Improvements in Ships or Vessels and in Means for Propelling and Steering the same.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
DIMUITICALIUM.
Improvements in Ships or Vessels and in Means for Propelling and
Steering the same.
We, FREDERICK AUGUSTUS KNAPP of the Town of Prescott, in the County of
Leeds, and Province of Ontario, Canada, Barrister-at-Law, and GEORGE GOODWIN,
of No. Sixty-six Stewart Street, in the City of Ottawa, in the County of Carleton,
and said Province of Ontario, Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to devise a vessel capable of attaining a high rate
of speed with absolute safety and great economy of power, and, it consists,
essentially, of a rotatable double outer hull within which are suspended stationary
hulls or compartments containing the freight or passengers, and the motive power,
suitable steering apparatus being provided, and the whole constructed in detail
substantially as hereinafter more particularly specified and then definitely claimed.
Figure 1, is a longitudinal section of the improved, vessel.
Figure 2, is an end elevation of the same, showing the pilot house in section.
Figure 3, is a cross section through a—b in Fig. 1.
In the drawings, like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the
different figures.
A, is the hull of the vessel, preferably about 150 (one hundred and fifty feet)
in diameter, and about seven hundred and fifty feet long. This is formed by two
cylinders B, and C, enclosing an annular air space D. The diameter of the inner
cylinder is preferably about eighty feet so that the inner and outer walls of the air
space D, are about thirty five feet apart. The air space D, is closed at the ends
by the annular bulk heads E. A series of annular bulk heads F, are preferably
provided at intervals from end to end of the air space_D. G, are a series of
longitudinal bulk heads further dividing the air space D.
:
From this construction it follows that the hull of the vessel is exceedingly strong
and very light, and also that the lower edge of the inner cylinder of the hull is
raised well above the surface of the water, ensuring dryness in a sea-way.
H, are spiders connected to the hull A.
The
I, are stationary hulls for passengers or freight, journalled on the said spiders.
J, are hollow shafts rigidly connected to these hulls at their outer ends.
shafts J pass through bearings K, carried by the outer spiders H.
L, is the stationary hull carrying the machinery.
M, is the driving shaft suitably journalled in the stationary hull L, and rigidly
connected to the inner spiders H. Upon the ends of this shaft M, the stationary
hulls I, may be journalled, if desired.
From this construction it follows that if a rotary motion be given to the shaft M,
it will be imparted to the hull A.

page_text: The driving mechanism is shown a N, where a single cylinder is shown with its
piston connected to a crank on the shaft. The mechanism shown at N, is simply
for the purpose of indicating how power is applied to the shaft. In practice suitable
triple expansion engines would preferably be employed, and the power might be
differently applied to the hull.
In Fig. 1, the hull A, is shown divided in the middle, and the two halves suitably
connected by open truss work. By this means light and air are admitted to the
centre of the vessel and an exit afforded for the products of combustion from the
furnace.
The hollow shafts J, project some distance beyond the hull A, at either end and
pilot houses O, are swung thereon.
P, are arms journalled on the hollow shaft, and pivoted at their lower ends near
the upper edge of a drag Q.
S, is a chain connected to the drag Q, near its lower edge.
T, is a windlass contained within the pilot house, and arranged to wind up the
chain S, so as to cause the drag Q to enter the water to a greater or less extent, as
might be desired.
The arms P, are preferably provided with counter balances P¹, connected by a
cross-bar to which a chain S¹, is connected, operated by the windlass T. By
reversing the motion of the windlass T, the drags Q may be raised clear of the
water when so desired.
U, are arched canopies covering the stationary hulls so as to shield the passengers
and crew from water which may have entered the inner cylinder C, and been
carried up over the stationary hulls by centrifugal force.
means of
As indicated in the drawings, the hollow shafts J, furnish a
communication between the stationary hulls I, and the pilot houses O, and thence
outside the vessel when in dock. An entrance door W, is also provided in each
stationary hull I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
V, are a series of flanges running from end to end of the hull A, so that it will
take the necessary grip of the water when revolved by the action of the machinery
at N. This rolling action admits of a high rate of speed being given to the hull,
with a comparatively small expenditure of power.
If it is desired to turn the vessel to star-board, the windlass T, in the star-board
pilot house is set in motion and the drag Q, caused to assume a more vertical position
by means of the chain S. The drag theu takes a strong grip of the water, and that
end of the vessel is retarded so as to cause it to slowly swing to star-board. If it
be desired to swing to port, the port drag Q, is operated. If it be desired to stop
the vessel without reversing the engines, both drags are put in operation at once.
To provide against the remote contingency of a break down occurring, in the
bearings, it may be preferable to locate tracks around the inside of the hull, with
which rollers or shoes on the stationary hulls may engage if the breakage allows
the hulls to drop.
The points of construction of the device which is claimed as being of particular
importance are the double skinned cylindrical hull, of which the inner skin or
cylinder is of such diameter that its lower side is raised sufficiently high above the
surface of the water to keep its interior dry in all ordinary weather: (as the draft
of water is only about ten or eleven feet, a vessel with dimensions such as described
would have about twenty-five feet of free board). Second, in the use of drag
rudders at each end of the hull; Third, in the use of the hollow axles rigidly
connected to the inner stationary hulls so as to afford ready access to the pilot
houses outside the vessel; Fourth, in the direct application of the power to a
central shaft and thence to the outer hull; Fifth, in the construction of the hull
in two sections connected together by truss work so as to leave an opening for the
admission of air and light, and for the emission of smoke (although the hull might
also be made without this central division).
Telephone and signal communication will of course be provided between all parts
of the vessel.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable outer hull comprising two
cylinders substantially concentric to each other and having an annular air space
between them, bulkheads subdividing said air-space into water-tight compartments,
the inner cylinder being of such a size that its lower side is above the water-line,
stationary compartments inside of said rotatable hull, and mechanism for rotating
the rotatable hull around said stationary compartments, substantially as described.
2. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable outer hull comprising two
substantially concentric cylinders confining an air-space between them, the air
space inclosed by the outer cylinder entirely surrounding and protecting the inner
cylinder, bulkheads subdividing said air-space into water-tight compartments,
in combination with stationary compartments suitably supported inside of said
rotatable hull, and mechanism constructed and arranged to rotate said rotatable
hull around the stationary compartments, substantially as described.
3. In a vessel of the class described, a series of stationary compartments, one of
which has a driving shaft therein and suitable mechanism for driving said shaft,
a rotatable outer hull surrounding said stationary compartments, means as the
spiders connecting said outer hull with said driving shaft, a hollow shaft at the
outer end of each of the outer stationary compartments, and means as the spiders
forming connections between said rotatable hull and said hollow shafts, whereby
the outer hull is rotated around the stationary compartments when the driving
shaft is rotated, substantially as described.
4. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable outer hull, comprising two
substantially concentric cylinders inclosing an air-space between them, the air-space
inclosed by the outer cylinder entirely surrounding and protecting the inner
cylinder, stationary compartments inside of said outer hull and spiders connecting
said compartments and the outer hull, the outer bearing of each of said compart-
ments being formed by a hollow shaft journaled in said spiders, a central
stationary compartment also located inside of said rotatable hull, a central driving
shaft connected to the outer hull by one or more of said spiders and located in one
of aid stationary compartments, and means for operating said shaft and thereby
rotating the outer hull around the stationary compartments, substantially as
described.
5. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable flanged outer hull made in two
sections connected by open truss work, in combination with two stationary compart-
ments located inside of said outer hull, swinging from spiders connected to the
ictatable hull, the outer bearing of each compartment being formed by a hollow snaft
rigidly connected to the said hull and journalled in the end spider; a central
stationary compartment also swinging from spiders connected to the rotatable hull,
a central shaft in one of said compartments rigidly connected to one or more of
the said spiders and means located in the said central compartment for rotating
the said shaft, thereby rotating the outer hull around the stationary compartments,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable outer hull made in two sections
connected together by open truss work, each section comprising two cylinders
inclosing an annular air space, the inner cylinder being of such a diameter that
its lower side is above the water line, bulk-heads dividing the air space into water
tight compartments, a series of longitudinal flanges connected to the outside of the
hull, interior stationary compartments and mechanism in one of said compartments
for driving said rotatable outer hull around said stationary compartments,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7. In a vessel of the class described, the combination of a hull comprising
cylinders B, and C, inclosing an air-space between them, flanges V, connected to
the outer of said cylinders, bulk-heads E F, and G, dividing the air space between

page_text: said cylinders into water-tight compartments, stationary compartments I, and L,
shafts J, and M., spiders connecting said shafts and the hull, and means for driving
cne of said shafts, with pilot houses 0, drags Q, and means as the windlasses and
chains for operating said arags, substantially as described.
8. In a vessel of the class described, the hull A, made in two sections connected
together by open truss work, each section comprising two cylinders enclosing an
air-space D, the cylinder C, being of such a diameter that its lower side is above
the water line, bulk heads E, closing the ends of the air space; bulk
heads F, and G, subdividing the air space, and a series of longitudinal flanges
connected to the outside of the hull, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a vessel of the class described, a rotatable outer hull comprising. two
cylinders having an air space inclosed between them, bulk heads dividing said
space into water tight compartments, a series of stationary compartments inside
of said rotatable hull, a driving shaft in one of said stationary compartments and
mechanism for operating the same, spiders connecting said shaft with the outer
hull, a pilot-house suitably supported at the outer end of each of the outer
stationary compartments, drag-rudders supported by said pilot-houses, and
mechanism for operating said drag-rudders, substantially as described.
air
Dated this 13th day of April 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.