IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC- TION OF SHIPS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Coppin, of 32, Camberwell New Road, in the
County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF SHIPS.”
Sealed the 9th December 1879, and dated the 16th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Coppin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1879.
"
WILLIAM COPPIN, of 32, Camberwell New Road, in the County of Surrey. IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS."
My improvements in the construction of ships are as follows:-I construct three
ships of very narrow beam, two of them to be of equal length, and the third much
shorter, and of proportionally narrower beam, and placed in the centre space between
the two long vessels; the whole three are to be rigidly connected by iron or steel
bulkheads, box girders, iron or steel decks, and frames in such a way as to form
complete platforins or decks, and having considerable water spaces between the
ships. The short vessel or centre ship is to carry the engines and screw propeller.
This arrangement brings the screw well towards the centre of the long or outside
ships, and prevents the possibility of the pitching motion lifting the propeller out
of the water and endangering the machinery, as is the case now with long ships of the
present build. All three ships are tapered from the centre, both vertically and
longitudinally, and come to a rounded point at both ends, so as to enter the wave,
and so reduce the pitching motion to a minimum, the rolling motion being done
away with by the extent of water spaces between the three ships.
The platforms or decks extend to about three fifths, more or less, of the whole
length of the outside longships, in the centre, and the remaining portion of the
ends, forward and aft, are covered over for passing through the waves, but the space
between is not decked over.
In ships of this construction for smooth water or river purposes I would carry,
by preference, the decks the entire length of the outside ships, nearly horizontal,
and in these cases I would propel the 3 ships by paddle wheels.

page_text: My improvements are specially applicable to war ships, and enable a large amount
of armour plating to be carried, owing to increased stability. They give extended
battery platform to carry guns of the largest calibre, and turrets of increased thick-
ness of armour plate can be employed with safety; complete protection is also given
to engines, screw propeller, and steering apparatus; increased accommodation for a
large number of troops and horses is given, with a speed of at least one third faster
than the present class of transports or line of battle ships in any service, and the
construction is such that one of the three ships might be completely riddled with
abot or damaged by a ram, and yet it would be supported by the other two.
The three ships will be sub-divided into water tight compartments.
The light draught of water gives greater facilities for manoeuvring and for
entering harbours.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Coppin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th December
1879.
WILLIAM COPPIN, of 32, Camberwell New Road, in the County of Surrey.
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPS."
"IM-
My improvements in the construction of ships are as follows:-I construct three
ships of very narrow beam, two of them to bo of equal length, and the third much
shorter, of proportionally narrower bean, and placed in the centre space between
the two long vessels. The whole threo are to be rigidly connected by iron or steel
bulkheads, box girders, iron or steel decks, and frames in such a way as to form
complete platforms or decks, and having considerable water spaces between the
ships. The short vessel or centre ship is to carry the engines and screw propeller.
This arrangement brings the screw well towards the centre of the long or outside
ships, and prevents the possibility of the pitching motion, lifting the propeller out
of the water, and endangering the machinery, as is the case now with long ships of
the present build. All three ships are tapered from the centre, both vertically and
longitudinally, and come to a rounded point at both ends, so as to enter the wave
and so reduce the pitching motion to a minimum, the rolling motion being done
away with by the extent of water spaces between the three ships.
The platforms or decks extend to about three fifths, more or less, of the whole
length of the outside long ships in the centre, and the remaining portion of the
ends, forward and aft, are covered over for passing through the waves, but the
space between is not decked over.
In ships of this construction for smooth water or river purposes I would carry,
by preference, the decks the entire length of the outside ships, nearly horizontal,
and in these cases I would propel the three ships by paddle wheols.
My improvements are specially applicable to war ships and enable a large amount
of armour plating to be carried, owing to increased stability; they give extended
battery platform to carry guns of the largest calibre, and turrets of increased thick-
ness of armour plate can be employed with safety; complete protection is also given
to engines, screw propeller, and steering apparatus; increased accommodation for a
large number of troops and horses is given with a speed of at least one third faster
than the present class of transports or line of battle ships in any service, and the
construction is such that one of the three ships might be completely riddled with
shot or damaged by a ram and yet it would be supported by the other two. The
three ships will be subdivided into water tight compartments.
The light draught of water gives greater facilities for manœuvring and for
entering harbours.
My Invention is illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
What I claim is, the construction of compound ships with three ship bodies of
narrow beam, the two outer bodies being longer than the central body, and the
whole being decked over and combined, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Coppin, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.