Improved Means for Steering and Manoeuvring Ships and Boats.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Steering and Manoeuvring Ships and Boats.
DAVID BALMFORD No: 20 St. Andrews Place Bradford Yorkshire Retired
Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
To build a ship or boat on the principle of a trycicle. Two of the boats are to
be firmly conected together, at a sufficient distance from each other so that a
paddle can be placed between them; a shaft is to be fixed across the centre of the
two boats and through the centre of the paddle, there may be a paddle also placed
on the outside of each boat, so that the boat may be worked with one or
three paddles. The other boat or float is placed in a position, so as to govern
or guide the other two boats, and conected with them at two points of the said
shaft.
The governing boat or float to be worked with worm gearing in conection
with an universal joint. The governing arrangement is applicable to single ships
or boats.
Dated this 15th day of May 1891.
DAVID BALMFORD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Steering and Manoeuvring Ships and Boats.
I DAVID BALMFORD of 20 St. Andrews Place Bradford in the County of York
Retired Manufacturing Chemist, 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 :-
To build a ship or boat on the principal of a tricycle. Two of the boats are to
be firmly connected together at a sufficient distance from each other so that a
paddle can be placed between them; a shaft is to be fixed across the centre of the
two boats, and through the centre of the paddle. There may be a paddle also
placed on the outside of each boat, so that the boat may be worked with one
or three paddles. The other boat or "float" is placed in a position so as to
govern or guide the other two boats and connected with them at two points of the
said shaft.
The governing boat or float to be worked with worm gearing in connection with
an universal joint. The governing arrangement applicable to single ships or
boats.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a
complete description of same, reference being made to the accompanying drawings,
forming a part of this Specification in which,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tricycle boat having the float or vane applied to a float
or third boat for steering or manoeuvring the whole, the vane being applied in a
horizontal position.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same partly in section.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 Sheet 2, are plan, side elevation, and end view, of a boat having
the float or vane applied in a vertical position for steering or manoeuvring the
same. By setting the two vanes at right angles in a single paddle boat.it may the
turned on its own axis.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 Sheet 3 are plan view side elevation, and end elevation or cross
section of two boats, at a distance apart, connected with each other, and having the
floats or vanes applied thereto.

page_text: Figs. 9, 10 and 11, Sheet 4 are plan view side elevation partly in section and
end view of duplicate boats connected.
Referring now to Sheet 1. At 1-1. are the boats, spaced at a distance apart,
and secured to each other by means of the framing or stays 2 2. At 3 is a paddle
carried on a cross shaft, operated by the chain wheel 4 chain 5 and wheel 6 on the
axis of the cranks 7, 7, the latter being driven as paddles, by the feet of the riders
seated at 8, 8. At 9 are handles by which the riders steady themselves and at 10
a hand wheel for steering which by the shaft. 11 worm 12 and worm wheel 13
turn and direct the third boat 14 through which the direction or steering of the
whole is effected, and controlled. The boats 1. 1. are without keel, the
boat 14 has a keel as shewn in the drawings. The steering float or vane 15 is
in this case, applied in horizontal position, to the third boat 14 and acts as a deep
keel.
Referring now to Sheet 2 whereon is clearly illustrated, the application of the
float or vane 14 but in this case in a vertical position, being carried by a boss 18
and at its lower end is a guard 15 which serve as a protection for the end of the
keel, and a hole therein serves as a guide eye, for the stud 16 the upper end of said
float or vane 14 is carried in the long collar or boss 18 bolted to the deck, and is
provided with a worm wheel 20 gearing with the worm 21 the latter being worked
by the cross shaft 22 and hand wheels (or one of them) 23 so as to turn the vane,
in any direction, requisite for steering the boat or vessel, and said float or vane can
be applied at one or both ends of a vessel, so as to avoid necessity of turning the
boat or vessel round, and by affecting a prompt steerage control from both ends
of a boat, to effect more rapid manoeuvring for purpose of averting collisions or
other dangers.
Referring now to Sheet 3. Whereon is illustrated a double boat, adapted for
high speed at sea, the two boats 1. 1. are spaced and secured by the framing 2 at
a distance apart, the paddle wheel 3 being midship or central to the two boats.
At 24 is shewn the driving shaft, and 25-25 the cranks the like construction of
device for steering as shewn on Sheet 2, and already described, is employed for
steering either from one or both ends, or the like steering gear can be applied to
each end of each boat, at a, b, c, d in this case the boats would require a keel and
there would be four steering devices available on immergency.
Referring now to Sheet 4, thercon is illustrated a life boat, two boats 1-1.
spaced as described, and having central paddle wheel, driven by chain gear and
chain wheels 4 and 6. The motive power in this case being supplied by the crew
through the agency of the treadle cranks 28 so that the boat can be manned by a
scratch crew or men not skilled in use of oars. At 29 are seats on which each of
the crew partly sit or "lean" and are at such height, from the bottom of the boat
as to admit of each man having an effective tread on the down sweep of the crank,
as on the latter passing over its higher dead centre the operator can then lean
forwards holding by the hand rails 30 throwing his full weight and strength on to
the crank. The hand rails also provide a safe hold, for each of the crew so as to
save any of them, being unshipped in rough waters or breakers. This construction
further fully utilises the power of the crew because the paddle by reason of its
position midship, is always immersed and there is great stability by reason of the
width of beam. This boat is fitted with the steering gear, already fully described
and as shewn in the drawing. It is considered preferable the boats should as
shewn be without keels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination of the boats 1-1 having central paddle wheel propelled by
cranks and chain gear together with the float or vane 14 controlled by shaft and
worm gear all substantially as herein and illustrated by drawings annexed and
marked Sheet 1.

page_text: 2. The general construction combination and arrangement of steering appliances
as herein fully described and illustrated by Sheet 2 when applied to one, or to both
ends of a boat for purpose set forth.
3. The general construction and arrangement of twin boats, having central paddle
wheels operated by cranks, driven by steam, manual or other power and controlled
by steering floats or vanes and gear as herein fully described and illustrated by
Sheets 3 and 4 of drawings annexed.
Dated the 17th day of December 1891
DAVID BALMFORD.