Improvements in the Construction of Cargo-carrying Steamers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 10th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Cargo-carrying Steamers.
I, EMIL HUGO OSCAR ROBERT ROPNER the Younger of Stockton-on-Tees in
the County of Durham, Shipbuilder, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to novel constructions of certain parts of cargo-
carrying steamers designed to afford in an economical way considerable longitudinal
strength and at the same time to add materially to the commercial value of the
vessel by affording additional cargo space above the ordinary level of the weather
deck in such a manner as to obviate the obstruction to stowage of cargo therein.
I make the beams of the weather deck (hereinafter called the weather deck beams)
with parts thereof arranged in an upward direction which parts have plating so
applied and secured to them as to form an upward extension (or extensions) of the
ordinary hold or cargo space.
The accompanying drawings are only intended to illustrate some of the many
forms in which effect can be given to my invention which also embodies various
features hereinafter more particularly referred to.
Fig. 1 shows a partial transverse section of a weather deck with upward extension
of hold or cargo space in which the weather deck beams which may be of any
suitable cross section and which may vary in section and in strength at different
parts of their length according to position and stress are made each in one piece
attached at the ends to the ordinary frames A of the vessel, B7 being fore and aft
plating applied and secured to the vertical portions of the weather deck beams.
Fig. 2 is a view in a plane at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the weather deck beams
made each in two principal parts connected at the centre by fish plates BB.
Fig. 4 shows a partial transverse section of a vessel with upper part of my
improved construction according to which the weather deck beams are made to add
cargo space to that of the cargo hold below by forming the said beams with
upwardly extending parts at a distance from their outer ends to which upwardly
extending parts plating is applied.
Fig. 5 shows a partial central longitudinal vertical section of the same vessel.
A is the ordinary frame of the vessel, extending from the water ballast tank to
the gunwale. B B B B B B B are the ordinary shell plates, B7 is fore and
aft plating secured to the upwardly directed parts of the weather deck beams, C, C,
which, instead of being as is usual carried across the ship in a direct line straight
or as nearly straight as the ordinary camber demands, are of the peculiar form
according to which at each of the two sides of the ves-el they extend only partly
across the vessel just below the weather deck, the length of these portions being
proportional to the proportion of additional hold space that it is desired to provide
above the ordinary deck level, then there are upward extensions of the beams, one
at each side, these being connected by a middle portion that runs in a horizontal
direction or as nearly so as corresponds to the camber required across the middle
part of the ship. Each beam may be made in one or more pieces, in the section it
is shown made in three pieces properly fastened together and stiffened by gusset
plates, CC or by any other arrangement of gusset plate or stiffening device that
may be convenient. The top of the hold space can be plated over except at those
parts where it is required to have hatchways as at D, which in conjunction with

page_text: the plating B' secured to the upright portions of the beams C (without or with
plating above and secured to the middle transverse portions of the said beams C)
forms a longitudinal girder that is itself worked into the construction of the ship
and adds materially to the longitudinal strength of the ship.
Figs. 6 and 7 show another construction designed to afford the desired proportion
of hold space above the ordinary deck level. Parts corresponding to those
represented in Figs. 4 and 5 are marked with the same reference letters and
numbers as in those figures. In the present arrangement the weather deck beams C
are made of approximately the same section as the frames A, that is to say, of
practically rectangular shape, but with the camber needful to afford the required
camber of deck, and in lieu of ordinary beam knees being einployed the beams are
shewn attached to the frames by gusset plates.
Figs. 8 and 9 show another modification of my invention in which parts
corresponding to those previously shown are similarly marked. In this modification
the weather deck is formed with weather deck beams C composed of straight or
nearly straight portions so relatively arranged as to give to the deck an abnormal
slope adapted to facilitate the flow of grain coal or like cargo and plating is applied
and secured to the said peculiarly formed weather deck beams as represented in the
drawings from which it will be seen that in other respects the structure is generally
the same as that shown in Figures 6 and 7.
Figs. 10 and 11 show another construction according to my invention with the
same lettering applied as in the previous examples. In this case the weather deck
beams C are made rectangular at the parts adjacent to the upward portion of the
cargo hold whence they are sloped downwards towards the ordinary gunwale of the
vessel the formation being such that it in combination with the plating applied and
secured to the weather deck beams and the other parts as illustrated produces a
cargo space above the ordinary weather deck level partly rectangular and partly
sloping to allow of storage of bale cargo or flow of grain cargo and at the same
time to afford convenience for working the ship.
It is to be noted that in a vessel of my improved construction the horizontal or
sloping plating need only be of deck plate thickness and construction whereas in
vessels wherein the main frames are carried up to the gunwale level of the upper
cargo space and the sheer strake is placed in that position the whole of the upper
portion of the lower cargo space has to be plated with plating of shell plate thick-
ness. Furthermore the rectangular form of holds resulting from some of my
constructions will be found superior for stowage as it will enable bales of cotton
and suchlike goods to be stowed without such loss as arises from rounded corners in
the upper portion of cargo space below the ordinary weather deck level. Where
the McIntyre system of water ballast is adopted or the vessel is not fitted with
water ballast at all in portions of the ship my construction will enable the whole
frame from the keel to be used in combination with my construction of weather
deck beams as set forth which would be impossible in the case of a vessel shaped
with double curvatures and in which the main frames extended from the upper part
of the upper cargo space, a construction which would not be desirable even if
practicable in the case of a vessel of large tonnage owing to the great length
of the frames and the numerous curvatures that would be required in that great
length.
As will be evident in carrying out my invention the details of construction may
be more or less modified without departure from its essential characteristics thus
for examples the weather deck beams may be of any convenient section or sections
or combination of sections; they may be of different sections and strengths at
different parts of their length according to position and stress and my invention
may be applied in the building of steamers having hulls of various constructions
other than those indicated in the illustrative drawings appended to this Provisional
Specification.
In some cases I adopt a form such as indicated by Fig. 12. Furthermore I in
some cases fit plates perforated or not at the ends of the hatches or in other

page_text: positions in a transverse direction these being so arranged as to form transverse ties
between the two opposite walls of the upward extension of the hold or cargo
carrying space (see Fig. 13).
As will be evident the hatchways might be of less width than the upward
extension of the cargo space, which in some cases might extend entirely around
the hatchways-the width of the upward extensions of the cargo spaces in
relation to that of the ship being dependent upon the requirements of individual
cases.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Cargo-carrying Steamers.
I, EMIL HUGO OSCAR ROBERT ROPNER the Younger, of Stockton-on-Tees,
in the County of Durham, Shipbuilder, 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 :-
My invention has reference to novel constructions of certain parts of cargo
carrying steamers designed to afford in an economical way considerable longitudinal
strength and at the same time to add materially to the commercial value of the
vessel by affording additional cargo space above the ordinary level of the weather
deck in such a manner as to obviate the obstruction to stowage of cargo therein.
I make the beams of the weather deck (hereinafter called the weather deck beams)
with parts thereof arranged in an upward direction which parts have plating 80
applied and secured to them as to form an upward extension (or extensions) of the
ordinary hold or cargo space.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the accompanying drawings shew several examples of
weather deck beams which according to my invention are adapted to be secured at
their respective ends 1-1 to the ordinary frames of a vessel's hull but instead of
being as is usual carried across the ship in a direct line straight or as nearly
straight as the ordinary camber demands, are so formed that at each of the two
sides of the vessel they extend only partly across the vessel, viz. on each side to
the base of the central upward formation designed to afford the increased cargo
space. As will be seen each beam is constructed with two parts 2-2 to which
deck plating can be attached with two upwardly extending parts 3-3 to which
fore and aft plating can be secured, and with a central upper part 4 to which also
plating can be secured except where hatchways are required, so that the said
parts 3 and 4 in conjunction with the plating attached to the parts 3 (and with or
without plating secured to the parts 4) will afford additional hold space.
I will now describe some exainples of upper portions of vessels constructed with
my improved weather decks.
Fig. 7 shows in transverse section a weather deck with beams having upwardly
extending parts 3 a central upper part 4 and lower parts 2 the latter attached at
their ends to the ordinary frames A of the vessel, plating 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 being
applied and secured to the beams.
Fig. 8 is a view in a plane at right angles to Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 7 but showing the weather deck beams
made as represented in Fig. 2 namely each in two parts connected at the centre by
fish plates 11, or by scarph joint.
Fig. 10 shows a partial transverse section of a vessel having the weather deck
beams of my improved construction in combination with the other parts thus

page_text: forming a structure the cargo capacity of which is greater than the ordinary hold
capacity by the amount of space included within the upwardly extended central
formation of my improved deck beams.
Fig. 11 shows a partial central longitudinal vertical section of the same vessel.
A is the ordinary frame of the vessel, extending from the water ballast tank to the
gunwale. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are ordinary shell plates. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
and 19 are plates secured to my improved weather deck beams (marked 1, 2, 3, 4).
The top of the auxiliary cargo space is plated over except at those parts where
it is required to have hatchways as at 20.
Figs. 12 and 13 show another construction designed to afford hold space above
the ordinary deck level. Parts corresponding to those represented in Figs. 10
and 11 are marked with the same reference letters and numbers as in those figures.
In the present arrangement the weather deck beams are made of bulb angles as
usual in deck beams and with the camber needful to afford the required camber of
deck, and in lieu of ordinary beam knees being employed are attached to the
frames by gusset plates as shewn.
Figures 14 and 15 show another modification of my invention in which parts
corresponding to those previously shown are similarly marked. In this modification
the weather deck is formed with weather deck beams composed of straight or
nearly straight portions 2, 3 and 4 so relatively arranged as to give to the deck
carried by the portions 2 such a slope as will facilitate the flow of grain coal or
like cargo and plating is applied and secured to the said weather deck beams as
represented in the drawings, from which it will be seen that in other respects the
structure is generally the same as that shown in Figures 12 and 13.
Figures 16 and 17 show another construction according to my invention with the
same lettering applied as in the previous examples. In this case the weather deck
beams comprising the parts 2 3 and 4 are made without camber at the parts 2"
adjacent to the base of the upwardly extending portions and from the parts 2ª are
sloped downwards towards the ordinary gunwale of the vessel the formation being
such that it in combination with the plating applied and secured to the weather
deck beams and the other parts as illustrated produces a cargo space whose tep is
partly horizontal and partly inclined to allow of stowage of bale cargo or flow of
grain cargo and at the same time to afford convenience for working the ship.
It is to be noted that in a vessel of my improved construction the plating 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 need only be of deck plate thickness, whereas in vessels wherein the frames
of the bull are extended either partially or entirely over the cargo space the whole
of the plating on such extended framing requires to be of shell plate thickness.
Furthermore my mode of constructions is superior for stowage as it will enable
bales of cotton and such like goods to be stowed without such loss as arises when
the bull frames are rounded. Where the McIntyre system of water ballast is
adopted or the vessel is not fitted with water ballast at all in portions of the ship
my construction will enable frames whole from the keel to be used in combination
with my construction of weather deck beams as set forth.
As will be evident in carrying out my invention the details of construction may
be more or less modified without departure from its essential characteristics, thus
for examples my improved weather deck beams may be of any convenient section
or sections or combination of sections; they may be of different sections and
strengths at different parts of their length according to position and stress and they
may (as I have illustrated by way of example in the drawings) be formed of more
than one piece suitably jointed and my invention may be applied in the building of
vessels having hulls of various constructions other than those indicated in the
drawings.
In some cases I adopt a form such as indicated by Fig. 18. Furthermore I in
some cases fit in a transverse direction plates perforated or not as for example at
the ends of the hatchways these being so arranged as to form transverse ties
between the two opposite walls of the upward extension of the hold or cargo
carrying space (see Fig. 19).

page_text: As will be evident the width of the hatchways may be equal to or less than the
width of the upward extension the latter being the preferable arrangement as it
admits of additional strength due to the retention of the side portions of the top
plating, the width of the upward extension of the cargo spaces in relation to that
of the ship being dependent upon the requirements of individual cases.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect I would have it understood that I do not claim broadly as of my
present invention the building of a vessel with an extension or extensions of the
hold or cargo carrying space above the level of the weather deck but my invention
relates to the improvements hereinabove indicated and hereinafter claimed in the
claiming clauses of this my Specification and I declare that what I do claim in
cargo carrying steamers in which the cargo carrying space consists of a portion
above and a portion below the ordinary level of the weather deck is as follows:-
-
1. The combination with a hull of ordinary kind of a weather deck constructed
with beams secured at their ends to the ordinary frames A. of the hull, made with
parts 2 ou which deck plates are secured, with upwardly extending parts 3 to which
plating is fastened, and with central upper parts 4 to which also plating is or may
be secured (except where hatchways occur), said upwardly extending and central
upper parts combined with the plating secured thereto forming upward extension
of the ordinary hold space.
2. The use in the construction of weather decks of beams formed as hereinabove
described and illustrated so as with the plating secured thereto to form additions
to the ordinary hold spaces besides adding strength to the vessels.
3. The construction of upper portion wherein the weather deck beams are made
with parts 3 and 4 constituting an upward central extension which parts having
plating so applied and secured to them as to add to the ordinary hold or cargo
space in the manner described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8
of the accompanying drawings, or modified as in Fig. 9.
4. The construction shewn in and described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11 of
the drawings.
5. The construction of upper portion wherein the weather deck beams comprising
parts 3 and 4 constituting an upward central extension are made of bulb angles but
with the camber needful to afford the required camber of deck, and are attached to
the framing of the hull by gusset plates instead of beam knees substantially as
described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The construction of upper portion comprising weather deck beams and plating
applied thereto wherein the weather deck beams are composed of straight or nearly
straight portions 2, 3 and 4 so relatively arranged as to give to the deck carried by
the portions 2 such a slope as will facilitate the flow of grain, coal or like cargo
substantially as described with reference to and shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. The construction of upper portion substantially as described with reference to
and illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of February 1896.
W. Lloyd Wise,
R. ROPNER, JNR.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.