Improvements in and in connection with the Propelling and Steering of Vessels.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with the Propelling and Steering
of Vessels.
I, HENRY SIMPSON of Abbey Lane, Norton Woodseats, in the County of Derby,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved means for propelling vessels, such means
being also applicable for steering purposes, and also for expelling leakage water.
In its simple form of construction as a means for propulsion, it consists of a
tube or cylinder fixed down the centre of the boat and open at each end, and fitted
at the rear end with an internal screw driven by an engine or other motor; water
would thus enter at the forward end of the open tube and be driven out by the
screw at the rear.
Means for closing the ends of the tube, are provided to enable the interior of
the tube to be examined, and a side shuttle or door, or more than one may be
used if necessary, connected with compartments or the like parts of the vessel,
thus when the inlet end of the pipe was closed, the action of the revolving screw
would draw the water from such compartment, or other portion of the vessel con-
nected with such side door and its pipes.
I also propose to utilize this action for steering the vessel, for which purpose
I use two such tubes or Cylinders, one being situated on either side of the keel,
the front ends approaching each other and the rear ends diverging.
Each of the rear ends is provided with a quick thread screw suitable for forcing
water out of the tube, supported in bearings, and connected with the cranks of
an engine, or constructed to be driven by a motor.
These tubes or cylinders are provided with doors as previously described, for
closing one or both ends of the tubes or to bring them in communication with
the interior of the vessel, in case of leakage. The tubes being at an angle with
the keel of the vessel, it follows that if one screw is at rest and the other revolving, the
vessel would be propelled in a circle, moving to the right or left as the case may be.
I consider that by taking water through the tubes from the fore end of the
vessel I reduce the resistance at the bows, and thereby am enabled to increase the
speed.
I propose to curve the tube where the motor is connected with the screw shaft,
bringing the shaft through one or more stuffing boxes.
Dated the 27th day of November 1896.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with the Propelling and Steering
of Vessels:
I, HENRY SIMPSON of Abbey Lane Norton Woodseats in the County of Derby
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same has to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:—
This invention relates to an improved means by which vessels, Launches and
boats may be propelled and steered, and by which leakage or bilge water may be
expelled.
One method of carrying out my invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings,
but modifications would of necessity be required for vessels of different size and
build.
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation of a launch or other boat, showing the application
of my invention to the stern.
Fig. 2, plan of same.
Fig. 3, elevation of the stern of boat.
Fig. 4, elevation of the prow of boat.
Fig. 5, Plan showing the use of continuous pipes from inlet to propeller.
Fig. 6, Plan showing propellers arranged for steering and propelling.
In its most simple form of construction which is shown in the annexed drawings
as applied to a steam launch or other boat, it consists of a cylindrical casing A,
fitted into the stern of the boat and containing a screw B, carried by a shaft C,
suitably supported in bearings D, and driven direct from the engines E or other
motor as indicated, or by intermediate gearing as preferred.
This cylindrical screw casing may be attached to a pipe or a series of pipes P
leading to the front or prow of the boat and terminating in a tubular opening F,
Fig. 4, and shown in Fig. 5.
Ör in some cases the screw casing may open directly into the lower part G, of
the boat, which would be closed in by decking H, but would be provided with a
similar tubular inlet F.
In such a case I prefer to provide a valve to both the outlet and the inlet
marked I, which could be opened or closed as desired, for examination &c.
Water would thus enter at the forward end by the inlet F, and be expelled by
the screw B, from the outlet casing A, which would thus propel the boat.
In larger vessels, valves to open into the separate compartiments and communi-
cating with the main pipes would enable each compartment to be drained of water
by the action of the screw, the inlet valve being closed during such operation.
I also utilize this construction for the purpose of steering the vessel if desirable,
in which case I use two sets of main tubes radiating from the engine to each
side of the rudder frame or keel as shown in Fig. 6, and each having a screw work-
ing in a tubular casing as before described. These tubes being at an angle with
the keel of the vessel, it follows that if one screw is at rest and the other at work
the vessel will be propelled in a circle, and be moved to the right or left as the
case may be.
By drawing water in from the front of the boat or vessel I reduce the resistance
at the bow and am thereby enabled to propel the vessel with less power, or to
obtain an increase of speed.
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 I
claim is:-
1. A system for propelling ships and other vessels, consisting of a screw capable

page_text: of being revolved within a tubular casing provided with an exit at the stern, and
in connection with a water passage having an open inlet in front of the bows of
the vessel, into which the water enters and is forced out of the exit by the action
of the screw, as hereinbefore described and shown.
2. A system for propelling and steering vessels, consisting of a screw revolving
in a tubular casing fixed on each side of the rudder or thereabouts, with the
shafts converging to the motor or motors so as to form an acute angle, and con-
nected with a water way having an open inlet in front or at the bows of the
vessel, as hereinbefore described.
Dated the 26th day of August 1897.
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for Applicant.