IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BOATS CHIEFLY FOR RACING PURPOSES AND IN OARS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of 323 High Holborn in the county
27
of Middlesex Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING
TO BOATS CHIEFLY FOR RACING PURPOSES AND IN OARS THEREFOR 1
communication from Michael Frank Davis of Portland State of Maine,
United States of America
(Void by reason of the Patentee having neglected to file a Specification in
pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th August 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
[Engineer] "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BOATS CHIEFLY FOR RACING
PURPOSES AND IN OARS THEREFOR [a communication from Michael Frank Davis
of Portland State of Maine, United States of America]
"
This invention has for its object improvements in or relating to boats, chiefly for
racing purposes and in oars therefor.
The novelty in the construction of the hull consists in the details and particulars
hereinafter described.
In the first place the construction and arrangement of the outriggers will be
described whereby the opposite out-riggers are connected in pairs so as to prevent
strain and also counter balance each other
In applying pairs of outriggers there is placed in the body of the boat an
approximately V shaped piece of wood or metal made of two pieces fastened together
at their lower end and firmly secured on its kelson. The sides of this piece extend
forward and upward at an angle of about thirty degrees and are firmly bolted to
the gunwale on each side; the upper end of this piece where they come to the top'
of the boat afford on each side the means for attaching the upper rods of the
outriggers. To these ends of the V shaped piece are also secured plates for a stay.
which passes diagonally across the boat at its upper part and connects the two
upper ends of the V shaped piece and thus furnishes the most complete tio or stay.
for the whole of that portion of the boat. At a suitable point in the lower or aft
part of the V shaped pieco is secured a truss. This is adapted to take tho.
compression strain in the act of rowing while the diagonal rod takes the tensile.
Price 1

page_text: This truss is placed as near the gunwales as the requirements of the oarsman will
permit. The lower outrigger rods aro on their respective sides secured to the
boat by the same bolt which fastens the side pieces of the V shaped piece in position.
The right angled outrigger rods may be respectively on each side bolted through
the gunwales.
The plate which is fixed on to the end of the diagonal stay rod is inclined
somewhat to the axis of this rod so as to fit flush upon the side of the V shaped
piece. Each plate is of considerable length, so as to permit the stay to be lowered
out of the way of the oarsman's hands, and in order to secure the direct tensile
strain this plate is nearly as long below as above. Stay or brace rods may extend
from the diagonal rod to the sides of the V shaped piece to answer this purpose, of
the plate, the latter is however preferable.
A bolt supported of the outrigger is secured to the outside of the boat of the
cockpit and holds the outrigger bolt firmly in position, preventing its getting out
of place or damaging the boat.
It is found to be desirable in the more perfect race boat that the skin and frame
shall be so rigid or firm that the boat cannot get of shape when in use; according
to any of the present modes of construction it has been found that a boat of the class
known as racing shells would in the water be so compressed by its load as to alter
its shape, and even then the shape would be continuously varying according to the
different motions of the oarsman.
In constructing a boat according to this invention, in addition to the pieces and
stays connected-with-the outrigger i.e, there are placed on each side about.midway
between the gunwale and kelson a supplementary strip or strips which preferably
run the whole length of the boat, and over the frame so made by said kelson,
gunwale and strips and suitably tied together, there is placed a thin plank or
veneer of wood transversely of its grain so that the grain shall come athwartships.
It is evident that the wood veneer can be laid as above over a frame made as is
now the custom only of the gunwales and kelson with some strengthening ribs to
hold them together-or even on tho gunwales and kelson the fibre of the wood
acting as stays or ribs, But such forms of construction though they would embody
this part of the invention would not accomplish the results so well or perfectly as
the construction above explained. It may sometimes be found advantageous to put
a covering of paper, silk or some suitable substance or material on the inside and
outside of the vencer.
Heretofore, in four oared boats, for example, the crew have been placed in the
centre of the boat and as near together as possible-This position or grouping was
considered a prime necessity In a boat embodying the present invention the
oarsmen or crew are placed so that their weight will bear as much as possible
along the entire length of the displacement thus the load is distributed to the best
advantage ensuring a level or even position of the boat on the water. This is
accomplished by separating the crew into divisions and scat these directly over
their water support. Thus cach division is placed in pairs so as to ensure the
application of power at right angles. Each division has preferably but one
cockpit so as to remove unnecessary wind area-and each cockpit is placed as far
forward and aft as proper accommodation for each division will allow.
This arrangement usually leaves a very considerable unoccupied space admidship
which can be used to advantage by putting in bearings for the boat-thus all
danger of twisting is reduced to a minimum and the stiffness of the boat
assured.
The separation of the rowlocks will also give such distance between the blades
that the swash from the forward blades will not incommode the blades of the aft
division.
The above relates more particularly to four oared boats, but may be used in a
double scull, centipede, six or eight or any number of pairs.
In making the frame of the boat if desired a double kelson may be used that is
onc on each side of the centre of the boats bottom, and in addition to these have

page_text: only the gunwales for longitudinal strips-but probably the construction
hereinabove described is preferable.
It has also been found a great desideratum to have the boats furnished with an
applianco on the bows to aid in securing the best control of the boat when the
oarsman is rowing-And to this end in the bow of the boat is placed a wind
balance on a ridge polo so that it will extend nearly from the point of the bow
to the cockpit its lower edge being flush with the deck-it is made preferably of
an oblong frame covered with paper and provided with rods on its under side
which are adapted to fit into sockets in the bow of the boat. The use of this
balance is to counteract the effects of the wind upon the part of the boat aft of
the centre; this in practice, when the wind is in another direction than dead fore
and aft, always throws the stern of the boat round. This balance by offering
increased surface at the forward part of the boat equalises the action of the wind
on the boat and enables the oarsman with comparative case, even in a very high
wind to keep his boat on the desired course. The coxswain is according to this
invention seated in the bow and the tiller ropes carried aft along the shell.
This boat has a sliding seat mounted at the back on a shaft by means of boxes
preferably two, one on each side of the seat. The bearings in these hoxes are
long so as to allow considerable fore and aft movement of the shaft, is usually
made of metal pipe. Each box has inside a gang of.anti-friction rolls. These sets
consists of each of a series of small rolls mounted between rings so that a set of
rolls come on one side and a set on the other, the axis of the roll in the last being
between the peripheries of the first in proper alternations so that when the gang
is used the friction comes on alternate sides from roll to roll; each gang is thus
free to have a rotary motion in the box, by which the shaft is supported and
revolves on the inner peripheries. The outer ends of the shaft are also supported
on rolls. The track of these rolls may be merely the upper face of the gunwales
of the boat, or a steel or suitable tracks may be laid on the frame work of the boat.
The front or aft end of the seat is supported on a short shaft which, at its ends, is
journalled in boxes which are of the same shape as and carry gang rolls like as do
boxes above described. In the middle the short shaft revolves on, and is supported
by a larger roll which runs on a track extending fore and aft of the boat and
supported by the kelson. The side boxes will come a little above the seat and the
centre gang roll will play in a slot in the front end of the seat.-On the under side
of the seat is fixed a channel which comes over the centre track and is sustained
by balls each of which comes intermediately between a pair of rolls. These rolls
are attached to an independent piece or pieces so as to revolve thus affording a
very easy and movable support for the seat. The forward and rear movement of
this central support under the seat may be controlled by suitable stops so that it
cannot pass from under the sent. The balls are preferably used, but it is obvions
that many of the advantages now described could be secured by the use of rolls
alone, balls alone may also be used on this track, keeping them in place by suitable
stops.
At the extreme fore and aft part of the seat are fixed vertically rolls, there are
two forward and two aft each of said rolls revolves on the end of a vertical rod
suspended from the seat. There is a pair of the rolls at front and a pair aft each
pair placed so as to have a roll on each side of the sill of the track in the centre
of the boat so as to come under the edge of the track the office of these vertically
supported rolls is to overcome lateral friction on the seat always arising in using
a sweep or in rough water, and by means of them the seat will always be held
firm in position and yet be wholly free to move fore and aft along the track.
These rolls are exactly similar in construction to those above described. The
bearing boxes are all eliptical to allow necessary fore and aft movement of the
shafts.
There has been long desired in racing boats some improvement in the row-locks,
or in the oar, or in both which should obviate the resistance, or friction when

page_text: According to this part of this invention the ordinary rowlock used in racing
boats, is used it has however on the outside of each fore and aft upright, respectively
rollers. These come out a little beyond the inside face of the uprights. Upon the
loom of the oar is fixed a ring which has a fange (at right angles to its body) of
such width that when the oar is placed in the rowlock this ring will readily take
upon the wheels or rollers aforementioned, on the upright of the row-lock. Upon
that part of the oar which in rowing comes into the row lock, is secured a plate
which has fixed in and to it at the end of each side, bearings carrying journals on
which revolve rollers. When this plate is fastened to the flat side of the oar, and
the oar is in position for use, these rollers come on the part of the oar on which
the motion takes place as it is partially turned in the operation of rowing.
The journals of the rollers on the plate are preferably made of steel and are bent
at each end at an angle from the main part, and by these bent ends are secured in
and to the frame.
On the flange of the ring on the oar a projection or rib is provided and is usually
located across and at the lower end of the straight side on the right hand. This
rib or projection is sloping and its office is to engage upon the like rib or projection
preferably on the aft upright of the rowlock.
In rowing the rolling movement of the oar beyond this point of engagement
will be effectually prevented. But when the oar is turned in the opposite
direction the projection or rib on the oar will very easily slide down over the
projection or rib on the side of the row-lock.
-Instead-of-placing this rib-or-projection.on. the aft. upright which is preferable
it is evident that it can be placed at other points on the lock and accomplish the
same result. The rib or projection on the oar flange will of course be changed in
position to match any change as above, on the row lock. It is of course evident
that on an ordinary oar a pin or projection may be used that will correspond with
the projection on the flanged ring so that the rolling of the oar may be stopped in
like manner as above described. This part of the present invention is designed to
cover any means substantially like what has now been generally shown and
described for these above purposes.
It may be possible to use one wheel or roll on the upright of the rowlock, but
such construction is not by any means so desirable as that above described. Or
there may be a series of balls instead of a wheel or wheels on each upright, the aim
and scope of the present invention in this particular being to provide an anti-
frictional bearing of any kind on the row-lock to operate in connection with
the ring on the oar, substantially in the way and for the purposes herein set
forth.
Sometimes in rowing the oar will strike hard or knock against the top part of
the lock, and this is always annoying to the oarsman and jars the boat and is
liable to shake the oar out of his hand. To prevent these results a cushion is
provided in the shape of a spring in combination with the rigid arm at the top of
this lock. This spring is secured at its lower end to the forward upright, extends
a little below the rigid arm and its outer free end passes through a hole in the
end of said arm, and thus comes inside the row-lock-This construction takes all
the impact of the oar at this part of the lock and wholly obviates the troubles
above spoken of. I am aware that heretofore wheels have been placed on the inner
lower side of the row-lock and do not claim that construction.
It has heretofore been considered necessary that the oar should preserve
throughout a round or nearly round form in cross section-such form being
generally regarded as essentially the best for use and as the most desirable for
easy manufacturo But the objections to this form are that in this way very much
unnecessary wood or stock is retained and consequently needless bulk. It has also
been found that when the handle part of the oar becomes damp or wet from any
cause, as by rain, splashing of water, or even by the moisture of the hand the
oarsman could not secure the firm, unslipping grasp which is an absolute necessity
when using the oar for racing purposes, and also that the slipping of the hand on

page_text: the oar caused blisters also that with the spoon blades now in use the lower edge
is always liable to tick or splash over the surface of the water as the oarsman
recovers his stroke.
These difficulties are obviated by grooving out the oar lengthwise of the handle
and loom part and thus removing all neutral or useless stock-and by providing
a cover for the handle part consisting of a cap of canvas and rubber combined and
finally by the peculiar shape of the lower edge of the spoon or blade.
Lengthwise in the loom of the oar and its body, from the handle to the blade
grooves are made on opposite sides. It is designed that by these grooves about
one-eighth part of the wood in one of these oars (made as has been heretofore the
custom) shall be taken out. It will be noted on careful consideration, that in this
lessening the bulk of the oar, the strength of the oar is scarcely if at all diminished
because the wood removed performed in office either in resisting strain or wear when
the oar was in use this operation removes only the portion of-wood which was
superfluous or neutral.
The part left is of such proportions as to resist all the strains brought upon it, as
well as all the wear.
In the handle end of the oar, is made, about three and a half inches from tho
end a thumb holo, designed to receive the oarsman's thumb and by means of it tho
peculiar strain of the thumb joint in the old style handle is obviated. The con-
struction enables the oarsman to pull with a straight arm, and to feather with
both hands.
The handle is covered with a cap or tube made with longitudinal strips of
canvas inside, properly embedded in the rubber, in alternation of the different
material. By this construction the canvas is placed inside of the cap and thus
comes against the wood of the handle. The cauvas will aid very essentially in
preventing the handle from twisting or slipping in the cap; as a matter of fact, if
the cap was made of rubber alone it would soon get stretched or sinooth inside and
so turn or move on the handle. The exterior of this cap or tube may be roughened
by parallel corrugations extending from end to end. This cap will have sufficient
elasticity to be easily forced over and upon the handle where it may secured be
by cement or otherwise, In like manner an annulus or sleeve on the loom of the
oar gives the handle cover for the other hand of the oarsman this is made like the
cap and applied in the same way.
The tube and cap can be made in various other ways to give the result in general
above set forth even a plain rubber or tubo may be applied and used in the samo
way and very, advantageously or simply pieces of rubber may be fastened on the
handle The aim of this feature of tho present invention is to provide such an
appliance as will obviate the difficulties above.
It is evident that this part of the invention can be applied to any sort or
description of oars.
The lower edge of the blade of an oar is so cut away as to have an inwardly
curving line and thus a broad tip or end is secured, but there is no more stock or
surface in the blade than in any other oar-the shape, not the superficial area,
being changed.
•
This peculiar shape of the blade renders it necessary to provide binding straps
one at the end and the other near the shank-The object of this curve-linear
underside of the blade is to enable the oarsman to clear the water more readily as
he recovers at the end of the stroke.