IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING METALS, WOOD, STONE, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR MATERIALS FROM DECAY AND FOULING, AND IN COMPOUNDS AND APPARATUS TO BE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Weightman Harrison, of South Kensington, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRESERVING METALS, WOOD, STONE, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR MATERIALS
FROM DECAY AND FOULING, AND IN COMPOUNDS AND APPARATUS TO BE
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Sealed the 13th March 1877, and dated the 16th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Weightman Harrison
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th September 1876.
CHARLES WEIGHTMAN HARRISON, of South Kensington, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING METALS, WOOD, STONE,
AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OR MATERIALS FROM DECAY AND FOULING, AND
COMPOUNDS AND APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREFOR."
IN
This Invention relates to improvements in preserving metals, wood, stone, and
other substances or materials from decay and fouling, and consists in forming a
compound which has for its base or which contains the crystalline hydrocarbon,
known as ozocerit, which I dissolve in any suitable oil or spirit, and then mixed it
with colours or with other solutions or materials, according to the purpose for
which it is to be used. For instance, to prevent the oxidation of iron and other
metals, I combine a gum resin or marine glue in solution with the ozocerit, and
then I brush the metal over with the fluid, or I dip the metal therein, and in some
cases I cause the fluid to penetrate into the pores of the metal by exhaustion or
pressure. A convenient apparatus, which I use for this purpose, consists of a metal
cylinder fitted with a set of pumps for exhaustion and pressure, all proved to a
pressure of say 200 lb. to the square inch. When the cylinder is loaded it is
exhausted to about 27 inches of mercury, and the fluid introduced by a pipe in
connection with the reservoir air is then admitted and pressure applied. I prevent
the decay and fouling of ships and submerged structures by utilising the natural bases
or alkaloides derived from plants of the strychnos, brucia, veratrum, conium, nicotia,
and other similar species or tribes which yield a bitter or poisonous extract or gum,
preferring those which possess a paralysing action on the periphery of the motor
nerves. These I dissolve in spirit or oil, and then mix in any desired proportion

page_text: with a solution of the crystalline hydrocarbon or gum resin and creasote, and when
desirable with ordinary oil paints.
By the application of the above fluid I also preserve wood from decay and protect
it from the attack of insects.
I indurate and preserve stone, bricks, tiles, and other like materials from the 5
action of atmospheric variations and gases by impregnating them with a solution of
ozocerit, and I sometimes add thereto solutions of gum risins and tinctorial
ammonias to give colour.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Weightman Harrison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th March 1877.
CHARLES WEIGHTMAN HARRISON, of South Kensington, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING METALS, WOOD, STONE, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES OR MATERIALS FROM DECAY AND FOULING, AND IN COMPOUNDS AND
APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREFOR."
I form my improved compound for preserving metal, wood, stone, and other
substances or materials from decay and fouling by dissolving the crystalline hydro-
carbon known as ozcerit in any of its solvents, such as benzole, petroleum, oil of
turpentine, or resin oil, and then I mix the solution in any desired proportion with
other suitable bodies (such as herein-after named) according to the purpose for
which it is required. I may here mention that my experiments have been made
with ozocerit as a type of the mineral hydrocarbons, which are built up of molecules,
containing not less than twenty atoms of carbon, such minerals being capable of
resisting the action of all acids at ordinary temperatures, and suffering no deteriora-
tion from atmospheric influences. On this account I have found them valuable for
mixing with gums, resins, and colours applicable to a great variety of purposes for
preserving, as they impart thereto a high degree of permanence.
The manner in which my Invention is effected will be made clear by the following
explanation of the practical details appertaining to the several paragraphs of my
Provisional Specification,-
1. A simple and ready mode of preserving bright metals from rust is to rub them
over occasionally with a wax, formed by melting together equal parts or nearly so
of ozocerit and beeswax. It is easily applied in a thin cont by rubbing the coin-
pound on the metal with a cloth. In applying this compound wax to iron I
sometimes add finely powered plumbago to give it the color of the metal.
2. I make another compound or solution for preserving metals by dissolving in a
sand bath, say 4 oz. ozocerit and 4 oz. marine glue in 2 lbs. benzole, and then add
4 lbs. linseed oil, and lb. of essence of turpentine. The mixture is kept gently boiling
in the bath for an hour or so, after which it is ready for use, and may be applied to
the metal by a soft brush, as in ordinary painting. In some cases I impregnate
the surface of the metal deeply by forcing the compound of ozocerit into the pores
by exhaustion or pressure or the two combined. A convenient apparatus, which I
use for this purpose, consists of a metal cylinder, such as a wrought-iron boiler of a
suitable size and strength, equal say to about 200 lbs. to the square inch, fitted by
connections with exhaust and pressure puinps in a manner which is well known.
When the
This cylinder is provided with an air-tight door and a safety valve.
metal articles have been placed in the cylinder the air is exhausted to about 27
inches of mercury, and the hydrocarbon fluid is then admitted through a con-
necting pipe until the articles to be impregnated are covered. The pressure is then
put on and the fluid forced into the exhausted pores.
Another mode of effecting my Invention is by painting or coating metals with a
compound formed by melting together in about the following proportions:-5 lbs.

page_text: ozocerit, 5 lbs. resin, and stirring the fluid in 2 gallons rectified spirit (65° over
proof), in which 2 lbs. gum sandarach and 2 lbs. garnet lac have been dissolved.
Add turpentine varnish to them and boil at a gentle heat for an hour or so.
through a fine cloth and preserve for use.
Filter
I form a protecting varnish for suspended or open air telegraph wires by coating
then with a fluid formed by mixing together and heating at a low boiling point
for a short time,-1/4 lb. ozocerit, 1/4 lb. gutter percha or india-rubber, 1 lb. rectified
resin oil, and 2 lbs. linseed oil varnish.
Varnish for Outdoor Ironwork.-Dissolve in 2 lbs. tar oil 1/2 lb. ozocerit, lb.
resin; mix while hot in an open pot.
I prevent the decay and fouling of ships' bottoms and submerged structures
generally by utilizing the natural bases or alkaloides derived from tribes of plants
which yield a bitter or poisonous extract or gum, preferring those which possess a
paralyzing action on the periphery of the motor nerves. I obtain an alkaloide
possessing this property from plants of the genus strychnos by grinding the seeds or
wood, and then digesting the powder in a water bath with alcohol, s.p., 856; to 1 lb.
of the powder I add about 10 drachms of sulphuric acid and 2 quarts of alcohol.
An excess of quick lime will throw down acid and coloring matter. This alcoholic
liquor mixes well and undergoes no change when combined with the perserva-
ative fluids, herein-before described, or when mixed with ordinary paints. The
proportions of this poisonous extract, which I have found to be effectual in use
when mixed with varnish or paint, is 1 fluid ounce to the gallon.
I obtain a solution of brucia from angostura bark by digesting in spirits of wine.
I also obtain solutions of veratrum and conium by boiling the leaves and stems in
alcohol. By distilling the dried leaves of nicotiana I obtain a dark green oily fluid,
which like the preceding readily mixes in any desired proportion with gums, resins,
and paints, for application in the prevention of fouling. In all cases of coating iron
ships' bottoms or other iron structures I prefer to employ the sesqui-oxide of iron as
a basic paint.
Another mode by which I form an anti-fouling soap or composition is to melt
together 5 parts ozocerit, 5 parts resin, 3 parts best tallow, and 1 part gum
euphorbia. These are boiled in an iron pan together at a gentle heat and well
stired for an hour. In place of euphorbia I sometimes use one part of the alkaloide
extract, as herein-before mentioned. The compound may be laid on in the same way
as paint.
I protect submarine telegraph cables from injury by marine animals by coating
or surrounding the insulated core with a compound formed of equal parts or thero-
abouts of ozocerit, caoutchouc, gutta percha, and gum euphorbia or alkaloide extract,
which are melted together and laid on the core while still plastic or fluid.
I protect wood, stone, brick, tile, and other liko materials by a solution composed of
6 parts ozocerit, 6 parts beeswax, 38 parts petroleum spirit, 1 part alkaloide extract.
In some cases I mix suitable colors or paint.
I form a protective fluid for fabrics by mixing equal parts of a solution of ozocerit
and gum resin in spirits of wine or drying oils. The fabrics are saturated with
this, and the excess removed by passing between rollers or otherwise, after which
the fabrics are dried.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Weightman Harrison have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CHAS. W. HARRISON. (L.S.)