IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF MEAT, FISH, AND OTHER FERMENTABLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PRESERVATION OF MEAT, FISH, AND OTHER FERMENTABLE SUBSTANCES,
AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A communication from abroad
by Michel Albert Jouët-Pastré, of Paris, in the Republic of France, Manager
of the Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers, de la Mediterranée.
Sealed the 17th January 1879, and dated the 3rd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd August 1878.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF MEAT, FISH, AND OTHER
FERMENTABLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A com-
munication from abroad by Michel Albert Jouët-Pastré, of Paris, in the Republic
of France, Manager of the Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers, de la
Mediterranée.
This Invention relates more particularly to the preservation of meat and other
fermentable substances on board ship by the employment of refrigerating apparatus
in which ammonia is employed for producing cold in a preserving case or compart-
ment specially constructed for the purpose, and consists of a peculiar mode of con-
structing and arranging the said preserving compartments.
In carying out this Invention any desired number of preserving compartments
may be employed in one vessel, each compartments being similar in construction
except with regard to their dimensions and the shape of their lower part, which
varies according to the position occupied by the said compartments in the vessel.
The compartments each consists of an external water-tight casing, composed of a
bottom and four vertical sides of sheet iron, of, say, about 1/4-inch thick, connected
together with angle iron, rivetted or otherwise connected to the corlines and frame-
work of the vessel.

page_text: Two of the vertical sides of this outer casing extend transversely to the sides of
the hull of the ship when constructed according to the ordinary arrangement of
iron ships so as to form transverse partitions.
The casing is closed at the top by a sheet-iron cover, of, say, about 3/the-inch
in thickness, connected by angle irons to the vertical sides of the case, and
rivetted to the beams or supports of the upper deck of the ship. A series of small
openings are provided in this cover, fitted with doors capable of being removed for
the purpose of loading, but each provided with a water-tight fastening, herein-after
described. These sheet-iron walls or partitions with the floor and cover constitute
a perfectly water-tight chamber, forming part of the hull of the ship, contributing
effectually to the rigidity of the same, and dividing it into water-tight compart-
ments which ensure its buoyancy in case of accidental damage to the hull, and
serving at the same time to support the internal non-conducting casing, herein-
after described.
Underneath the floor of the casing there is formed either a water tank which is
filled when the ship is in ballast, or it may be filled with beton, which serves as a
permanent ballast to the ship, whilst the spaces between the sides of the casing and
the hull of the ship serve as coal bunks.
The external sheet-iron casing before described is lined internally with a layer of
any suitable non-conductor of heat, arranged in the following manner :-The bottom
of the case and its vertical sides are provided with deal planks, say, about 12 inches
x 2 inches, placed with their narrow edges against the internal surfaces of the
outer case, to which they are connected by means of angle iron, at a distance apart
of, say, about 21 inches. Between these planks is placed, by preference, wheaten
straw, which should be as long as possible and well pressed in. This straw is then
covered with deal boards of, say, 11 inch thick, screwed to the planks, and above
these boards there is provided an impermeable covering composed of sheet-iron
plates, screwed to the boards with strips of india-rubber placed in recesses in the
wood under the joints of the iron plates.
The upper side or cover of the compartment which cannot be lined in the manner
herein-before described in consequence of the openings required for loading is simply
lined with pieces of wood so as to fill the spaces between the openings. These
openings are fitted with steel-iron covers, provided on their under side with strips
of india-rubber for the purpose of forming a tight joint. The covers are each pro-
vided with 2 rings to enable them to be manipulated with facility, and are each
fastened and tightened in their places by pressing screws, which work in nuts that'
are capable of turning round in such a manner that when it is desired to remove
the cover it is only necessary to loosen the screws, when the nuts in which they
work may be turned in order to disengage the cover completely from the opening.
Underneath these covers are placed wooden boxes filled with non-conducting
materials, such as hair, wool, straw, or the like, and surrounded with felt, for the
purpose of completing the insulating lining of the upper side of the compartment.
The whole of the openings are surrounded by a sheet-iron combing, and trans-
verse wooden timbers are provided which serve to support wooden covers similar to
those usually employed for closing the hatchways of ships.
Between each row of openings are arranged the double worm or serpentine pipe
which serves to produce the cold. This worm is composed of two distinct series of
iron pipes of gradually increasing internal diameter, from 1 inch to 1 inches,
arranged in coils one within the other inside the compartment. Each series of these
tubes is rendered completely independent, and is operated by a special apparatus
working on what is known as Carré's system, for which purpose one of the openings
herein-before referred to is reserved and provided with distributing valves, one for
each series of pipes. At the bottom of the compartment there are two cast-iron
collecting pipes for conducting the ammonaical vapors through valves to each of the
two apparatus constructed on Carre's system, fitted to the ship, other valves being
also provided for regulating the flow of liquid ammonia from the apparatus. By
means of this arrangement when it is necessary to rapidly cool or congeal meat, fish,

page_text: or other substance to be preserved the two Carré apparatus may be made to operate
simultaneously on one compartment and produce the greatest possible amount of
cold at the time of filling the same.
When the substances in question have been frozen or reduced to the required
temperature the effect of the external heat may be counteracted by the employment
of a single Carré's apparatus operating on several compartments; or in case of injury
to one of the Carré's apparatus, or to one of the series of pipes of a compartment,
the cooling may be effected with the other apparatus working by itself, and thus
maintain the requisite low temperature notwithstanding the damage.
The arrangement of the pipes herein-before described is applicable to all refri-
gerating machines based upon the principle of the production of cold which
accompanies the transition from a liquid to a gaseous condition of a volatile sub-
stance, such as ether, sulphuric acid, chloroform; and the internal arrangement of a
ship, as herein-before described, may be employed in cases when such refrigerating
machines are used either for effecting the complete congelation of the meat and
other substances, or for merely lowering the temperature to near freezing point.
The openings herein-before referred to by which the compartments are fitted are
each provided with four vertical angle irons, one at each corner, extending from the
woodwork at the upper part of the compartment to the floor of the same, and held
in position by wood screws. These angle irons serve in the first place to support
the coils of the pipe by means of small transverse pieces of flat iron; they also
serve as guides for the boxes or receptacles containing the substances to be
preserved.
In order to place the receptacles containing the material in position in the com-
partment, and to remove them therefrom with facility, a travelling windlass is
employed, provided with wheels to run on rails, fitted so as to be above the level of
the upper part of the hatchways. A railway is also provided on each side of the
deck of the ship commanding the whole length of the compartments, and upon
which trucks are fitted to travel for the purpose of conveying the windlasses and
boxes for the convenience of loading or unloading.
Instead of one compartment being made to extend transversely entirely across
the vessel, as herein-before described, in some cases two compartments would be
placed side by side, separated in the middle of the ship by a water-tight longitudinal
partition.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed:
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th January 1879.
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF MEAT, FISH, AND OTHER
FERMENTABLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A com-
munication from abroad by Michel Albert Jouët 'Pastré, of Paris, in the Republic
of France, Manager of the Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers, de la
Méditerannie.
The said Invention relates more particularly to the preservation of meat and other
fermentable substances on board ship, by the employment of refrigerating apparatus
in which ammonia is used for producing cold in a suitable preserving case or com-
partment, and it consists of a peculiar mode of constructing and arranging the said
preserving cases or compartments, as herein-after described, with reference to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings represent respectively longitudinal transverse
and horizontal sections of a portion of a ship or vessel having the said Invention
applied thereto.
L
In carrying out the said Invention any desired number (as, for example, three).
preserving compartments may be employed in one vessel, the whole being of similar
construction, although differing in dimensions and in the shape of their lower part,
which. varies according to the position occupied by the said compartments in the
vessel.
In the accompanying Drawings the central compartment only is shewn, but the
description of the same will be generally applicable to the two others, assuming that
three are employed.
The body of the compartments consists of an external water-tight case, prevent-
ing any watery particles contained in the atmosphere from settling upon the internal
non-conducting casing, herein-after described.
The external case is formed,-
First. At its lower part, by a sheet-iron floor A, B, Figures 1 and 2, rivetted to
the corlines and framework of the vessel.
Second. At the sides longitudinally in the direction of the length of the ship by
two walls or partitions A, C, and B, D, Figure 2; E, F, and G, H, Figure 3; con-
nected to the floor by rivetted angle iron.
Third. Also, at the sides, but transversely to the direction of the length of the
ship by two water-tight walls or partitions I, J, K, L, Figure 3, extending to the
sides of the hull of the ship, according to the ordinary arrangement of iron ships.
The floor A, B, and the longitudinal partitions A, C, and B, D, are connected to the
last-mentioned water-tight partitions by angle irons.
Fourth. At the upper part by a sheet-iron cover M, N, Figure 1, and C, D,
Figure 2, connected by angle irons to the vertical sides of the case, and rivetted to
the beams or supports of the upper deck of the ship. In this cover is provided a
series of small openings fitted with doors, capable of being removed for the purpose
of loading, but each provided with a water-tight fastening, herein-after described.
These sheet-iron walls or partitions, with the floor or cover, constitute a perfectly
water-tight chamber, forming part of the hull of the ship, contributing effectually
to the rigidity of the same, and dividing it into water-tight compartments, which
ensure its buoyancy in case of accidental damage to the hull, whilst at the same
time serving to support the internal non-conducting casing herein-after described.
Underneath the floor A, B, there is formed either a water tank, which is filled
when the ship is in ballast (the precaution being taken in this case to cover the
angles at A, B, Figure 2, with cement, so as to prevent leakage), or it may be fitted
with which serves as a permanent ballast to the ship. The spaces at the

page_text: sides of the ship between the partitions A, C, and B, D, respectively, and the hull
serve as coal bunkers.
The sheet-iron compartment herein-before described is lined internally with a
layer of any suitable substance forming an imperfect conductor of heat, arranged in
the following manner, videlizet :-The bottom of the case and its vertical sides are pro-
vided with deal planks placed with their narrow edges against the sides of the case,
and connected to the sheet iron sides by short angle irons. Between these planks is
placed wheaten straw (for example), which should be as long as possible and well.
pressed in. This straw is then covered with deal boards screwed to the planks, and
above these boards there is provided an impermeable covering, composed of sheet-
iron plates screwed to the boards with strips of india-rubber placed in recesses in
the wood under the joints of the iron plates.
The upper side or cover of the compartiment, which does not admit of being lined
in the manner herein-before described in consequence of the numerous openings
required for charging, is simply lined with pieces of wood so as to fill the spaces
between the openings. In the example illustrated forty-two of these openings are
employed, the same being made of two different sizes. One of the smaller set of
openings is not used for charging, it being occupied by various pipes and other parts.
of the refrigerating apparatus. Each opening is cut out of the sheet iron forming
the top of the water-tight case herein-before described. The openings are fitted
with steel-iron covers, provided on their under side with strips of india-rubber, for
the purpose of forming a tight joint. The covers are each provided with two rings.
to enable them to be manipulated with facility, and are each fastened and tightened
in their places by pressing screws, which work in nuts arranged so as to be capable .
of turning round in such a manner that when it is desired to remove the covers it is
only necessary to loosen the screws, when the nuts in which they work may be
turned, in order to disengage the cover completely from the opening.
Underneath these covers are placed wooden boxes filled with non-conducting
materials, such, for example, as hair, wool, straw, or the like, and surrounded with
felt, for the purpose of completing the insulating lining of the upper side of the
compartment.
The whole of the openings are surrounded or enclosed by a sheet-iron protecting,
frame O, P, (Figure 1), and Q, R, (Figure 2), and transverse timbers are provided,
supporting wooden covers similar to those usually employed for closing the hatch-
ways of ships, and which are covered with a tarpaulin to prevent the entry of
water, in consequence of any seas washing the deck.
Between each two adjacent rows of openings and on the outer side of each of the
outer rows are arranged a double worm or serpentine pipe which serves as the
conduit for the refrigerating agent. This worm is composed of two distinct series
of iron pipes 1, 2, (by preference of gradually increasing internal diameter) arranged
in coils, the one within the other inside the compartment. Each series is rendered.
completely independent of the other and is operated by a special apparatus arranged
on what is known as Carre's system, for which purpose one of the openings is
reserved, the apparatus being provided with two distributing valves, one for each
series of pipes. At the bottom of the compartment there are provided two cast-
iron collecting pipes for conducting the ammonaical vapours through valves c, d, to
cach of the two apparatus constructed on Carré's system fitted to the ship, other
valves a, b, being provided for regulating the flow of liquid ammonia from the
apparatus. By means of this arrangement when it is required to rapidly cool or
congeal meat, fish, or other substance to be preserved the Carré apparatus may be
made to operate simultaneously on one compartment and produce the greatest
possible amount of cold at the time of filling the same.
When the substances in question have been frozen or reduced to the required tem-
perature the effect of the external heat inay be counteracted by the employment of a
single Carré's apparatus operating on several compartments, or in case of injury to one.
of the Carré apparatus or to one of the series of pipes of a compartment, the cooling

page_text: may be effected with the other apparatus working by itself, and the requisite low
temperature be thus maintained notwithstanding the damage. For example, by
opening the distributing valve a the liquid ammonia will flow through the valve
into the outer pipe of the coils, as will be apparent on referring to the Drawing,
and the course of the stream may be followed as it evaporates until it reaches the
cast-iron collecting pipe at the bottom, whence it passes to the valve d. This valve
being open the ammonaical gas will return to the absorbing vessel of the corresponding
apparatus. The working of each series of pipes and each apparatus is thus entirely
independent and separate. The Carré apparatus employed should be constructed of
dimensions suitable in order to obtain the required power, and in some cases a third
apparatus can be employed, the same being utilized either in the place of either of
the other two apparatus in case of accidental damage or for the purpose of main-
taining a low temperature in one or more compartments while the two others are
both concentrated upon the compartment in course of loading.
The arrangement of the pipes herein-before described is applicable to all
refrigerating machines based upon the principle of the production of cold which
accompanies the transition from a liquid to a gaseous condition of a volatile
substance, such for example as ether, sulphuric acid, and chloroform, and the internal
arrangement of a ship or vessel herein-before described may be employed in cases
when such refrigerating machines are used either for effecting the complete congelation
of the meat and other substances, or for merely lowering the temperature to near
freezing point.
The openings through which the compartments are filled are each provided with
four vertical angle irons, one at each corner, extending from the woodwork at the
upper part of the compartment to the floor of the same, and held in position by
wood screws. These angle irons serve, in the first place, to support the coils of the
pipe by means of small transverse pieces of flat iron, and also serve as guides for the
boxes or receptacles. These boxes are of thin wood, of open work, or of iron, or
even of wickerwork, and contain the substances to be preserved; their horizontal
dimensions are somewhat less than those of the openings or hatchways, their
height varying according to the nature of the substances which they are to
contain.
In order to place the receptacles containing the material in position in the com-
partment, and to remove them therefrom with facility, a travelling windlass Y is
employed provided with wheels to run on rails which are fitted so as to be above
the level of the upper part of the hatchways. This windlass when brought over
one of the openings in the cover serves to let down or hoist up one of the boxes.
A railway is also provided on each side of the deck of the ship commanding the
whole length of the compartments, to which railway are adapted trucks Z (Figure 2)
for the purpose of conveying the windlasses and boxes for the convenience of
loading or unloading.
In lieu of one compartment being made to extend transversely entirely across the
vessel as shewn in the Drawing, in some cases (as for example in constructing ships
of large dimensions) two compartments may be arranged side by side, the same
being separated in the middle of the ship by a water-tight longitudinal partition
supporting the deck and contributing to the strength of the structure. The
preserving compartments may also be so arranged as to extend to a portion only of
the height of the ship.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement of a compartment for preserving substances attached to
the hull of a ship or vessel in such a manner that the two structures shall support
one another, that the greatest possible space shall be rendered available in the

page_text: interior of the ship or vessel, and that the said ship or vessel shall be divided by
water-tight partitions ensuring buoyancy in case of accidental injury and admitting
of the employment of water ballast, substantially as herein-before described.
Second. The constructing of the deck forming the upper side of the compart-
ment with a series of small openings not interfering with the beams capable of
being opened and closed in succession for the purpose of loading and unloading with
the least possible admission of heat, ensuring the tightness and non-conducting
properties of the upper side of the compartiment, and also enabling the loading
and unloading to be effected with facility and rapidity by the employment of wind-
lasses and tanks, substantially as herein-before described.
Third. The employment of two series of coils or worms, the one within the other,
each connected to an independent refrigerating apparatus so as to be able to obtain
at the time of loading the ship or vessel a maximum of refrigerating effect which
may be reduced during the voyage, either of the said apparatus with its coil or
worm being capable alone of serving for the refrigerating process in case of damage
to one of them, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and seal, the Twentieth day of January, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine..
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)