood would become saturated with
the liquid, which in many cases is undesirable and in some injurious. The drip
pan and its well connected with a pump furnishes convenient means for testing the
existence and extent of leakage which may occur in any of the tanks during such.
times as it would be unsafe to descend into the hold to make an actual inspection,
as during a storm when it is expedient to keep the batches closed.
It is here observed that it is considered desirable to provide a certain quantity of
stone or iron ballast which may be stowed upon the floor of the hull beneath the
timbers CC. A considerable proportion of ballast may be stowed in the gangways
and any adjacent spaces thereto, and if by any accident the contents of one or more
tanks should be lost, the vessel may be trimmed by changing the ballast in the
gung ways.
The quantity of liquid to be carried from port in auxiliary tanks will depend
upon a variety of circumstances. For example, if the cargo is petroleum or similar
liquid and if the voyage is to be from a warm into a cooler temperature, the
auxiliary tauka should be well filled, in order to have a supply to compensate for
the contraction in the uain tanks. If, on the other hand, the voyage is to be from
a cool to a warmer temperature, and the cargo is such as will be expanded under
such conditions, the auxiliary tanks should start empty in order to be prepared to
receive the overflow from the main tanks from expansion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of separate and independent
storage tanks, and a supply pipe connected to each tauk,

page_text: 2. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of independent storage tanks
inclosed therein, separate pipes communicating with said tanks, and an open frame
work supporting the tanks, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of separate and independent
tanks arranged therein, a supply pipe for each tank, and a pump located near said
pipes, and constructed for convenient connection with any of the supply pipes.
4. In combination, with the hull of a vessel, a series of separate and independent
tanks contained therein, and a stand pipe connected to each tank.
5. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of independent tanks therein,
a stand pipe connected with each tank, and a pressure reservoir common to a
number of such pressure pipes.
6. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of independent main tanks,
an auxiliary tank or tanks, and pipe connections to the auxiliary tank or tanks.
7. In combination with a series of main storage tanks arranged within the hull
of a vessel, a pressure tank located above the level of the main tanks, and provided
with pipe connections for discharging the contents into the main tanks.
8. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of main storage tanks, an
overflow tank above the level thereof, with pipe connections leading from such
overflow tank to the main tanks and to an auxiliary tank.
9. In combination with the hull of a vessel, a series of main storage tanks, a
pressure tank above the level thereof, pipe connections provided with stop cocks
leading from the pressure tanks to the main tanks, and an indicator connected
with the pressure tank.
10. In combination with a series of independent storage tanks in the bull of a
vessel, pipes leading from a number of said tanks to a common radiating center,
and an exhaust and force pump at such center adapted for connection with any
two of the pipes.
11. In combination with the hull of a ship, a series of independent cylindrical
tanks, a frame work supporting said tanks in horizontal position, fixed chocks on
the frame work bearing against the tanks, and a movable chock interposed between
said fixed chocks.
12. In combination with the hull of a ship, a series of tanks therein, a frame
work by which the tanks are held out of contact with each other, a pipe leading
to each tank, and an offset elbow to each pipe, (to give slight flexibility to said
pipe), substantially as described.