IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS WHEN AFLOAT, AND IN GEAR FOR WORKING SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Paine, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE
BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS WHEN AFLOAT, AND IN GEAR
FOR WORKING SUCH APPARATUS."
ealed the 22nd August 1876, and dated the 5th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Paine at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th June 1876.
EDWARD PAINE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS WHEN
AFLOAT, AND IN GEAR FOR WORKING SUCH APPARATUS."
My Invention relates to certain improvements upon a former Invention, entitled
"An Improved Apparatus for Facilitating the Cleaning of Vessels' Bottoms while
Afloat," for which I obtained Her Majesty's Letters Patent bearing date 28th
February 1863, No. 570, and consists―
Firstly. In certain novel forms and constructions of float.
Secondly. Of a novel form and construction of scraper to be applied to such floats.
Thirdly. To a novel form and construction of mats and brushes to be applied to
said floats.
Fourthly. To a novel form of keel creeper.
Fifthly. To a novel form of davit.
Sixthly. To certain novel forms of winch and gear for actuating the apparatus
or float to be used in cleaning said vessel.
Firstly. The novel form of float, according to my present Invention, consists of
an elongated sphere forming a hollow vessel of an oval section, and so shaped that
about one foot of its surface will bear against the bottom or side of the ship when
in operation. The float has a buoyancy about equal to eighty-five pounds, and
is divided by six bulkheads or strengthening pieces. Longitudinally through the
centre of the float there runs a bolt, which is cranked in the centre to allow of a
transverse tube passing through the float. The ends of the bolt project through
the ends of the float, which are flattened and provided with wooden discs or
washers. The ends of the bolt are then fitted with screwed eye nuts, which are
fastened by the ends of the bolt being clinched over. Through the transverse
tube before mentioned there passes a second bolt with an eye on one end and an
Price 6d1

page_text: eye nut on the other end. When the float is used as a scrubber it is fitted with
mats or brushes, as herein-after described.
Secondly. The novel form and construction of scraper consists in applying to
the before-mentioned float a series of longitudinal bars, the float being first sheathed
with wood. The longitudinal bars are held in position by transverse bars, and
both bars are so fitted as to form an even surface and to be in position on the float
in manner similar to a spoke-shave iron on its handle.
Thirdly. The novel construction of mat consists in forming the mat of such
pattern that it will cover one half the float, allowing room for lacing to a duplicate
inat which covers the other half of the float. I prefer to use coir fibro as the
material for constructing the mats, although other fibre may be substituted. I
forin cach mat with a strong bandage round the edge so that the incing connecting
the mats may have a secure hold. In some instances, where it is preferred to use
brushes, I construct the brushes of such form that they will fit over the sides of
the float, and in this case I construct the float in three pieces, namely, the main
body of the float and the two ends. I separate the ends from the main body of
the float by wooden discs, and in fastening the brushes or scrapers on to such floats
I use screws which take into such wooden discs. The scrubbers being the mats or
brushes, and the scrapers being the spoke-shave, irou bars may be used separately
and distinctly for cleaning or scraping ships' bottoms or sides, or the scraper may
be used first, and afterwards the mats or brushes may be attached outside of the
scrapers In the latter case the float is made of sufficient extra buoyancy to
compensate for the weight of the scrapers.
Fourthly. The keel creeper I use consists of a float, in which is formed a groove
or trough with anti-friction rollers. On the sides of the float are sheaves, to which
are attached the guy ropes.
Fifthly. The davit I use for working the anti-friction chain herein-after
mentioned consists of a clamp to which is attached a sheave. The clamp is
secured to the rail of the vessel by a screw worked by a suitable handle, or by
a wedge or cotter bar.
Sixthly. I attach by means of a clip hook to the float and short chain an anti-
friction chain consisting of a series of links carrying anti-friction rollers. The other
end of the chain is provided with a transverse bar, the ends of which are fitted
with anti-friction rollere. The winch gear for working the scrubber may consist
of a shaft carrying two cranks set opposite to each other, and having a stroke of,
say, six feet. To one crank is attached the forward hauling line, to the other
crank the after hauling line. The hauling lines may lead direct or through
differential pulleys. The shaft of the winch, which may be horizontal or vertical,
is worked by a toothed wheel driven by a pinion worked by a hand crank shaft,
or the apparatus may be worked by an ordinary windlass lever with toothed
wheel and pawl arrangement, or the hauling lines may be attached to a sliding
block which is moved backwards and forwards by a reversing screw gear.
In operation the anti-friction chain is hooked to the lower side eye of the
scrubber or scraper and taken under the keel. A rope from the transverse bar on
the end of the anti-friction chain passes up and over the sheave on the davit at one
side of the vessel, and the rope from the upper side eye of the scrubber passes up
on the other side of the vessel. The respective ends of the scrubber are attached to
the ends of a line passing through a block on the bobstay and through a block attached
on a spar over the stern. The action is thus: A group of men by walking forward
and then aft work the scrubber fore and aft as required. Men placed attending
the ends of the transverse rope adjust the position of the scrubber on the bottom
or side of the ship. Where the winch or reversing screw gear is used, the fore and
aft working line is connected to the crank arms or sliding block of such gear.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patont filed by the
said Edward Paine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th November
1876.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
EDWARD PAINE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF NAVIGABLE VESSELS WHEN
AFLOAT, AND IN GEAR FOR WORKING SUCH APPARATUS."
My Invention relates to certain improvements upon a former Invention entitled
"An Improved Apparatus for Facilitating the Cleaning of Vessels' Bottoms while
Afloat," for which I obtained Her Majesty's Letters Patent, bearing date 28th February
1863, No. 570, and consists
Firstly. In certain novel forins and constructions of float.
Secondly. Of a novel form and construction of scraper to be applied to such floats.
Thirdly. To a novel form and construction of mats and brushes to be applied to
said floats.
Fourthly. To a novel form of keel creeper.
Fifthly. To a novel form of davit.
Sixthly. To certain novel forms of winch and gear for actuating the apparatus or
float to be used in cleaning said vessel.
Firstly. The novel form of float, according to my present Invention, consists of an
elongated sphere forming a hollow vessel of an oval section and so shaped that
about one foot of its surface will bear against the bottom or side of the ship when
in operation. The float has a buoyancy about equal to eighty-five pounds, and is
divided by six bulkheads or strengthening pieces. Longitudinally through the
centre of the float there runs a bolt, which is cranked in the centre to allow of a
transverse tube passing through the Hoat. The ends of the bolt project through the
ends of the float, which are flattened and provided with wooden discs or washers.
The ends of the bolt are then fitted with screwed eye nuts, which are fastened by
the ends of the bolt being clinched over. Through the transverse tube before
mentioned there passes a second bolt with an eye on one end and an eye nut on
the other end. When the float is used as a scrubber it is fitted with mats or
brushes, as herein-after described.
Secondly. The novel form and construction of scraper consists in applying to the
before-mentioned float a series of longitudinal bars, the float being first sheathed
with wood. The longitudinal bars are held in position by transverse bars, and both
bars are so fitted as to form an even surface and to be in position on the float in
manner similar to a spoke-shave iron on its handle.
Thirdly. The novel construction of mat consists in forming the mat of such
pattern that it will cover one half the float, allowing room for lacing to a duplicate
inat which covers the other half of the float. prefer to use coir fibre as the
material for constructing the mats, although other fibre may be substituted. I
form each mat with a strong bandage round the edge so that the lacing connecting
the mats may have a secure hold. In some instances, where it is preferred to use
brushes, I construct the brushes of such form that they will fit over the sides of the
float, and in this case I construct the float in three pieces, nainely, the main body of
the float and the two ends. I separate the ends from the main body of the float
by wooden discs, and in fastening the brushes or scrapers on to such floats I use
screws, which take into such wooden dises. The scrubbers being the mats or
brushes and the scrapers being the spoke-shave, iron bars may be used separately
and distinctly for cleaning or scraping ships' bottoms or sides, or the scraper may be
used first, and afterwards the mats or brushes may be attached outside of the.
scrapers. In the latter case the float is made of sufficient extra buoyancy to com-
pensate for the weight of the scrapers.
Fourthly. The keel creeper I use consists of a float, in which is formed a groove
or trough with anti-friction rollers. On the sides of the float are sheaves, to which
are attached the guy ropes.
Fifthly. The davit I use for working the anti-friction chain herein-after men-

page_text: tioned consists of a clamp, to which is.attached a sheave. The clamp is secured to
the rail of the vessel by a screw worked by a suitable handle, or by a wedge or
cotter bar.
Sixthly. I attach to the float by means of a clip hook and short chain an anti-
friction chain consisting of a series of links carrying anti-friction rollers. The other
end of the chain is provided with a transverse bar, the ends of which are fitted with
anti-friction rollers. The winch gear for working the scrubber may consist of a
shaft carrying two cranks set opposite to each other, and having a stroke of, say,
six feet. To one crank is attached the forward hauling line, to the other crank the
after hauling line. The hauling lines may lead direct or through differential pulleys.
The shaft of the winch, which may be horizontal or vertical, is worked by a
toothed wheel driven by a pinion worked by a hand crank shaft, or the apparatus
may be worked by an ordinary windlass lever with toothed wheel and pawl
arrangement, or the hauling lines may be attached to a sliding block, which is
moved backwards and forwards by a reversing screw gear.
In operation the anti-friction chain is hooked to the lower side eye of the scrubber
or scraper and taken under the keel. A rope from the transverse bar on the end of the
anti-friction chain passes up and over the sheave on the davit at one side of the vessel,
and the rope from the upper side eye of the scrubber passes up on the other side of the
vessel. The respective ends of the scrubber are attached to the ends of a line passing
through a block on the bobstay and through a block attached on a spar over the stern.
The action is thus: A group of men by walking forward and then aft work the
scrubber fore and aft as required. Men placed attending the ends of the transverse
rope adjust the position of the scrubber on the bottom or side of the ship. Where
the winch or reversing screw gear is used the fore and aft working line is connected
to the crank arms or sliding block of such gear.
The before-going being the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to describe more in detail how the same may be carried out into
practical effect, and for that purpose I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings,
thoroughly explaining the nature of any present improvements. Like letters and
figures denote similar parts throughout the various views.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the novel form of float constructed according to
my Invention.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the novel form of scraper constructed according to my
Invention.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate the novel form of mat constructed according to my
Invention.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a float to carry brushes.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the forms of davit used for working the side ropes.
Figure 14 illustrates the anti-friction chain for passing under the keel.
Figures 15 and 16 represent arrangements of winch gear for working the
scrubber.
Figures 17 and 18 represent reverse motion gear for working the scrubber.
Figure 19 represents a bell-crank lever motion for working the scrubber.
Figure 20 is a side elevation of a vessel showing the leading lines for working
the scrubber.
Figure 21 is a midship section of a vessel showing the track of the scrubber on
the bottom.
Upon reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings it will be seen that the
float, according to my Invention, consists of a tube A of galvanised sheet iron about
two feet long and about thirty-three and a half inches in circumference, compressed
to about thirteen inches in depth and eight inches in width. The tube is fitted with
the ends B, and is provided with a vertical tube C about seven-eighths of an inch
in diameter, and with six bulkheads or strengthening pieces D. Through the
tube C there passes a bolt E provided with an eye at one end and an eye nut at
the other end. F is a longitudinal bolt which passes through the float and which
is cranked to clear the tube C, and firmly soldered to the ends of the float at A¹. It

page_text: is provided with an eye nut at either end. The float has a buoyancy about equal
to eighty-five pounds. The scrubber has a bearing surface of one superficial foot.
Upon reference to Figures 5 and 6 it will be seen that the float shown is similar
to that described in Figures 1 to 4, but as it has to carry the weight of the scraper
an additional buoyancy is given. The float is sheathed with wood G, and after-
wards fitted with a series of longitudinal bars H. The longitudinal bars are held
in position by transverse bars I, and both bars are so fitted as to form an even sur-
face, and to be in position on the float in manner similar to a spoke-shave iron on
its handle.
Upon reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9, it will be seen that the novel form of
mat consists in forming the mat J of such a pattern that it will cover one half
of the float (see Figure 4), duplicate mats being laced together. The mat J is
constructed with a bandage J¹ to form a strong edge to which the lacing may be
secured. The mats are formed by preference of coir fibre, but where it is preferred
to use brushes I construct the float as shown at Figures 10 and 11. In this case
the float is made in three pieces A, A, A. The ends A2 are separated from the
main body of the float by wooden discs K. The wooden discs are bound with an
iron band with holes tapped through. The brushes L (sec Figure 11) are then
screwed to the wooden discs K. The mats, as shown at Figures 7, 8, and 9, may be
applied to the float, as shown at Figuros 2 and 4, or they may be applied outside of
the scraper shown at Figures 5 and 6.
Upon reference to Figures 12 and 13 it will be seen that the davit I use consists
of a clamp M and a sheave N. The clamp is secured to the rail by a screw O, as
shown at Figure 12, or by a wedge or cotter bar, as shown at Figure 13.
The
My improved anti-friction chain will be seen upon reference to Figure 14, and
consists of a series of links currying anti-friction rollers P. The end of the chain
which attaches to the scrubber is provided with clip hooks Q, and the other end of
the chain is provided with a transverse bar R with anti-friction rollers R¹.
winch gear for working the scrubber may consist of a crank shaft or a disc having
a stroke of, say, six feet, such as shown at Figures 15 and 16. S is the forward
hauling line, and T the after hauling line.
Upon reference to Figures 17 and 18, a is a disc provided with spikes or teeth b.
The disc a is driven by three pinions c, c', and d. The pinions c, c¹, are on the
same shaft, the pinion c taking into the spikes or teeth b of the wheel a, and the
pinion c gearing into the pinion d from which it obtains its motion. The pinion c
alternately gears on the inside of the teeth band on the outside of the teeth b. This
change is effected by the shaft carrying the pinions c, c', being free to slide in the
slot c.
This takes place when the part marked h of the wheel a arrives at e. The
result is a rotary motion of the handle gives a reciprocating motion to the hauling
lines S, T.
Upon reference to Figure 19 it will be seen that the bell-crank lever motion may
be applied to work the scrubber, S being the forward hauling line, and T the after
hauling line. The lines are belayed at Vand left with a certain amount of slack for
adjusting as required.
Upon reference to Figure 20, A is the scrubber; S, forward hauling line; T, after
hauling line; W, transverse or thwart ship rope; P, anti-friction chain; Y, bell-crank
lever or triangle for working scrubber. It will be seen that the scrubber is shown
in Figure 20 in position for working amidships, and also in position for lowering
forward.
Upon reference to Figure 21 the dotted lines Z show the track of the scrubber
on the ship's bottom.
That the operation of my Invention may be understood, I will describe its
application as illustrated at Figures 20 and 21. Take a two inch hemp line and
reeve it in one of the blocks n on the stand of the triangle, and carry it through
the clamp at o on the nearest arin of the triangle, then lead it down to p and up
through the clamp at o' on the other arm of the triangle, then through a second
block n, and reeve the line through the block m on the spar over the stern and

page_text: attach it to the scrubber. The other end of the line reeves through the block X
attached to the bobstay, and is then attached to the other end of the scrubber.
Attach the thwart ship line W to the scrubber, and also attach the anti-friction
chain P with its attendant line. Lower the scrubber overboard, as shown on the
forecastle of the vessel. Before commencing the fore-and-aft movement slack
the anti-friction line about twelve inches, and when commencing to clean forward lot
the arms of the triangle be placed fair with each other, then pull down the fore
arm, which will cause the scrubber to go about three feet aft. If otherwise used
the anti-friction chain will be likely to slip off the forefoot, then pull the other
arm down which will take the scrubber six feet forward, then slack the anti-friction
line about six inches for every stroke of the triangle. When cleaning the bows or
run the line attached to the upper eye of the scrubber should be left slack, or it
will pull it from the ship. The man attending this line should stand opposite to the
man attending the anti-friction line, and see by the trending of the line that the
scrubber passes him every time it is hauled forward or aft. When cleaning
the body of the ship the line should be kept moderately tight to prevent the
scrubber going twice in the same place.
The action is fully illustrated by the dotted lines Z on Figure 21. The side or
transverse lines are led through the sheaves of the davit, such as shown at
Figures 12 and 13, which are placed on the rail at X.
Having now fully described the nature, object, and purposes of this my Invention,
and shown how the same may be carried out into practical effect, I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details, or to the dimensions
or proportions, as the same may be considerably altered without departing from
my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and secured to mo by Letters
Patent as aforesaid is-
Firstly. The peculiar form and construction of float, such as shown at Figures
1, 2, 3, and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, substantially as set forth and
described in the before-going Specification.
Secondly. The novel form and construction of scraper, such as shown at Figures 5
and 6 of the accompanying Drawings, substantially as set forth and described in
the before-going Specification.
Thirdly. The novel form and construction of mat, such as shown at Figures
2, 4, 7, 8, and 9 of the accompanying Drawings, substantially as set forth and
described in the before-going Specification.
Fourthly. The novel construction of float and brushes, such as shown at Figures
10 and 11 of the accompanying Drawings, substantially as set forth and described
in the before-going Specification.
Fifthly. The novel construction of davits, such as shown at Figures 12 and 13 of
the accompanying Drawings, substantially as set forth and described in the before-
going Specification.
Sixthly. The novel construction of anti-friction chain, such as shown at Figure 14,
having a transverse bar, such as R, substantially as set forth and described in the
before-going Specification.
Seventhly. The improvements in apparatus for cleaning the bottoms and sides
of navigable vessels when afloat, and the gear for working such apparatus, sub-
stantially as described in the before-going Specification, and illustrated by the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Paine, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.