Improvements in the Construction of Boats.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Boats.
I EDWIN ELLIS of 20 Elthorne Road, Hornsey Rise, in the County of Middlesex,
Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
C
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of boats, whether rowing
boats, sailing boats, boats propelled by mechanical or other power, punts, canoes, or
other similar vessels, and has for its objects the attainment of greater speed and
stability than heretofore.
In order to carry my invention into effect I construct a boat so that its bottom,
instead of having an ordinary form with or without keel, shall have one or more
grooves running longitudinally from stem to stern, or longitudinally along some
portion of it, whereby its transverse section shall have a corrugated form, at some or
all parts of its length.
One of the intentions of this construction is to take advantage of the rising current
of water towards the stern of the boat produced by the friction caused by the boat
passing through the water, so that the speed of the boat shall be accelerated.
Dated this Eighteenth low of Anail 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Boats.
I, EDWIN ELLIS of 20 Elthorne Road Hornsey Rise London, 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 and accom-
panying drawings :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of boats or other vessels,
whether as applied to rowing boats, sailing or other boats or like craft, or vessels,
propelled by mechanical or other power and is particularly well adapted for the
torpedo class or type of vessel enabling greater speed and stability to be obtained
than heretofore.
In order to carry my invention into effect I propose in the first instance to construct
a boat or other vessel, so that its bottom instead of having an ordinary form, with or
without a keel, shall have a groove or corrugation running longitudinally along some
portion whereby its transverse section would be as of a corrugated forin at some or
all parts of its length, converging from stern to stem.
One of the intentions of my proposed method of construction is to take advantage
of the rising current of water fowards the stern of the boat or vessel produced by the
friction caused by the boat or vessel passing through the water, so that the speed of
the boat or vessel shall be accelerated.
The corrugated sectional area or form given to the bottom of boats or vessels as
proposed, will secure greater stability with lighter draft, invaluable for use in shallow
waters and giving increased velocity or speed. A greater increase of beam may be
given by my method as in comparison with other vessels without materially increasing
the resistance and greater accomodation for stores as well as for the crew, would be
provided, and in the method proposed by me a larger volume of water would be led
more freely to the propellers."
For sea going purposes I propose to further assist in giving increased stability by
means of "centre-board" angular keels, which may be used during heavy weather, and
so fitted as to be capable of being readily lowered or raised at will within the vessel,
07

page_text: especially for such class of vessels as torpedo boats or other class of light vessels
intended for sea service.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the method and particular form
of boat or vessel which 1 propose to adapt for different purposes; wherein it will be
seen as on reference to Figure 1 I have shewn an elevation of a racing or rowing boat,
Figure 2. being a bottom plan of same. Figure 3, is a mid sectional view in outline.
Figure 4. a stern or end view and Figure 5 a bow view, wherein the letters a a,
indicate the corrugated or grooved form converging as from stern to bow through
the principal portion of its length.
Figure 6. is an elevation of a proposed form of "torpedo " class of steam or other
boat or vessel such as I propose by my invention to construct. Figure 7 is a stern
or end view. Figure 8 is a midship sectional view of same, also shewing in dotted
lines my proposed method of raising or lowering the centre board" angular
keels, b. b, by means of counterweights and wire rope or other connections to work
freely over grooves or pullies, and connected to the sliding keels. Figure 9, is a
stem or front view wherein it will be seen that at the bow or fore end of the vessel (as
shewn at Figure 9) a double corrugated form is given, which converges or leads into
the main corrugated sectional form of the underbody, extending longitudinally as from
stem to stern or thereabouts, and in connection with same to fit and provide in
addition to the twin or double screws as usually applied for propulsion in such class
of vessels, a further additional screw as an auxiliary screw and centrally disposed aft
(as shewn at Figure 7), between the said twin or double screws just referred to,
which may be used as in addition to same giving greater speed whenever required,
or it may be so fitted as to be capable of being raised out of position when not.
required.
For giving further steerage way to vessels either of the torpedo or other class
of vessels propelled by steam or other mechanical power and as in combination
with the particular form of corrugated or tapered sectional are before referred to,
I propose to fit and use in addition to the ordinary rudders, a bow or auxiliary
rudder C, which would when not required to be used lay close into or within the lines
or form of the stem or bow of the boat or vessel.
In the superstructure of a vessel as shewn of a torpedo or other class, it will
be seen that the prolonged curved or "turtle backed" dome like or raised form
is given at the bow, forming as it were the "poop" and in combination with the
peculiar grooved or corrugated under body would materially assist a vessel so
constructed as in manner described and illustrated, that when driven at full speed
will be capable of repelling or throwing off the sea and preventing same from
breaching over and swamping the upper deck as from fore and aft, in very rough
weather.
As in relation to all classes of boats or vessels whether propelled or driven by
means of steam or other power as a motor the main feature of my invention is
in the particular form or sectional grooved area or tapered rim given to the bottom
or under body of same as herein proposed and illustrated, so as to give and provide
for increased buoyancy and speed to all classes of vessels or boats; the narrower
or tapered sectional corrugated form commences from the bow end and increases
in width in the run of the boat toward the stern and dying away into the body or
hull of the vessel. A material reduction of frictional effort will be secured by my
plan so that any beat or vessel so constructed or similarly formed will be found
to more easily yield or give to the propulsive power exerted.
For barges or such like vessels towed or hauled along canal paths the corrugated
or grooved principle of my invention will be found of great value, and the method
of my particular form of construction could be easily adapted or altered to such or
similar class of vessels and increased speed obtained with less tractive or haulage effort.
By my proposed method of construction in adapting or altering boats or vessels, it
will in practice be found that the water will run or lift" in the wake of the hollow
or corrugated bottom surface toward the fore part and so "lift" or tend to "scend"
.the vessel forward.

page_text: Having now particularly described and illustrated the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim,
is as follows:-
As in the case of either racing or other light craft or class of boat or vessel :-the
particular form of mid groove or corrugation tapering from stern to stem in the under
body or bottom of same or of some portion thereof.
For torpedo or other heavier class of vessels, that by the particular form of con-
struction of corrugated or grooved sectional form or area given to the under body or
hottom of same and in the superstructure and general combination, substantially as
hereinbefore referred to and as illustrated and described; so as to secure greater
speed, lightness in draft also increased buoyancy and stability to a very material
extent is ensured.
1000
EDWIN ELLIS.