Improved Means for Raising Submerged Vessels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Raising Submerged Vessels.
I, JAMES HENDERSON, of No. 2 Shore, Leith, in the County of Midlothian,
Stevedore, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention has for its object the provision of simple and reliable means for
raising sunken vessels or other submerged vessels, the use of floating pontoons lifted
by the tide being dispensed with and steam or other hoisting gear being directly
applied.
In carrying out my invention I moor a lighter or other vessel or a number of
floating vessels on each side of the submerged ship such vessels being provided
with winches, cranes or other similar powerful hoisting gear, and I secure or brace
together such vessels by means of strong beams or girders resting on the decks
and carried transversely across the space between the vessels. Longitudinal beams
or girders are secured to the transverse beams so as to form an open dock-like
frame-work over the sunken ship and to such frame-work differential or other
power multiplying pulley blocks and hoisting tackle are attached at numerous
points. The said tackle is connected to eye-bolts fixed at suitable parts in the
submerged hull or to sling chains passed round strong beams or other fixtures in
the hull and the hauling ends of the tackle chains or ropes are connected to the
winches which are driven to wind in the chains or ropes. The tackle may be so
proportioned or arranged that whilst the winches are driven at a comparatively
high speed the vertical lift is very slow- whilst the lifting power is proportionately
high and thus by means of winches or hoisting gear of comparatively small power
a heavy vessel may be raised to the surface after which it may be beached or
where access may be had for such repair as will enable the vessel to be floated;
or the submerged vessel may be thus only partially raised to permit of chains or
hawsers being passed under it for subsequent raising.
Dated this Nineteenth day of January 1891.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improved Means for Raising Submerged Vessels.
I, JAMES HENDERSON, of No. 2 Shore, Leith, in the County of Midlothian,
Stevedore, 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 has for its object the provision of simple and reliable means for
raising sunken vessels or other submerged vessels, the use of floating pontoons lifted
by the tide being dispensed with, and steam or other hoisting gear being directly
applied.
In carrying out my invention as represented in plan and elevation at Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying drawings, I moor a lighter or other vessel A A or a
Dumber of floating vessels on each side of the submerged ship, such vessels being
provided with winches cranes or other similar powerful hoisting gear B B and
secure or brace together such vessels A A, by means of strong beams or
girders C, C, resting on the decks and carried transversely across the space
between the vessels.
Longitudinal beams or girders D D are secured to the transverse beams C C

page_text: so as to form an open dock-like frame-work over the sunken ship, and to such
frame-work differential or other power multiplying pulley blocks E E, and hoisting
tackle F, F, are attached at numerous points. The said tackle F F is connected
to eye bolts G G, fixed at suitable parts in the submerged hull G or to sling
chains passed round strong beams or other fixtures in the hull and the hauling
ends H H of the tackle chains or ropes are connected to the winches B, B, which
are driven to wind in the chains or ropes.
The tackle may be so proportioned or arranged that whilst the winches are
driven at a comparatively high speed the vertical lift is very slow whilst the
lifting power is proportionally high and thus by means of winches or hoisting gear
of comparatively small power a heavy vessel may be raised to the surface after
which it may be beached or where access may be had for such repair as will
enable the vessel to be floated, or the submerged vessel may be thus only partially
raised to permit of chains or hawsers being passed under it for subsequent raising.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
As means for raising submerged vessels, the employment of lighters braced
together by a framework and carrying hoisting gear and tackle, arranged and
operating substantially as described.
Dated this Nivatconth day of Antahox 1001
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.