IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jonathan Jopling, of Bishop Wearmouth, in the County of
Durham, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND
STEERING VESSELS."
Sealed the 9th November 1877, and dated the 11th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jonathan Jopling at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1877.
JONATHAN JOPLING, of Bishop Wearmouth, in the County of Durham. "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS."
My Invention consists of improvements upon the Letters Patent granted to me,
bearing date the 30th of May 1865, No. 1481. In the Specification of the said
Letters Patent the fan was put into a case which was just large enough to hold the fan.
Now this arrangement in practice I have found liable to the great objection that the
vessel cannot be readily propelled or steered owing to the fact that the water cannot
issue from the case with the force and volume required.
Now to obviate these defects I provide a large area for water between the extre-
mity of the fan wheel and the inside of case in which the fan rotates; for instance,
if the case be, say, four feet in diameter, then the fan wheel will be two feet, or one
and a half feet, or thereabouts.
I also construct the case of a conical form, instead of flat or parallel, in order that
the outlet may be contracted, and this causes the water to issue with greater force.
This outlet (vertically) will be about one-half of the depth of the fan wheel, and the
width of outlet (horizontally) will be about the fan wheel's diameter.
The arrangements are worked similarly to that described in the Letters Patent
above referred to, or other well-known modes may be employed if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jonathan Jopling in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
November 1877.
c
JONATHAN JOPLING, of Bishop Wearmouth, in the County of Durham. "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS."
My Invention consists of improvements upon the Letters Patent granted to me,
bearing date the 30th May 1865, No. 1481. In the Specification of the said Letters
Patent the fan was put into a case which was just large enough to hold the fan.
This arrangement in practice I have found liable to the great objection that the
vessel cannot be readily propelled or be steered with sufficient facility owing to the
fact that the water cannot issue from the case with the force and volume required.
Now to obviate these defects I provide a large area for water between the extre-
mity of the fan wheel and the inside of case in which the fan rotates; for instance,
if the case be, say, four feet in diameter, then the fan wheel would be a foot and a
half in diameter or thereabouts.
I also construct the case of a conical form, instead of flat at top and bottom, in
order that the outlet may be contracted, as this causes the water to issue with
greater force. This outlet (vertically) will be about one-half of the depth of the fan
wheel, and the width of outlet (horizontally) will be about the fan wheel's
diameter.
The arrangements are worked similarly to that described in the Letters Patent
above referred to, or other well-known modes may be employed if desired.
Having thus far described the nature of the said Invention, and incidentally inti-
mated in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice, I will
now proceed (aided by the accompanying Drawings)-to further and particularly
describe and ascertain in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out
in practice, that is to say :—
improved arrangements.
Fig. 2 shows the elevation of the case with outlet.
Fig. 3, plan of case at under side.
Fig. 4, plan of case at top side.
Fig. 5 is a section of case and fan wheel.
Fig. 6 is a plan of fan wheel.
Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus.
In these Figures A is the fan wheel mounted on shaft B; C is the case in which
the fan wheel A rotates, said case being so constructed as to allow a large area for
water, which enters at C¹ both at upper and under side of case.
The action is as follows:-The water enters the case at C¹ at both top and
bottom, an opening D in the circumference being left in the case to allow the water
to pass out. To propel or steer the vessel the hollow shaft or tube B¹ is inade to
revolve, which also moves the case until the opening D in the circumference thereof
allows the water to escape in the direction required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improved Apparatus for
Propelling and Steering Vessels," substantially as the same is herein-before set forth,
and described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, the important and
peculiar point or feature thereof being the providing of a large area for water

page_text: between the extremity of the fan wheel and the inside of the case in which the fan
rotates, substantially as herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jonathan Jopling, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JONATHAN JOPLING. (L.S.)
Witness,
W. HILLIER,
Clerk to Inventors' Patent Right Association La.,
21, Cockspur Street,
London, S.W.