IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING METAL SHEATHING AND OTHER SURFACES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF SEA WATER, IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEM AND KEEP THEM CLEAN
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Hay, of Saint John's Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING METAL SHEATHING AND OTHER SURFACES EXPOSED
TO THE ACTION OF SEA WATER, IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEM AND KEEP
THEM CLEAN."
Sealed the 21st February 1871, and dated the 23rd August 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Hay
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd August 1870.
"
I, WILLIAM JOHN HAY, of Saint John's Wood, in the County of
Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING METAL SHEATHING AND OTHER
SURFACES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF SEA WATER IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEM
AND KEEP THEM CLEAN," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment of chloride of zinc mixed
with oxides of zinc for coating surfaces exposed to the action of sea
water, more particularly zinc, copper, brass, lead, and combinations of

page_text: such metals as are used for sheathing ships and other floating bodies.
The sheathing is thus rendered more durable, its surface more uniform,
and it is not liable to become foul. The proportions of the materials I
employ will vary according to the surface to which they are applied,
but I may mention by way of example three gallons of solution of
chloride of zinc to sixteen pounds of carbonate or oxide of zinc. It will
be well in most cases to wash the sheathing or other surface with a
solution of chloride of zinc before applying the mixture.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William John Hay in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd February 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JOHN HAY, of Saint John's Wood, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical
Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William John Hay, Her special licence
that I, the said William John Hay, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William John Hay, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN COATING
METAL SHEATHING AND OTHER SURFACES EXPOSED TO THE ACTION OF SEA WATER
IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THEM AND KEEP THEM CLEAN," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William John Hay, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William John Hay, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in the employment of a solution of chloride of
zinc mixed with oxides of zinc for coating surfaces exposed to the action
of sea water thereby forming a durable coating and one which will
yield sufficiently to the action of sea water and friction to keep clean.
Its use as a covering to various kinds of metal sheathing manufactured
of zinc, lead, copper, tin, or any alloys of these metals and their respective
fastenings, nails, screws, bolts or dowels, preserves these sheathings and
fastenings from early decay, such as would be due to impurities arising
from irregularities in the composition or manufacture of the sheathing
or to galvanic action, set up by the various fastenings. For ships unable
to be docked for lengthened periods a second coating may be applied
with advantage. The proportions of the ingredients may be varied
according to the surface to which they are applied and to convenience
or circumstances, such as climates and seasons of the year, but I may
mention the following as the proportions which I consider best :-Three
gallons of solution of chloride of zinc of 1.5 specific gravity, to sixteen
pounds of carbonate or white oxide of zinc. In many cases it is desirable
to wash the sheathing or other surface with a solution of chloride of zinc
before applying the mixture. For the usual ornamental or copper
colored streak at the water line of vessels, the reddish oxide of zinc
should be used instead of the white oxide.
In witness whereof, I, the said William John Hay, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of February One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.