Improvements in or relating to Oil-carrying Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1890-Accepted, 9th Aug., 1890
COMI LEIDDI MOITICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Oil-carrying Vessels.
I, HENRY CROMPTON ASHLIN, of 34 Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
Naval Architect and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to he performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
It
This invention relates to that class of steam ships or vessels which have recently
come into use and which are constructed for the especial purpose of carrying oils in
bulk and the object sought to be attained is to enable vessels specially constructed
for carrying oil in bulk to be utilised for other cargoes especially grain cargoes.
will be readily understood that it is absolutely necessary that the grain should be
kept clear of the bilges as otherwise it would choke the pumps and cause damage
and danger.
The invention includes the formation of a temporary or permanent flooring to
the vessel which flooring may be made of any suitable material and is covered
with canvas or equivalent material. The purpose of the canvas or equivalent
material is to carry the grain or similar cargo in bulk without allowing any of
it to pass into the bilges or elsewhere where not required and the purpose of the
flooring is to support the canvas which otherwise would sag and possibly become
torn between the stringers floors or keelsons of the vessel. The invention will
be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1
represents a portion of a cross section of a vessel with the invention applied, the
flooring being shown made of wood. Fig. 2 is a similar view the flooring being
shown of perforated metal (though solid plates may be employed if preferred) and
Figs. 3 to 7 are details of the means adopted for securing the canvas and pre-
venting the passage of grain or the like.
Like letters indicate similar parts throughout the drawings.
A represents the skin of the vessel and B the vessels floors C represents the
flooring made of matched boards in Fig. 1 and of perforated metal plates in Fig. 2.
Both the wooden and metal flooring is meant to be temporary and merely put
down when required for the purpose as stated before of supporting the canvas,
and the securing of the canvas to the bulk-heads, skin of the vessel, or other
required part may be accomplished in any suitable manner but preferably as
follows:-
Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, D is a bar or plate which may either be in one length
or in sections or separate pieces as preferred, and is provided with bends D' which
pass round cleats E which are bolted to the bulk-head or other portion of the vessel.
F is the canvas or equivalent covering laid as already explained upon the floor C and
carried up to any required height against the bulk-head or skin of the vessel so as to
make a tight joint between that and the flooring; if required the canvas may be
carried all the way up the bulk-head or skin so as to entirely separate the grain or
cargo from contact with the plates which have previously been in contact with the oil.
The canvas is cut out or recessed so as to pass round the cleats E and when in
position the bar D is placed over the canvas and around the cleats as shown in
Figure 1 and the whole is secured in position by wedges G, all of which will be
clearly understood by reference to the drawings. Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are upon a larger
scale than the other figures and Fig. 3 is a detail showing a portion of the bar D and
an edge of the canvas with the recess to fit round the cleats E. His the bulk-
head.
In Figs. 4 and 5 the securing of the canvas to the bulk-head at its junction with a
stringer I is illustrated, Fig. 5 being a section upon the line y-y of Fig. 4. The
method employed is substantially the same as before but upon the canvas are placed

page_text: independent plates J which rest upon the canvas and between which and the cleats E
are driven the wedges G as will be well understood.
Fig. 6 shows an appliance for preventing the grain passing where movable pump
rods, pipes or the like have to pass through the flooring." Here a socket K is shown
provided with a flange K' bolted to the flooring and a washer or collar L serving to
receive the nuts of the bolts and at the same time secure the canvas. Upon the
pump or other rod M is secured a cup or sleeve N which passes over the socket K and
works up and down upon it as the rod travels. By this means a sufficiently tight
joint is provided and the grain is prevented from getting into the socket or passing
through the floor.
It will thus be seen that the canvas can be promptly removed when required by
merely striking out the wedges G and removing the bars D or plates JL after, which
the flooring can be dealt with as required; when the whole being of a temporary
nature it can be entirely removed when it is required to carry oil or other liquids in
bulk.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
1. The method of adapting a bulk-oil-carrying ship or vessel to the carrying of
grain or other similar cargoes by the employment of a temporary canvas or equivalent
flooring substantially as described.
2. In a vessel for carrying oil in bulk the employment of a removable canvas or
equivalent covering such as F substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a vessel for carrying oil in bulk the combination with a canvas or equivalent
covering such as F of a wooden or other flooring such as C substantially as and for
the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of June 1890.
HENRY CROMPTON ASHLIN.
.W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.