RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Arthur Dillon, of Number 19, Lower
Sherard Street, in the City of Dublin, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 4th April 1876, and dated the 13th October 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Arthur Dillon
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th October 1875.
I, THOMAS ARTHUR DILLON, of No. 19, Lower Sherard Street,
in the City of Dublin, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER
VESSELS," to be as follows:-
I propose to inject or force into the sunken ship or vessel air, gas, or
vapour, or any fluid or liquid, such as oil or spirit, the specific gravity
of which is lighter than the medium or fluid in which the sunken vessel
is submerged, so that the said ship or vessel into which the above-
mentioned air, gas, or fluid is introduced will of necessity become
lighter and more buoyant than the surrounding medium and riso to the

page_text: surface in obedience to the law of specific gravities. I sometimes com-
bine air and gas; I prefer air alone.
The methods hitherto suggested consist in the inflation by air or gas
of pontoons, bags, and such-like appliances, which are previously
attached to the sunken ship. Sometimes air bags are introduced into
the ship. The disadvantages of such systems are obvious. Inflated
pontoons or bags outside the ship must be inconveniently large and
cumbersome in order to overcome the inertia of the submerged ship,
and the introduction of bags into the vessel itself cannot effectually
displace the water contained in such vessel, and are liable to the chances
of being pierced and torn by nails, splinters, jagged edges, and such-like
obstacles. If the decks are weak, bags arc liable to burst them up when
the air pressure amounts to a considerable strength.
In forcing air by my system I relieve the pressure upon the decks
and compartments of the ships by introducing along with the air pressure
hoses, herein-after described, an exhausting tube, simultaneously through
which the water contained in the vessel escapes.
I will now describe one method and apparatus in illustration of what
has been above stated relative to the injection of air into the submerged
vessel. I select an ordinary steam boiler of the largest practicable size.
Into this boiler air is forced by suitable air pumps actuated by steam,
water, or other power. Pressure in the boiler must overbalance the
hydrostatic pressure of the water in which the ship is submerged. A
hose or hoses is or are introduced deeply into the openings in the ship;
a second boiler of convenient size and strength is exhausted of air by an
ordinary exhausting air pump similarly actuated by steam or other
power; a hose or hoses similar to those already described as issuing
from the air pressure boiler likewise issue from the exhausted boiler and
enter the same openings of the ship with the hoses already described.
When the air pressure cock and exhaust cock are simultaneously
opened the water rushes into the exhausted boiler in amount and with
rapidity equal to the pressure of the condensed air and height of water
column, as will be easily understood by practical and scientific men.
Air and gas may be used together, and in certain cases oil or spirit
may be used, as already stated.
The combination of air and gas may be effected in several ways, one
of which I will now describe. After the air pressure has been got up

page_text: adopt this method, except in rare instances, where the vessel is small
and when the appliances already described could not be procurable.
In some cases I surround or place underneath a sunken vessel tanks
charged with compressed air or gas, or a combination of both, as above
described, and discharge by electrical or other convenient methods the
contents of such receptacles towards the sunken vessel so as to lighten
and lift it, after the manner and according to the principle above
described.
It is obvious that the generation of gas may take place by the junction
of chemical ingredients, familiar to practical and scientific men, within
the submerged vessel itself in some instances. For example, carbonic
acid gas might be generated by introducing easily broken receptacles
filled one with acid and one with carbonate of lime. This would be a
very convenient method where the steam boilers and apparatus above
described could not be obtained.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Thomas
Arthur Dillon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th May
1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
ARTHUR DILLON, of 19, Lower Sherard Street, in the City of Dublin,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, Her
special licence that I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Arthur Dillon, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of

page_text: "
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS,'
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Arthur
Dillon, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 said Invention is to induce sunken ships or vessels
to rise to the surface and remain afloat. I adopt for the purpose the
following method and apparatus, both of which may be varied in detail
without diverging from the main principle of the Invention, which is to
temporarily overmaster the inertia of the submerged ship or vessel by
displacement of the water contained in it, and substitution therefor of
certain elements, gaseous or liquid, or solid, singly or in combination,
whose specific gravity is sufficiently below that of the fluid which fills
and surrounds the said sunken ship or vessel, and that this introduction
and substitution of the lighter media may be performed independent of
the operations of divers, which renders such operations in deep water or
rapid streams dangerous or impracticable. As a rule I inject or discharge
by suitable means as herein-after described, atmospheric air, gas, liquid,
or such like lighter media into the sunken ship with sufficient force to
expel the denser liquid contained in the latter. If for instance a ship
lies in 90 or 100 feet of water this will amount to a water pressure on
the bottom equivalent to three atmospheres or 45lbs. pressure to the
square inch. It is then only necessary in ordinary cases to know
generally the cubical contents of water in the sunken ship, and to
provide a sufficient quantity of the lighter air, gas, or liquid, say at
50 lbs. pressure to the inch, and to suddenly discharge these elements
singly or combined into the sunken ship in order to imbue her with
sufficient buoyancy and cause her to rise. The more sudden the
discharge the better is the effect produced generally speaking.

page_text: the air or gas, singly or in combination, takes place; water can be used
for this purpose, but I prefer steam and air mixed.
Second Case. I suppose a vessel with decks safe, but with sides and
bottom broken, as is the supposed and recognised condition of Her
Majesty's ship Vanguard at present. Over such vessel I propose to
drop and spread a sail or such like flexible covering in the manner
herein-after described. Through the upper surface of said sail, and as
much over the centre of the ship as convenient and possible, I introduce
a pipe or hose of suitable strength, diameter, and length, and I cause
the said sail or covering to be secured and fastened on to and around
the said ship by means of a noose of chain or rope as herein-after
described, and in such a manner as that there shall be left a sufficiently.
deep margin of said sail round the bottom of the ship. It is plain that.
upon air being forced through said hose underneath said sail, that the
latter will distend and become like a diving bell, and the water will be
forced from it as in the case of an ordinary diving bell downwards, but
as the said sail or bag (which is termed a bag for convenience and
simplicity) is attached to the ship, the water from the ship will obey the
same law and be driven downwards also and laterally out of the ship
under the loose or free edges of the said sail or bag, which margin,
curtain, edge, or flap of such sail will act as a valve and prevent it (the
water) from returning to the ship, and likewise will subsequently cling
into the ship's sides and bottom when she rises, and thus enwrap her and
defend her against the risk of again filling and sinking.
It is obvious that in lieu of the said sail or bag herein-before
described, a more rigid material of metal or wood may be used singly or
in combination, and there are situations in which such rigid substances
can be conveniently used in combination with tho outer valve flap or
curtain above described, which surrounding curtain or flap I deem
necessary and indispensible in all cases, because while it allows the
water to depart freely under the pressure of the lighter medium, it acts
as a valve against the return of the heavier fluid when the vessel rises.
This curtain or hanging flap is to be aided as much as possible in its
tendency to cling to and be sucked or pressed to the vessel's sides and
bottom both before she rises and afterwards. A natural consequence of
the inflation of the said canvas bag or sail, and of its diving bell
principle is that men may frequently descend through it to the sunken
ship with safety, and either loosen or clean away sand, close or open up

page_text: hatches or doors, attach chains or ropes to guns or treasure cases, and
otherwise act as though the vessel lay temporarily in a dry dock. If
water-tight compartments have become filled with water or sand, steam,
air, or water hoses with or without exhaust pipes may be used. The
water exhaust or suction apparatus must of course be used when the
bottom or sides of the ship do not allow the water to disappear downwards
under the pressure.
Third Case. When the ship's bottom and sides are sound and that sho
lies perhaps on an even keel. Here since (unless a hole can be made
below) the water cannot escape downwards, a suction or exhaust pipe is
dropped through the said sail bag from above, the water will flow
through such suction or exhaust pipe upwards, notwithstanding that the
depth of the ship exceeds the influence of atmospheric pressure on the
suction pump, because the additional tension of air sent down through
the said sail bag will compensate for the atmospheric want of power
alluded to as is well known to practical and scientific men. Supposing
for instance a ship lying in 10 fathoms of water, this would amount to
sixty feet or about a couple of atmospheres of 15 lbs. to the inch of
pressure. As soon as the air became compressed to 30 lbs. the squaro
inch, the suction pump would begin to deliver freely and thus empty the
ship of water.
Fourth Case. Where a combination of water exhaust power and
downward air or gas pressure is requisite. Although this instance is
illustrated in case No. 3, because the converse of that proposition is
easily understood. I will supposo a vessel water-tight as above
described and lying in only 20 feet of water. Here a suction pump
would empty the ship of water by atmospheric pressure, but the
atmosphere should be allowed free access through a hose to the water in
the ship. I lay no general claim to this method as a novel feature of
my Invention, I quote it for the purpose of better illustration.
Fifth Case. Where liquids may be substituted for air or gas. Suppose
a ship to be lying sunk or entangled close to shore, and that a very
slight power only is required to assist in lifting her free, and that a
supply of fresh water and a common suction pump are available.
A hose from the fresh water is to be directed either through the sail
bag herein-before described, or into the ship direct and the pump action
commenced. A suction and force pump may be used if no head of fresh

page_text: water is available. Here the sea water, of denser specific weight, would
be supplanted by the fresh water of lighter weight. And the same
method in rare and exceptional cases might be used when only oil or
spirits could be obtained. Suppose for example a treasure ship sinking
close to a ship laden with oil or spirits, the introduction of the oil or
spirits, if discharged from a height (say from the mast) of the oil ship
into the hold of the treasure ship would displace the sea water by
hydrostatic pressure, and would assist in lightening the sinking ship for
a time.
Sixth Case. Where the production of ice inside or outside a ship or
vessel might assist in raising the latter. Compressed air is used to
produce ice. A stream of compressed air may be used to produce an
outer or an inner coating of ice so as to stop holes otherwise impossible
to be got at, and if a headland were near and as in some of the mountain
mines on the Continent, a head of water were procurable to compress the
air, the operations of producing ice plugs and substituting fresh water
could be carried on by the introduction of hoses or pipes of suitable size
and strength. In all cases I prefer to use common air and the sail
bag method as herein-before described, but there are instances and
emergencies where it would be cheaper and readier to use one or other
of the several methods herein-before described or their converses.
I illustrate a converse case as follows:-Suppose a closed cask or
other like vessel to have dropped into and sunk in a tank or well, and
that a very little increase of buoyancy would enable the same to rise
to the surface, but that neither pump action or other means of emptying
the said sunken cask could be used. Then the saturation of the outer
water by salt or brime would at once cause the inner and sunken vessel
to become specifically lighter, as where amply laden ships emerging
from fresh into sea water become more buoyant, as is well known
to seamen and other practical and scientific men. I do not claim
this latter suggestion as an Invention, it being merely given as an
illustration.
I recommend in almost all cases, except where the sail bag principle
is used, that the air or gas, singly or combined, be suddenly discharged
in the manner herein-before described, as this is an essential and
important element of success.
The method which I adopt by preference for encasing a submerged
ship in the sail bag herein-beforo described is as follows:-Having

page_text: ascertained the position of the submerged ship by soundings or other-
wise, also the nature of the currents and bed on which she lies, a sail of
sufficient size is weighted on the one side and dropped to the windward
of the ship, so that the current or wind will carry the sail over the ship;
the lee side of the sail is then to be weighted and lowered. In this
manner a great sail covering will have been dropped over the sunken
ship. A lighter or other small vessel will now drop and wind a coil of
rope or chain round the sail as close to the lower part of the ship as will
tighten and "tuck in" the said sail round and under the booms, chains,
and projections of the said submerged ship; this method may be varied
in detail without departing from the principle herein described. When
liquids are used an explosion is impossible, nevertheless the more
rapidly the discharge the better.
In pumping air into the sail bag or diving bag herein-before
described, I prefer to use an apparatus of the following nature:-A
paddle steamer having anchored close to the sunken ship her paddle
floats are dismounted, so that the said steamer cannot move away. Two
or more large and weighty diving bells are to be attached to the
said steamer's axle shaft. These diving bell shaped air pumps lift up
and down in the sea without heat or friction over the steamer's sides, and
being fitted with valves and hoses they alternately rise and sink under
the action of the crank shaft, and in doing so they rapidly compress and
force the air underneath the sail or bag herein-before described, and
thus displace the water by compression, or by compression and suction,
as may easily be understood. I do not here claim originality for the
principle of such form of pump, as the same has been used heretofore
by others, but I claim originality for the combination of using the same
in connection with the steamer axle shaft, and for the purpose of
exhausting water and compressing air simultaneously.
Having now described and set forth the nature and object of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein shown and described, as such may
be varied without departing from the peculiar character of my Inven-
tion. I would also observe that I am aware that the mere use of air
and gas, singly or combined, in bags, cylinders, casks, or pontoons, all
requiring the assistance of divers, has been suggested heretofore for the
purpose of raising submerged ships or other bodies, and to such methods

page_text: I lay no general claim, but what I do claim as new and useful, and as
my said Invention is,―
Firstly. The overmastering of the inertia of the submerged ship or
other body by the rapid displacement of the water contained in it
without the aid of the operations of divers, in the manner substantially
as herein-before described and set forth.
Secondly. The employment of a canvas sail or other suitable material
for enwrapping and raising the vessel or other body without the aid of
divers, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein-before
described.
Thirdly the employment of steam, air, or water pressure through hoses
combined with exhaust or suction pipes in combination with the said
canvas sail or bag, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as
herein-before described.
Fourthly. The employment of liquids, such as fresh water, oil, or
spirits, for the purpose of lightening and preventing vessels from sinking,
in the manner substantially as herein-before described.
Fifthly. The production of ice by compressed air in the manner and
for the purpose substantially as herein-before described.
Sixthly. The combination of using diving-bell shaped frictionless air
compressing pumps and valve suction pumps in connection with the
axle shaft or shafts of steamers in the manner and for the purpose sub-
stantially as hercin-before described.
In witness whercof, I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of May in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
THOMAS ARTHUR DILLON. (L.S.)

page_text: In the fatter of Letters Patent granted to THOMAS ARTHUR DILLON, of
No. 19, Lower Sherard Street, in the City of Dublin, Gentleman, for the
Invention of "RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER
VESSELS," bearing date the 13th day of October 1875, No. 3550.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be entered
by the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, as such patentee as aforesaid, pursuant to
the Statutes in that case made and provided.
Whereas since the filing of the Specification to the said Letters Patent I have been
advised that it is doubtful whether the three claims with which the Specification
terminates are of such practical utility as to render it desirable to retain them in
the Specification, and I wish to avoid objections which may be made to those
claims. Also I have discovered certain clerical errors in the said Specification
whereby it is rendered deficient in point of clearness. I am therefore desirous for
the aforesaid reasons of disclaiming and amending, and I do hereby disclaim and
strike out and amend certain words in the said Specification, so as to confine
the Invention to the subject matter of the three first claiming clauses, numbered
respectively "Firstly," "Secondly," and "Thirdly," and to render the details of
the description more satisfactory, that is to say :-
"
"
Referring to the said Specification as it is printed by Her Majesty's Printers, at
page five, line twenty, I place the word gaseous "within parentheses, thus,
(gaseous), and I strike out the words "or liquid or solid." In line twenty-two I
strike out the word "that." In Line twenty-three, I alter "independent" to
independently." In line twenty-four, I strike out the words "renders such," and
insert the word "are" between the word "operations" and the words "in deep."
In line twenty-six, I strike out the word "liquid." In line thirty-three, I insert the
word "or" between the word "air" and the word "gas," and I strike out the
words" or liquid." At page six, I strike out lines thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and
sixteen, commencing with the word "fifthly," and ending with "useful." In line
twenty, I substitute a full stop for the comma after the word "divers," and I sub-
stitute a capital K for the small k in the word "knowing." In line thirty, I strike
out the words "ship or." On page seven, in line fourteen, I erase the word "that."
At page eight, I strike out lines thirty-one to thirty-seven inclusive, commencing
with the word "fifth," and ending with "fresh." On page nine, I strike out lines
[Price 4d1

page_text: one to thirty-two inclusive, commencing with the word "water," and ending with
"illustration." On page ten, I strike out the paragraph commencing with the word
"when" in lino eleven, and ending with "better" in line thirteen. In line twenty-
six, I insert the words " or use "between the word "principle" and the words ". of
such," and I erase the concluding portion of the same paragraph, commencing with
the words "but I claim" in line twenty-seven, and ending with the word "simul-
taneously" in line twenty-nine. On page eleven, I erase the word "water," and
place the word "or" between, in line eleven. Lastly, I strike out the paragraphs
commencing at line fifteen with the word "fourthly" down to and including the
words "as herein-before described" in line twenty-three.
"steam" and "air"
And in order that the effect of this Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
may be clearly seen I append a copy of the Specification as it will appear when
such Disclaimer and Meniorandum of Alteration is made as aforesaid.
"TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS ARTHUR
DILLON, of 19, Lower Sherard Street, in the City of Dublin, Gentleman, send
groeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the Thirteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Arthur
Dillon, Her special license that I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, uso, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "RAISING AND FLOATING SUBMERGED SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, do hereby declare
the nature of my said 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 said Invention is to induce sunken ships or vessels to rise to the
surface and remain afloat. I adopt for the purpose the following method and
apparatus, both of which may be varied in detail without diverging from the main
principle of tho Invention, which is to temporarily overmaster the inertia of the
submerged ship or vessel by displacement of the water contained in it, and substitu-
tion therefor of certain elements (gaseous), singly or in combination, whose specific
gravity is sufficiently below that of the fluid which fills and surrounds the said
sunken ship or vessel, and this introduction and substitution of the lighter media
may be performed independently of the operations of divers, which operations are
in deep water or rapid streams dangerous or impracticable. As a rule I inject or dis-
charge, by suitable means, as herein-after described, atmospheric air, gas, or such like
lighter media into the sunken ship with sufficient force to expel the denser liquid
contained in the latter. If, for instance, a ship lies in 90 or 100 feet of water, this
will amount to a water pressure on the bottom equivalent to threo atmospheres,
or 45 lbs. pressure to the square inch. It is then only necessary, in ordinary cases,
to know generally the cubical contents of water in the sunken ship, and to provide
a sufficient quantity of the lighter air or gas at, say, 50 lbs. pressure to the inch, and
to suddenly charge these elements singly or combined into the sunken ship, in
dis
4

page_text: order to fubue her with SUDICInt Duoyancy and catus TIC
the discharge the better is the effect produced generally speaking.
.Ա: ՄՆ Ա-
But to illustrate inore accurately the conditions under which iny said Invention
may be practically carried out I will proceed to describe a series of typical cases :-
I select, in the first case, that of an undecked vessel whose bottom is sound.
Secondly. The case of a ship whose decks are sound but whose bottom or sides
are injured.
Thirdly. The case of a ship or vessel whose sides, bottom, and decks are perfectly
sound, although from some cause she may happen to sink.
Fourthly. Cases wherein a combination of air pressure and exhaust power with
steam may be simultaneously used.
First case. An open vessel, such as an undecked boat, may be readily compelled
to rise to the surface by the sudden explosion into it and around it of compressed air or
although such bont or open vessel is below the reach of divers.
▲
gas, singly or combined, Knowing generally the area of the boat and knowing the
depth of the water in which she lies subinerged, the contents of a reservoir of
sufficiently compressed air is discharged suddenly directly over, and as close as possible
into and around the boat, so as forcibly and momentarily to expel the water from it;
the boat thereupon will instantly rise to the surface, and if towed with reasonable
rapidity she cannot sink again to the bottom, since her movement being the resultant
of two forces, a downward and an onward force, she will follow the tow boat in a
diagonal manner, as a lead sinker follows at the end of a fishing line when pulled
through the water. The vessel herein alluded to may be drawn in upon a sail which
may be wrapped round her, or can be towed into harbour as may be found convenient.
If sand has been accumulating in or around said boat a strong jet of steam or air,
separately or combined, but preferably in combination, should be allowed to play
through a hose in and about the said boat so as to loosen the sand before the
explosion of the air or gas, singly or in combination, takes place; water can be used
for this purpose, but I prefer steam and air mixed.
Second case. I suppose a vessel with decks safe, but with sides and bottom
broken, as is the supposed and recognised condition of Her Majesty's Ship Vanguard
at present. Over such vessel I propose to drop and spread a sail or such like
flexible covering, in the manner herein-after described. Through the upper surface of
said sail and as much over the centre of the ship as convenient and possible, I
introduce a pipe or hose of suitable strength, diameter, and length, and I cause the
said sail or covering to be secured and fastened on to and around the said ship by
means of a noose of chain or rope, as herein-after described, and in such a manner
as that there shall be left a sufficiently deep margin of said sail round the bottom of
the ship. It is plain that upon air being forced through said hose underneath said
sail the latter will distend and become like a diving bell, and the water will be forced
from it, as in the case of an ordinary diving bell downwards; but as the said sail
or bag (which is termed a bag for convenience and simplicity) is attached to the
ship the water from the ship will obey the same law and be driven downwards also
and laterally out of the ship under the loose or free edges of the said sail or bag,
which margin, curtain edge, or flap of such sail will act as a valve and prevent it
(the water) from returning to the ship, and likewise will subsequently cling into
the ship's sides and bottom when she rises, and thus enwrap her and defend her
against the risk of again filling and sinking.
It is obvious that in lieu of the said sail or bag, herein-before described, a more
rigid material of metal or wood may be used singly or in combination, and there
are situations in which such rigid substances can be conveniently used in com-
bination with the outer valve, flap, or curtain above described, which surrounding
curtain or flap I deem necessary and indispensible in all cases, because while it
allows the water to depart freely under the pressure of the lighter medium, it acts
as a valve against the return of the heavier fluid when the vessel rises. This
curtain or hanging flap is to be aided as much as possible in its tendency to cling to
a.d be sucked or pressed to the vessel's sides and bottom, both before she rises and

page_text: afterwards. A natural consequence of the inflation of the said canvas bag or sail
and of its diving bell principle is, that men may frequently descend through it to
the sunken ship with safety, and either loosen or clean away sand, close or open up
hatches or doors, attach chains or ropes to guns or treasure cases, and otherwise act
as though the vessel lay temporarily in a dry dock. If water-tight compartments
have become filled with water or sand, steam, air, or water hoses with or without
exhaust pipes may be used. The water exhaust or suction apparatus must of course
be used when the bottom or sides of the ship do not allow the water to disappear
downwards under the pressure.
Third case. When the ship's bottom and sides are sound and that she lies por-
haps on an even keel. Here since (unless a hole can be made below) the water cannot
cscape downwards, a suction or exhaust pipe is dropped through the said sail bag
from above; the water will flow through such suction or oxhaust pipe upwards, not-
withstanding that the depth of the ship exceeds the influence of atmospheric
pressure on the suction pump, because the additional tension of air sent down
through the said sail bag will compensate for the atmospheric want of power alluded
to, as is well known to practical and scientific men. Supposing for instance a ship
lying in 10 fathoms of water, this would amount to 60 feet, or about a couple of
atmospheres of 15 lbs. to the inch of pressure. As soon as the air became com-
pressed to 30 lbs. the square inch the suction pump would begin to deliver freely
and thus empty the ship of water.
air or
Fourth case.- - Where a combination of water exhaust power and downward
gas pressure is requisite. Although this instance is illustrated in case No. 3,
because the converse of that proposition is easily understood, I will suppose a
vessel water-tight as above described and lying in only 20 feet of water. Here
a suction pump would empty the ship of water by atmospheric pressure, but the
atmosphere should be allowed free access through a hose to the water in the ship.
I lay no general claim to this method as a novel feature of my Invention, I quote it
for the purpose of better illustration.
I recommend in almost all cases, except where the sail bag principle is used, that
the air or gas, singly or combined, be suddenly discharged in the manner herein-
before described, as this is an essential and important element of success.
The method which I adopt by preference for encasing a submerged ship in the
sail bag herein-before described is as follows:-Having ascertained the position of
the submerged ship by soundings or otherwise, also the nature of the currents and
bed on which she lies, a sail of sufficient size is weighted on the one side and
dropped to the windward of the ship, so that the current or wind will carry the
sail over the ship; the lec side of the sail is then to be weighted and lowered. In
this manner a great sail covering will have been dropped over the sunken ship. A
lighter or other small vessel will now drop and wind a coil of rope or chain round
the sail as close to the lower part of the ship as will tighten and "tuck in" the said
sail round and under the booms, chains, and projections of the said submerged
ship. This method may be varied in detail without departing from the principle
herein described.
In pumping air into the sail bag or diving bag herein-before described, I prefer to
use an apparatus of the following nature:-A paddle steamer having anchored close
to the sunken ship her paddle floats are dismounted, so that the said steamer cannot
move away. Two or more large and weighty diving-bells are to be attached to the
said steamer's axle shaft. These diving-bell-shaped air pumps lift up and down in
the sea without heat or friction over the steamer's sides, and being fitted with
valves and hoses they alternately rise and sink under the action of the crank shaft,
and in doing so they rapidly compress and force the air underneath the sail or bag
herein-before described, and thus displace the water by compression, or by com-
pression and suction, as may casily be understood. I do not here claim originality
for the principle or use of such form of pump, as the same has been used heretofore
by others.

page_text: Having now described and set forth the nature and object of my said Invention
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
have it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein shewn
and described, as such may be varied without departing from the peculiar character
of my Invention; I would also observe that I am aware that the mere use of air
and gas, singly or combined, in bags, cylinders, casks, or pontoons, all requiring the
assistance of divers has been suggested heretofore for the purpose of raising
submerged ships or other bodies, and to such methods I lay no general claim; but
what I do claim as new and useful and as my said Invention is,-
Firstly. The overmastering of the inertia of the submerged ship or other body
by the rapid displacement of the water contained in it without the aid of the
operations of divers, in the manner substantially as herein-before described and set
forth.
Secondly. The employment of a canvas, sail, or other suitable material for
enwrapping and raising the vessel or other body without the aid of divers, in tho
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. The employment of steam or air pressure through hoses combined with
exhaust or suction pipes in combination with the said canvas, sail, or bag, in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as herein-before described."
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Arthur Dillon, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-named Thomas Arthur Dillon
to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same
relates, the above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
HARDINGE GIFFARD,
Solicitor-General,
D
Solicitor-General,
Temple, 30th September 1876.